The Pensacola journal., 1908-02-18
Reasonableness and
Abuse of the Lobby.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal
scents danger OF the pendulum swing
ing 700 far IN the campaign against
ioobies and lo05yisn, and remarks
with 10 small degree Of wisdom:
Az a general principle the paid lob
byists do not constitute a factor for
the betterment Of the public welfare
As q rule. legislatures would get
aicng better, from the peoples poin6
OF view. Il paid lobbyists would absent
themselves altogether But electing
citizen 70 the Legislature OF MS state
does not vest aim with universal
knowledge. There are interests and
enterprises that ne is unfamiliar with,
and concerning which even this rep
resentdtiye OF the people needs instruc-
ton.
Too often rhe newIy-eIected- IegisIa-
Tor goes 70 tne scene of his duties with
2 mind filled 20 the osfIn with inaccu-
rate Information. even with biased and
p~ejuiiced views entertained wholly
because OF a lack CT knowledge bear
ing upon certain subjects. His vote.
while cropping IN this sort OF mental
darkness, or laboring under the Infu-
ence or ignorant prejudice. Is just as
inimical 20 the public welfare As il i
we're obtained oy the arts and wiles
Ol SOME CIlE o. the uISC4 GpALOu5
among paid lobbyists
Being mere men after all. Iegisla-
tors are as much in need of instruc-
tion AMI enlightenment as are other
citizens and as they are called upon
70 act for Jhs common good, X Is es-
seHtial that they should receive this
instruction.
Therein. The Commercial Appeal is
correct No question OF grave concern
comes before a legislative body, but
what representatives of affected inter
ests can, with propriety, go 70 the
scene of legislative action, and throw
light upon the various points under
discussion. On this line, the eX-
change quoted says:
The lobbyist. paid c. otherwise. IS
possessed or lnOwledge concerning
the matter that brings him 70 uhe Leg
isiature. He can, at least, give his
side OF the question, and with one
side known, il Is not difficult TO To-
cate sources possessed OF intelligence
upon the other side. Thus. II legssla-
tors viii but Use the lobbyists and
their work in the right way. the lobby
lists viii prove OF ;ncalculable value;
but If they permit the lobbyists 70 use
them in the wrong way, then the pub
lic is certain 10 suffer.
MississIppi's legislature has been /
dealing with this question, the result |
nc ing a determination not 10 take !
drastic action against the lobbyists at |
present, which IS wise; for all lobby
lists are not corrupt lobbyists, AL
while nobody condones or excuses a. |
sifice or corruption IN securing vote. |
still every body admits that there are /
h. nf Trz<z
Legislature when it is both wise and |
advantageous TO place informatl0 0a |
and Instruction before the members
IL the work of getting this sort O. |
information before legislatures couId |
be done without paying somebody ID |
do II, the question OF the lobbyists |
would be very simple indeed; bu. con- |
ditions are such that no interest seems /
well able 10 represent itself save by /
employing some one skilled in the
work Of appearing for another. There |
fore, II seems that some one has 20 |
be paid for this service, and the re-
.,IfL is that Legislatures find them. /
selves almcst obliged TO suffer the |
presence OF the undesirable in order |
TO receive the benefits coming from |
the desirable class Of lobbyists.
In its concluding statement. the |
Ccmmercial-Appea touches the root of
the evil. The paid lobbyist is very apt |
20 become the professional lobbyist
even though he may not know it-with /
the purpose not so much of /
guiding the legislator Alright, and /
aiding him Ia his work, but OF !
winning for his principalS-at what
ever cost 10 the public-in selfish
desire to promote his own, success.
Lobbyism in this senSeEhas been gross
" abused, and it is to the interest OF
great corporate interests. not less
than the public, 70 see that lobbyism
Is properly regulated by its principals
in order to avert what some regard as
a necessity of entirely prohibiting the
lobby.
A A1.lo,on;o.o1o- - = I