The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-23
LOBBY AT AN END
Senate Passes Bill With Few
Amendments.
Judge Price Would Have 1t APP
ply to State Officers.
HE is VOTED DOWN.
Feeble Protests of Members Pass
Unheeded.
An Adjournment Is Taken Until
Monday Afternoon.

The senate in committee of the
whole late Friday afternoon finished
considering the anti-lobby bill present
ed by the joint committee of both
houses and it was adopted with but
slight changes in a number of un-
essential particulars. When it is taken
up in the regular session there will
undoubtedly be further discussion or
its provisions. for it will be subject to
amendment and debate.
In the afternoon session there de-
ve1oped strong opposition to Senator
Prices proposed amendment, making
the bill applicable to lobbyists appear
ing before the governor and the vari-
Gus state boards and commissions
This amendment was presented just
prior to the noon recess and at that
time it seemed to be received with ia
vor by many senators. But whether
1t was due to what the senators ate
for luncheon or because they picked
the com bination on the proposed
amendment during the noon hour, it
was not ascertained, but when the ses-
sion was resumed Senator Prices pro-
vision was frowned upon and was lost.
At the commencement of the con-
SideratiOn of the bill in committee OF
the whole during the afternoon, Sena-
tor Stavely asked Mr.. Price if the
governor wants this provision in the
bill to protect him from candidates for
appointment to state offces?"
The senator from Clark county re-
piled that the bill before the senate is
supposed to be a general lobby bill and
as such it should apply to all sorts of
lobbying in state affairs.
Senator Potter raised the point of
order that the amendment should not
be considered on the grounds that 1t
was not germaine to the subject un-
der consideration, inasmuch as the bill
IL +sxv1 1-lN -Se-Te-
before the executive departments.
In opposing this point Senator Price
declared that the title of the bill could
be changed at any time by the sena-
tors and while under consideration the
bill could be broadened to include the
governor and state offices. 1.-The pur-
pose of the measure said Senator
Price, els to do away with pernicious
state government. Personally, admit,
I do not take very kindly to this sort
of legislation at all. The real way to
protect the senate against evils of this
character is through the individual
senator himself. If a senator wants to
be lobbied he will be in spite of the
bill. If he doesn't want to be lobbied
he won't be-"
Senators Reed and Quincy agreed
with Mr.. Potter that the amendment
was not germaine to the subject, the |
latter arguing that state officials do |
not legislate, but are charged with car |
rying out the legislation enacted.
A brief but earnest speech in favor |
of his point of order was made BY |
Senator Potter: "I feel like asking the |
committee to retire and pray over this |
matter a little longer he said. ''This |
bill brands with the odium of lobbyist, |
all persons interested in legislation.
am nothing but plain, common man
of the people, but I can understand
the English anguage-KansaS English |
at any rate-and as I understand the
provisions of this measure I must say
aTN
proach me on any proposition in which
you may have any pecuniary interest
whatever And I submit this is not
Just"
The opinion was commended by
Senator Porter who declared that he
thought the senate ought to recommit
the bill to the joint committee with
instructions to prepare new bill CIV
ing more consideration to the rights
of the people in matters of legislation
on their behalf.
Fitzgerald Overrules Milton.
Chairman Milton, who presided, |
sustained Senator Potters point of or
der and Senator Price appealed from
was called to rule on the appeal He
held that the amendment was in or
der and stated that any amendment |
toward this character of legislation |
whole, the title of the bill may be
and the scope of the bill en-
larged If it is SO desired.
Senator Stannard seemed to see an |
Interior motive in the proposed
He charged that the |
purpose in trying to put it in the bill |
was in order to make the act obnox- |
ious and destroy it and the work of |
the committee. 1.-THE senator from
Clark" he said. admits that he is not |
to this sort of legislation and !
I think the bill should be amended by
its friends
The amendment was favored by |