The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-06-28
The GORE INCIDENT


has been the topic of much criticism
and there has been much Of 1t adverse
The statement, however, that cor
ruption has ever been prevalent In
our National congress is not gener-
ally believed. That there are lobby
lists there to recte their interests in
proposed legislation whilst the great
body polite is at home, is undeniable
there lies the seat of harm and from
that source comes the vast majority
of our vicious legislation
Senator Gore sprung a trap on what,
fifteen years ago, would not have
been considered dangerous to the pub
lie good. There is no mlstaking the
meaning of the senator. whilst, of
course, there is not probability the
senator was offered direct bride. he
felt that was the intent and said so
In ablunt way at the same time taking
precaution to do no permanent in
jury to whomsoever might have been
mislead or over-zealous In an effort
to win cause.
But the great remedy is not so
much an exposure Of individuals and
outline Of their tactics, as twould be
to prohibit the lobby. There was
never case of Legislation pending
requiring the aid of strong, highly feed
attorneys to push 1t forward and the
committee which allows a lobbyist to
appear before 1t, In the opinion OF
many people, allows wrong perpre.
trated
Whose asks of the government that
which Is of selfish benefit and can
not be- other than expense to the bal
ance 0f the country, asks that which
Is wrong and which is In no wise a
right he has cause to ask OF the con.
gress.
If the Gore statment VIII In any
manner lessen the power of the lob
by at Washington. let us give thanks
for It; otherwise. 1t serves but to ex.
cite the public mind and In no manner
can prevent the next lobbyist for
some certain measure presenting his
case. using all the power of strong
intellect TO advance his interests.
Many states have undertaken to
stamp out the lobby: the effect, while
in no manner successful. having been
for the betterment of conditions as
! long existent.
For instance, we have In this state
a strict law against the secret lob
by There is way for the average
man, interested, to appear before the
legislative body; appearing as rep
fesentatlve, where his case and posi-
tion are listed and all may know
But that Is only an aid; 1t does not curt
There is still too much from the out
side: thre are still too many advis
ing. and the remedy lies in ordering
all that to the outside-there is nC
occasion 70 lobby, known or un
known. and the quicker II is legis
lated out of the arena, the sooner
Will the average taxpayer get a fail
deal @
No injustice can befall any inter
est that Is given the best judgment o.
honest legislators. II bad laws are
passed the peoole soon remedy them
will do so quicker without the lobb,
fthan with II. Let the new state. al
ready having taken an advanced posi-
tion In regard to the lobbyist 90 still
further and eliminate all the lobby
lists, registered or otherwise, and the
results will be astounding, even tC
those who have insight into things
before the legislative bodies as now
conducted.
The average man trusts his case
to the elected legislative repfesen
tatives and has neither time. means ol
inclination to follow that trust with an
expensive lobby That, alone. ought
to teach the lesson of the lobby be
ing bad for the people; dangerous tt
good government and one of the
menaces all should fight to kill. com
pletely and quickly.