The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-02-07
A REAL REFORM.

Jail sells yawn for paid lobbyists
who in times gone by have made the
legislature pretty much of a joke,
if bill which has been prepared
for Introduction during the present
session of the law-making body, be-
comes enacted into a law.
This bill is copied after the one
passed by the Missouri legislature
and is in full as follows:
Section 1. Every person retained
or employed for compensation as
counsel or agent by any person, firm,
corporation or association to promote
or oppose directly or indirectly the
passage of bills or resolutions by
executive approval OF such bills,
shall, in each and every year, before
any service is entered upon in pro-
noting or opposing such legislation,
file in the Office of the secretary of
state a writing subscribed by such
counsel or agent stating the name or
names of the person or persons, firm
or firms, corporation or corporations,
association or associations, by whom
or on whose behalf he is retained or
employed, together with a brief des-
cription of the legislation in refer
ence to which such service is to be
rendered.
No notice so filed shall be valid
for more than thirty days after the
adjournment Of the session of the
legislature held in the year in which
the same is filed. 1t shall be he duty
of the secretary of state to provide a
docket, to be known as the docket of
legislative appearances, with appro-
pirate blanks and induces, and to
forthwith enter therein the names
of the counsel and agents so retained
or employed and of the persons,
firms, corporations or associations
retaining or employing them, togeth-
er with a brief description of the
legislation in reference to which
the service is to be rendered, which
docket shall be open to public in
spection. Upon termination of such
employment the fact of such termin-
alton, with the date thereof, may be
entered by direction of either such
counsel Or agent of the employer.
No person, firm, corporation or
association shall retain or employ
any person to promote or oppose
legislation for compensation con-
tingent in whole or in part upon the
passage or defeat of any legislative
measure or measures. No person
shall for compensation engage in
promoting or opposing legislation
except upon appearance entered in
accordance with the foregoing pro-
visions of this section. And no per-
son shall except any such employ
ment or render any such service for
compensation contingent upon the
passage or defeat of any legislative
measure or measures.
1t shall be the duty of every per-
son, firm, corporation or association
within two months after the ad-
journment of the legislature to file
in the Office of the secretary of state
an itemized statement verified by
oath of such person, or in case of
firm or member thereof or in case
of domestic corporation or associ-
alton of an officer thereof, or in case
of a foreign corporation or associa-
ton of an officer or agent thereof, !
showing in detail all expenses paid,
incurred or promised directly or in
directly in connection with the legis-
lation pending at the last previous
session, with the names of the payee |
and the amount paid each, including
all disbursements paid, incurred or