The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-09-07
Senator Felker PrOnOunceS the
Anti-LObby Law TO Be a Milk
and Cider Affair.
CONCLUDED FROM PAGE ONE

because Senator Mcdaniel could not find any
language which would do it. There isn't a
lawyer in the State who could draft a more
precise and comprehensive definition.
Therefore, my point against the new law is,
that it is absolutely impossible for any person
to work for Or against measure pending be-
fore the Legislature without coming in col
hsion with that Statute, provided he goes a
step further than the Act says he may legally
60. There isn't an intelligent school boy who
reads the newspapers, who doesn't know that
the work of the lobbyist is altogether differ
ent from that which the law says may be
legally done. AS far back as the time of
the historic Yazoo fraud the business of the
lobbyist has been to deceive or corrupt mem
bers of the Legislature. The manner in
which the Pacific land grants, for instance,
were put through Congress, the manner in
which Governmental aid has been given to
private corporations, have familiarized ev-
erybody with the criminal methods of the
lobbyist. Even when shares of stock are not
given to Legislators, and even when no money
is used to influence votes, there may be
bribery equally effective. The principle of
'you tickle me and [ tickle you' enters large
ly into the methods of the lobbyist Some
favor, greatly desired may be secured, either
tive or friend. Sometimes a legislator of
weak character may be seduced almost before
he knows it, by the fattering attentions of the
well dressed, accomplished lobbyist, who
wines him and dimes him, treats him to fine
cigars. Sometimes the most artful falsehoods
will lead the unwary legislator into favoring
or opposing a measure which the lobbyist de-
sires to promote or kill. It too frequently
happens that honest men are persuaded to
vote for or against claim, resolution or bill,
because they have been duped as to it's true
character, or as to its real beneficiary.
Now, | think that Senator Felker will agree
with me that all such lobbying as [ have
herein indicated, could be reached by the Nc
Daniel Act of 1873.
Can he conceive of an illegal way of work
ing for against measures in the legisla-
ture, that would not be reached by the Nc
Daniel act? l confess that I cannot. What
then, is accomplished by the new, so-called
Anti-Lobby Law? Men who do Illegal lob
bying are not going to register, or if they do
register, are not going to confne themselves
to the legal modes of reaching the legislator.
Everybody knows that if the agents Of cor
porations and of individuals seeking special
favors from the Legislature, were to confne
themselves to the legal methods laid down
IN the Code, the occupation of the lobbyist
would be gone.
If Senator Felker will carefully compare
the phraseology Of the new law, with that of
the Mcdaniel Act of 1873 he will see that
the very services which the Mcdaniel Act
penalties are made legal, provided the man
who intends to commit the crime will 90 and
register his name
AS Senator Felker we'll knows, Section 1868
of the Code and the Supreme Court decisions
Hereunder, render null and void contracts to