Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-07-03
BILLS

MADISON, June 16,-The feeling
of a certain class of lobbyists toward
the anti-lobby bills proposed by
Senate Chief Clerk WyIie, is bitter
Among these is H. w. BoIens, twice
defeated democratic candidate for
Lieutenant Governor, editor of the
Port Washington Star, and a manu-
facturer.
In a recent issue, the Port Wash
ington Star attacked the bills and
Mr.. Wylie personally in a column
and a half editorial. When this at
tack was called to the attention of
Mr.. Wylie to-day, he said:
Almost every paragraph of this
editorial contains falsehood and libel.
but damages could hardly be shown
by libel from such a source. do
not care to say anything about any
part Of the editorial, except the state
ment that under the present Wiscon-
fore any committee or speak to any
member Of the legislature for or a.
gainst any pending bill without sPub-
jecting himself to a fine for not re-
Clustering. 1t makes no difference
whether his serv' es are paid for
or not"
ut lis hardly conceivable that Mr.
Bolens should think this to be the
law, yet that may be the case It
is much more plausible that, if8NGr
Polens wrote this editorial, he de
Iiberately lied.
mo prohibition is placed by the
present lobby law upon any other than
paid lobbyists, except state employees
financially interested, nor do the pro
posed anti lobby bills place any re-
striction upon those who come to
Madison for themselves or for public
corporations other than the anti treat
ing provision and the requirement
that they first register.
There is a particular reason for
the personal opposition Of such lob
byists as Mr.. Bolens. I would not
name Mr.. Bolens if he were not so
apt an illustration and so convenient
an example of the class Of lobbyists
that opposes these anti-lobby bills
.sMr. Bolens poses as a democratic
party leader, and in his own words
before the senate judiciary commit
tee, the most public spirited citizen
of his county. In that pose he has
sought to influence the democratic
members of this legislature and to
hold them in line for the Special In
terest Tory-demCcratic program. He
turks about the Hobbies and committe
rooms, seeking out any proposition
that has about it q suggestion of
progressivism, and uses against it
so much of the methods of the lobby
gang Of the eighties and nineties as
is safe. He states that he appears
for himself or for the Wisconsin Man
ufacturers' Association, and that he
is not paid lobbyist, therefore not
required to register nor restricted
to appearances before committees.
Several of the provisions of the
proposed bills hit Mr. BoIens' ilk.
They are particularly these:
Any person whose expenses are
reimbursed, or who is regularly en-
ployed, whose salary shall continue
while he attempts to influence legis1s
tion affecting his employer, Or any
person who is financially interested
in any corporation or association af-
fected by the legislation he is at
tempting to promote or defeat or in
fluence in amy manner, is deemed a
paid lobbyist.
Everyone who comes to Madison
to lobby is required to register up
on oath, and any false statements
shall constitute perjury.
ANY person leaning monye to treat.
ing oor entertaining any member Of
the legislature by any paid lobbyist
is made prima facie evidence of in
tent to influence the action or vote
Of such member.
1.-The secretary of state is given a
special agent to obtain evidence of
violation Of the anti-lobby law
There are a number of gentlemen
of more or less reputation who, pos
ing as pubic spirited citizens,' serve
in the capacity of special political
and special interest lobbyists. Mr.
BoyIens is one of these, and he and
the others, Of course, have personal
and private reasons to objest to de
cency in lobbying.
''The wiser Of these gentlemen
sense the decency of public senti-
ment in Wisconsin, and are deferred
from making any such loud olamor a
aignst the bills as is raised by Mr..
Bolens. They do not cry SO loudly
when they are hurt .