The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-02-19

and that laws of the type Of the one provided in the bill before you are to be the rule throughout the country
 One has only to read the bills pre- sented to the several legislatures in this present year to perceive the IenoT of the remedy.
 may add that my bill is in con sonance with the policy toward lob bying already adopted by this state.
 In Chapter 196, Public Laws, 1907, certain persons holding public office are sought to be restrained from lob bying. The means adopted is not to require their registration, but if they lobby they may be convicted as c1ini- nals and heavily punished.
 Chapter 1s2, laws of North Dakota, 1911, makes it unlawful to attempt personally and directly to influence legislation otherwise than in a public the bill before you. It IS made un1aw- full for a legislative agent to enter upon the floor of either house.
 In Wisconsin, Chap. 472 Laws of Wisconsin, 1905, it is made a misde- meanor for lobbyists to resort to pr1- vate solicitation, and practice is re- str1cted very much as in the bill be- fore you. Lobbyists are forbidden from the floor of either House. Cop ies of written arguments must be fil- ed for public inspection.
 Section 2045, Lords Oregon Laws, require any person who attempts to lobby to truly disclose his interest or his employment, and not to do so IS sole effect of this law was to make certain forms %of lobbying criminal kinds according to public policy, so that compensation might be recovered under a contract to do it.
 Texas, Chap. 3, Whites Penal Code, 1911, makes it a crime for any paid or employed agent to privately solicit the vote or privately endeavor to in the Legislature In Texas also paid lobbyists are forbidden, the floor of either House.
 Section 1850, Vol. 3, Revised Statutes must register, must not go upon the floor of either house, and must not bargain for a contingent fee under penalty of punishment.
 Idaho forbids paid agents of public officers from influencing legislation other than in a public manner.
 Alabama makes lobbying with mem bers of the Legislature a felony.
 Tn 1907 alone. including the Connec- ticut statute just quoted, laws regulat- States, the others being, Alabama, Idaho. Missouri, Nebraska, North Da- kota, South Dakota and Texas
 made a felony in California, Georgia, Utah. Tennessee. Oregon, Montana Arizona and Wisconsin,
 laws will break all records in passing them this year. So late as Jan. 23, 1913. the Legislature of Ohio, adopted
 
 governor, signed # on the same day.
 I want to call the attention of the committee to Section g. which is the last of the Ohio law, which says, This act is hereby declared to be an emergency measure, and that it's enactment is necessary for the fmme- d1ate preservation of public safety. The necessity therefore lies in the fact that the public welfare and safety requires that the present General As sernb1y shall be free from interven- tion and it's members in the perform ance of their duties. protected from so- Hcitations by persons representing in terestS that are undiSc1osed and prin- c1pa1s that are unknown
 There is an emergency in Connec- tfcut The General Assembly should be immediately protected from inter vention of the Third House, and from the secret personal solicitations of the hired men of the railroads, the troll lies, and whatsoever other influences are threatening to the State and to the purity of it's laws.
 Practice before the General Assem- bly, should be as safely guarded as to a court. The plaintiff may not whfs- per in the ear of judge or jury be- cause he would poison justice in the cup. But if he whisper in the ear of the General Assembly, he poisons justice at the fountain
 I beg of your committee a speedy report upon this matter