The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-17
Senate Takes Rigorous Action
This Morning.
Asks State Institution Officers
to Stay at Home.
NO DINNERS OR CIGARS
Nor Shall the "Visitors'' Use
Oral Arguments.
Severe Jolt for Boosters of Spe-
ciaI Interests.

| The senate this morning through
| two distinct actions threw highly ex-
plosive and explicit bombs into the
camps of the lobbyists who have been
| trailing the paths of the members of
| the upper house of the LEGISLATURE.
one Domb, IN the form of resolution
instructed officers of state institutions
desiring increased appropriations to
stay in their offices and earn the sal
aries the state gives them. The 9TH
er. bill by Senator Davis, placed
rigid restrictions on the actions of
lobbyists. forbidding them to make
oral application to members of the
senate in behalf of their interests un-
less invited by the body
The first resolution was a direct slap
at the efforts of the officers of state
schools to procure more funds for the
maintenance and improvement in their
schools. The senate, recognizing a re-
lief from these petitioners passed the
proposition with elated approval
The Davis bill will release the SEN
ators from the bonds of cigars, din
ners and complimentary banquets that
are given them by lobbyists who have
pipes to light. but no matches.
State Institution Lobbyists.
The resolution informing the state in
stitution lobbyists to attend to the
duties of their offices, read:
BE 1t Resolved by the Senate of the
State of Kansas: Whereas, the frequent
attendance on the sessions of farmer
legislators by the officers and instruc-
tors of the various state institutions
as lobbyists for appropriations and
other favors for their respective insti-
tutions, thus neglecting the duties for
which they are paid by the state, and
thus impairing the efficiency of their
institutions and causing an unneces-
sary expense to the state in expense
accounts has developed Unto an abuse
and should be abated.
Whereas, this practice has. in the
past, caused an unseemly competition
and jealousy between officers or these
institutions and injurious to the best
interests to these institutions and detri-
mental to the public service.
Therefore, be 1t resolved by the sem
ate that while holding these offices in
the highest respect land regard, it is
the sense of the senateethat in justice
to the taxpayers of the state to pay
their salaries and have a just claim on
their services and time, that it be req
commended that they remain at their re-
spective posts of duty unless requested
by the senate or its committees to ap-
pear before. them to give information
regarding the management of these in
stitutions and to advise as to the neces-
sary appropriation for the maintenance
of the senate
Senator Davis Restrictions.
Davis of Bourbon on the lobby queS-
ton, is by far the most direct and the
most severe in the history of the Kan
saS legislature.
In the first place it requires lob
byist, in registering, to state the usual
connections and adds that he must
give the amount of compensation he
receives for his duties at the state
house in legislative periods.
Furthermore Senator Davis would
have the hlttOn-hOl6r submit all his
in writing to the senate
will not be allowed to make oral ad-
vances to a member of the senate un- |
less requested to do so by commit |
tee or on the floor of the house. A
stern penalty is attached.
"I look at it this way" remarked |
Senator Davis in explaining his bill. |
I'VE should act as jurors in a case |
between the people and the special
interests. We should not speak in |
timately or accept dinners and cigars
as favors from either"
From advance actions, it appears
that the lobbyist who is effective in |
the senate this year will be the man
who is able to draw up the most i'm
pu1sive and weighy masterpiece in
writing or who, when invited before
4 committee, can produce the facts in
he most influential manner.
Lobbying-meaning the actions of
men in the 1obbies-is an art of the
past. Hereafter it will be petition
ST. or an orator who plows advan-
burrows in the state house.