Morris tribune., 1913-07-04


he says there is kind of insidious lobbying testi
has been given to show that great interests have
been getting together behind certain men, get them
committees where their opinions would control leg
isation though there might be corruption of
the individual AS the inquiry goes it brings out the
fact that there has been lobbying going that not
If Senator Overman is surprised he is probably the
ly man in Washington having regular contact with con-
gress, who is. great stretch of ones creduty is
qured to believe that Mr. Cverman has been so nearly
blind.
Consider the history of schedule 'K.' An agent OF
the woolen manufacturers appeared in Washington. He
invited to draft the schedule He served clerk to
the senate committee That employment ended he was
made director of the Here committee en-
trey willing to be controlled and then rewarded the paid
agent who did the controlling
Nor is there much in the strained sensation of the
Mulhall statement the affairs of the national
sociation of manufacturers.
Of course the manufacturers sought to get committee
assignments for known be favorable to their in
terests. So did everybody else
Of course the manufacturers sought to defeat men
known to be unfavorabe to their interests Who didn't?
Of course the manufacturers levied assessments and
spent money Have forgotten the operations
of the friends of free silver? Or of the Equity
Society," of the sovereign of Kentucky? Or of the
navy league? Or of those who desire that the United
States should it's legation and embassy buildings
abroad? Or of the national civil service association Or
of the American newspapers which sought have the duty
pulp paper reduced?
Let be above acting the hypocrite in this matter.
Now that undertaking put legislation in the
capitals of the states and nation right footing let
the facts they are The truth of the matter hal
been that cause good bad could very we'll hope fol
in any American legislature, state national
which furthered by the very influences which
suddenly become so n,aodorous
What is the ideal? To what goal will these sweet
unsuspectng the press their reform
Are those who believe in civil service be disbarre
from making their recommendations to committees O.
congress? Are American farmers be precluded from
presenting their claims protection upon products
Or labor unions knock doors of legislative
mittees and be told that they lobby? And if
all of these have hearing will anyone propose
seriously that the employers of the nation shall
have their hearing?
1t is true should seek to influence the assign
of congressman committees. But as long as con
gressmenn are willing to entertain suggestions to tha
end just long will the suggestions be Forthcoming
with all the pressure behind them that can bring
bear Congress it which is indicted by these disclosure
conspicuously than the who have business wit
congress. And long this country in which me
elected congress and the legislatures by tn
people, just long will the people undertake to defea
those from whom they obtain what they thin
they are justly entitled to receive.
The ideal is simply stated. 1t is:
That our legislatures cease dealing with paid agent
| in any cause.
That committees hear manufacturers in their ow
right merchants in their right in their ow
right and that the committeeman forego the favors whc
they have been accustomed to receive from paid agents
That the tariff be taken out of politics. as Mr. Tai
insisted
That currency legislation be taken out of politics
That army posts naval stations and internal improve
ments be taken of politics.
That there be more thought of country in the maj
agement of our legislatures and less of party.
This is the ideal. 1t happens also to be the on
practical What ridiculous proposition it is tn;
our legislatures should nationwide campaig
to eliminate the lobby germ without first making then
selves immune against it! The very moment Legislature
respond the of improper obbies
moment will improper lobbies cease to exist Yet not
single element in this ideal may expect the endorseme
! of the committee of which Mr. Overman is chairman
| Minneapolis Tribune.
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