Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-07

tee doubt whether it can finish in thar
time
Senator Townsend's statements in
relation to President Wilson were hot
in the form of charges. He express
" said he did not charge the Presl-
dent with using improper methods, but
he insisted that the charges that lob.
bies existed and the activity of the
principal support of free wool and
free sugar amounted to an Undue
influence" even though he did not use
the big stick" of patronage.
.As the term Lobbyist is generally
understood he said. land as believe
il WAS used by the President in his re-
cent statement upon which this inVes-
tigation was founded, it means one
who tries to secure or prevent legisia-
ton BY the use Of means that are I'M
proper: by the offer or payment OF
money, the granting or withholding OF
fayors, by insid.ous threats of poiit-
ical opposition, by the Use of patron
age or the giving Of political rewards,
I knew of no Improper lobbyist of that
kind The nearest approach to undue
influence exerted upon members OF
Congress, believe is the influence ex-
ercised by the President and by the
use and power of the party secret cau-
GUS
do you mean to say that is to lob
hyinpy', demanded Senator Reed.
"A LOBBYIST is q man who attempts
to influence legislation against the
honest conviction, the conscience and
the notions Of duty of the legislator,
stRar1nsP
Of the insinnatio that a lobby exists
to influence them TO vote for ameha-
ments they believe in, l think some
senators will refrain from SO voting.
This I believe is coercion
You believe there is species OIL
lobbying from the executive as well as
from the outside" asked Cummins.
ayes, sir, / have no doubt of it, re-
ulied Senator Townsend. Il do not
blame this executive any more IMAM
any ether 1t seems to be rather pop
uiar, nowadays.
..'rhere are two sides to this ques-
ton. The fact that a man is Tor pro
lection is not an evidence that ne Is
dishonest. or because he is for Tree
trade that he is honest.
..Dcmocratic leaders have been report
ed as saving: This is to be matter
that the President must decidea and NOR
der 10 be a good Democrat and receive
the proper amount of patronage ana ho'
perhaps be opposed you must support tue
party measure
DO you know any h@man being wiz
can say as a matter of fact that iiesi-
dent Wilson has either Withheld or eNei
aupointments to affect the vote OF any
man in Gongressg'' demanded senator
Reed.
mo. / do not l know only what
have heard rumored and seen IN papers
said Senator Townsend.
senator Townsend said he had no SUI
stantiai interests that might be ahecte
by the tariff. and knew Of no lobbles eS
listing in Washington.
Senator Weeks testified he severed hi
connection with all his banking and CON
mercial concerns when he was elected
the senate. He said tiree or four me
had called upon him who might be cal
ed lobbyists. Among these We're fhoma
O. Marvin. secretary of the Home Mal
kft Club, and his brother, winthrop
Marvin. secretary of the National Wo'
manufacturers Associdtfoi'' Inv, We
not pr0moting or opposing legislation,
he understood, but gathering iflformatio
for members of the association who d.
sired to receive it.
senator shiyeiy testified that he ha
no personal knowledge OF lobby,
senator Cummins said the flooding
senators with kilograms and letters w;
the only practice ne mad observed
washington that was wrong and co
money.
senator Page OF Vermont said his chi
interest was In hide and calf skin trad
and ia fertilizer manufacturing He M
small lumber holdings.