The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-06
AN rNSTDIOUS LOBBY.
DO 1T NOW!

There Is one feature of the lobby against the
Underwood tariff bill in Washington, whether
brought out by the senate investigation or not,
that Is clear in It's significance as soon as men,
toned The point is made by the New York
World and is this:
Of the many lobbyists In Washington no
Uncomfortable number of them are ex-senators
and ex-representatives. These men do not rep
resent the sentiments expressed ut the polls last
November. If they did. they could not be lobby
lists, and they would not be ex-senators and ex-
representatives. They would have votes OF their
own to cast instead OF being put to the necessity
OF soliciting others to cast votes as they wish
them recorded. They would be the besieged Of
lobbyists and not the besieging lobbyists.
Another point is brought out by Senator Bur-
ton OF Ohio kilograms letters and delegations
appeal to the senator's to vote against certain
features OF the tariff bill. These come In large
numbers from chambers of commerce, from trade
organizations from commercial bodies and from
certain interested Industries The right OF petit
tion is undeniable. but 1t must be remembered
that very, very many petitions may be received
people. Fictitious sentiment may be insidiously
presented to the senators, Unless they are eau
tious enough and energetic enough to analyze the
petitions and TO learn who Ia back of the delega-
tons, they may be led into the error OF assum-
ing that those who spend the most money send
the most kilograms and letters, write the largest
advertisements. hire the most astute lawyers, Sc
rure the largest delegations and in other ways
manufacture sentiment for their cause represent
the majority of the people.
One thing the senator's upon whom pressure is
being brought to bear should remember, These
flame ducks do not represent the country These
petitions. however numerous and however infu-
entail the signers, do not represent the country.
Every petition against tariff reduction could be
matched with two or three petitions in its favor.
Every petition In favor of protection on GER
tain article could be matched by petitions against
the protection asked The petitions for protec-
ton are sent because those who would benefit by
the protection asked have the money to fight for
what they want They possess the means with
which to hire lobbyists, while the people must
depend upon the men whom they elected last
November 10 reduce the tariff. They have no
special representatives, but they did have the
votes with which to retire from Office many OF
those special representatives Of special interests
1t is in this respect, II IN no other that the
lobby at Washington is nsidious, 1t manufac-
lures sentiment; It is So large to give the
impression that the country is back of It, when
matter Of fact the country has repudated
II at the polls it brings pressure to bear by
telegram and petition; il promises and, one sena-
TOR has declared. ii threatens
Those who believe that because there has al
ways been lobby there must always be lobby
ard who draw no distinctions between men sub
hitting their claims on argument and those using
other means, may deride the charge that there is
insidous lobby. but It all depends on what
r. meant by the word "insdous" If 1t means
anything. IL means what have attempted to
describe and II 1t means that. there is IN
s.dious lobby In Washington.
STARVING THE RAILROADS.
RS hte = bum