South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-12

oils OF the defense made down there
10 the recently PASSED anti-lobby law
by w. A. McInerny Mr.. McInerny
needs no introduction in South Bend.
He is both leading lawyer and a
leading democrat His opinion is Of
particular significance because he has
complied with the anti-lObby law, and
in a capacity that is not always pOpu-
lar hence ordinarily, one would ex-
pect him to be against the bill. He is
glad however, 10 have the old insid-
nous lobby done away with. Under
the present statute, his clients expect
him to do his legislative counseling in
their behalf, open and above board,
with his particular interest disclosed,
that legislators may be on their guard,
and every honest man knows that that
is just as it should be.
Mr.. McInerny is registered as the
legislative counsel Of the Northern
Indian Gas and Electric Co. Is il any
more Of a crime than for him to enter
court Of law. Even public utility cor
porations have some rights that legis-
latOrs, as we'll as courts, are bound to
respect. and it is their right and their
duty to honestly and fairly, meet the
members Of the legislature in commit
tee, or personally, and do what they
can TO see that those rights are pre-
served without having TO fight for
them in the courts. 1t was the fault
of the old lobby. responsible for the
law. that this has not always been
done. honestly, openly and fairly, in
the past. as it will be in the future.
since. the reputation of the registered
legislative counsel will have TO be
maintained, and he will approach the
state assembly more in the future. as
he approaches a court of Justice
with a deal Of dignity and respect.
Furthermore, we like the tone of
Mr.. McInernys statements with re-
gard 10 the political aspects Of the
| law. He is most certainly right that
the big howl, is coming in the main
from the republicans, not because they
think the law is particularly wrong.
but because they want something to
find fault with a democratic legisla-
ture for, and anticipate that by mol
| lycOddling the financial interests that
| nave in the past been the beneficiaries
of insidious lobbying, they can cap
ture all of them sure, and their 1916
campaign contributions. for the re-
publican party. The republicans will
have plank against the anti-lobby
law in it's next state platform now. If
the democrats hadn't passed the bill,
the republicans would then have a
plank calling for an anti-lobby bill,
and would lambast the democrats for
not passing it. 1t is the way of poll
tics.
The same condition prevails with re-
spect 70 the state wide primary bill
1 before the legislature. Republicans
are very solicitous of democratic well
| fare. IN urging the defeat OF this
measure. They are so afraid that the
| democrats will pass it and put them
selves out of office by doing So that
they are really weeping great croco-
+ ollie tears; but mind you. what is re-
ally worrying the republicans is the
/ possibility Of the democratic party
passing the law. If it don't you'll see
a state wide primary plank in the re
publican platform in 1915. and what
the republicans will do-with their
mouths-to the democratic party will
be a plenty.
Democrats do not need TO listen TO
I republicans for political wisdom.
| Take this bit of advice from Ahra-
ham Lincoln on this. his birthday;
find out what the other fellow wants
and then give him the opposite" Es-
pecially in politics. you can depend
upon il THAI men of the opposing par
". are rot as rule, sitting up nights
and worrying over the prospects of
your failure.