Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-02
Curb Lobbyist, Pay Farmer
For Stock Loss, Dunno Asks


/ Springfield. Ill, March 2-Endeavor-
ing 20 strike az what ne terms the in-
sidious influence OF the corrupt lob
byist" Governor Dunno today sent 10
+ the legislature a special message urg-
ing the passage Of bill which would
require all lobbyists TO register their
names and addresses with the secre-
tary OF state. and TO certify I'm writing
the measures they are lobbying for,
who employs them and what compen-
sation they receive for such lobbying.
\ second message sent 20 the legis-
latUrc today by thc governor urged
the immediate passage OF an emery
ency appropriation 20 relieve the fnan-
ciai distress OF stock raisers resulting
from the slaughter OF animals because
OF the foot and mouth disease.
Laws requiring the registration Of
lobbyists. such as asked for by Cover
nor Dunno. already are on the statute
books Of several states. notably Ohio,
where the violation of the lobbyist law
is made a penitentiary offense.
Governor DUNES message recon-
mended that no one not member of
the general assembly should be per
mitted TO the floor of either house. or
the committee room thereof. the cloak
rooms. the corridor. or any part OF the
state house adjacent 10 the legislative
chambers. for the purpose OF advocat-
ing. amending or opposing any bill.
resolution or measure" unless such
person be a registered lobbyist.
The message requests. however.
that an exception be made OF state Of
ficers. and department heads appear
ing before committees in connection
with the work of their departments,
and OF any persons invited by either
house. or any committees. TO appear
before such house. or any OF its com
mittees. for the purpose OF furnishing
information or data on pending legis-
lation.
Honest men and measures Will an
nounce themselves and be welcome,
says the message but the subsidized
and professional lobbyist. intent on
defeating the will OF the people by en-
deavoring to corrupt the weak and 20
circumvent the strong, should be driv-
en- from the state house"
The fun text OF the message on lob
bying follows:
Gentlemen Of the Forty-ninth Gen
eral Assembly.
"One great embarrassment attend
ant upon the honest effort or q state
legislature TO give to the 1eople remed-
ial legislation has been the insidious
influence OF the corrupt lobbyist.
Always the servfe hireling OF the
concealed master. he sits near the
seats OF the members and in the com
mittee rooms during the sessions Of
the committees and endeavors TO poi
son at it's source what would other
wise be the honestly expressed viii Of
the peoples representative.
1t has been said in the past that
Illinois was not free from this scOurge.
Il have proposed several remedial
measures TO the present legislature
and many other meritorious measures
viii be considered during the session
We should not sit quietly by and per
NIT bills. designed TO give relief % the
people. 20 be changed. modified, rem
dered impotent and nullified by the
Vaccinations OF undiselosed persons
and influences. IL IL Is in our power 70 (
prevent IL
such persons and influence should /.
come out in the open and show their /
coIors. where all men can see them 4,
and know for what they stand. Hon |
est men and measures viii announce
themselves and be welcome. but the /,
subsidized and professional lobbyist,