The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-09-18
BY WILLIAM H.. King
4. r. SENATOR FROM UTAH
In The New York Times

AAhlll AtAA Aufli|tA NnItI MOON 10 nIU"
mote or defeat legislative act ON. II
Is well nigh impossible TO draw a
line separating legitimate and
proper Efforts and illcpitimatc and
corrupt activity in connection with
legislative action. Meritorious mcu-
sures are sometimes supported by
forces whose records are unClcan.
who's motives are Justly under
suspicion. and who do not hesitate
TO employ represensiblc methods to
G their ends. Aud often uu-
worthy, II not vicious. legislation II
sought by the employment Of moth
DDS entirely Legitimate and proper. /
doubt whether any satisfactory plan
can be devised to protect legislators
from contact with influences and
conditions which, II not resisted
prove harmful to the state.
Lobbyists and lobbying are not
now subjects ana the lobbyist is not
INDIGENOUS to any one country. lie
is omniprcscnt, II not omnlpotcnt.
His habitat IL whore legislative
bodies meet. lie shows no prefer
ence for tho most important lcgls.
lative assemblies, but seeks fields
for his activity In municipal bodies,
IN state legislatures, and In the con-
"a NNA' 'ANNNNA 'NhNfN. NV
history OF municipal government In
the United states ~ rcplctc with ok
amplos OF franchises, ordinances
aud "bonefactions obtained through
the corrupt Efforts Of lobbyists. Many
OF our city governments have been
unclcau, and the Shiny trail OF tho
lobbyist has been found in ordl-
nanccs and franchises that have
been enacted and granted, II h
notorious that corrupt mon have
sought positions In municipal gov
ernmeuts in order that thcv might
compel bribery for legislation that
vas needed and beneficial to the
people. Others were elected to city
councils in order that they might
serve corporations and interests
which sought 10 exploit the people
And the tragic thing Is that the
public conscience, knowing OF the
intrigucs ana corruption. was sell
don reused to prevent the consum-
nation Of ron or the porpctuity
~ evil Vaccinations,
II one were to examine infinitely
the tens Of thousands Of measures
enacted by city councils ana state
legislatures during tho last 80 years
and obtain full information M TO
the thousands Of measures defeated.
and learn OF the corrupt and sin
lister forces which controlled or in
fluenced. municipal and legislative
action, he would almost despair OF
representative government. Aud "
the record Of the national lcgisla-
ture is examined. facts are discov-
cred which force the conviction that
mHlign forces have at times at
tempted to lay their foul and un-
clean hands upon congress.
This Is a representative form Of
government and those vested with
legislative authority are supposed TO
act with freedom and In harmony
with their conscience and consonAnt
with the organic law OF tho state
and the nation. They are not dele
gates, but Representatives. and
should be guided by their own iudg-
ment. with n full appreciation OF the
responsibility which rests upon
them.
/ think It may be truthfully said
that a large part Of the vast vol
ume Of legislation enacted by the
states and congress owes its origin
10 the activities Of lobbyists or rep
r~osentativcs OF groups and organiza-
lions directly interested therein
ana | make bold to assert that
much OF tho legislation enacted f.
uf no benefit 10 the people, and no
inconsidcrahle fraction thereof is OF
positive harm.
patent Mcdlcinc' Government.
We proceed upon the patent
medicine" theory Of government.
changing our doses and our edicines
as often as quacks and political
takers appear, and faddists and WIS.,
ionaries and d~octrinaires, AZ well az
selfish and sordid and oftcntimes
corrupt persons and influences,
scheme me plan 10 secure legislative
or executive action TO aid In the
contamination Of their purposes.
Historical men and nourotic women
and crankg of an shades OF opinion
carry on propaganda I'm behalf OF
schemes which they seek to secure
APPROVAL NJ by Legislative sanction.
D~iscredltcd politicians, individuals
whose lives are records Of failure,
eccentric and unbalanced persons
who utterly fan to perceive the
forces which make for moral and
industrial progress, parasites, fem
lnlsts and fanatics, project plans
aud secure supporters, and they are
found hero and elsewhere seeking
TO impose upon the country their
confused prcposterous. and In many
Instances destructive. hcresies.
Proponents II many absurd and
dangerous policies have no con-
coption Of our form of government
or the quality which must exist
among a people II progress and
civilization shall endure, OF curse
ZONE lobbyists constitute more Of 4
nuisance than a menace. although
they r-cprcsont-or appear to repre-
acnt-a large section Of our elector-
ate,
Many lobbyists find a broad field
for their pcrnscious activities In
times Of industrial and economic
confusion, and they play upon the
passions and prcjudiccs Of The pco-
pie and suggest remedies for eco
nomic Ills with a zeal and an APP
parent sincerity that wins prose-
lytes, though usually Of temporary
fidelity, 10 their unsound and often
dangerous creeds. They apear In
Washington, bosioge com mittccs,
senators ana representatives. dis
seminate throughout tho land yiru-
lent and misleading propaganda,
and organize through their follow
ers and supporters local attacks