“CINCH” BILLS by G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 31, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 42.

“CINCH” BILLS.

By G.

POLITICAL chicanery is seemingly on the increase throughout the world. It surely is in some parts, and California is a much afflicted victim, the politicians themselves and the political organs bearing the testimony. It is alleged by those who ought to know, and no doubt do know, that the “lobby” attending the next Legislature will be one that will be a fruitful source of revenue to those who are in the Legislature for that purpose. And certain manipulators of conventions and elections have planned to make such a lobby essential to defend certain “interests” that will be purposely attacked by “reformatory” bills, in order to force the interests thus antagonized to defend themselves with cash, or its equivalent.

It is said to be a settled fact that certain bosses, who expect to control a goodly number of members by virtue of having secured their nomination and possibly their election, are already planning schemes to make cat’s paws of them for pecuniary gain. The game of bribing members directly has become somewhat dangerous. So certain legislators will be controlled by the “boss,” who will arrange with the parties who want special measures passed or defeated. According to one journal, the work of preparing “cinch” bills has already begun. These will be introduced for the sole purpose of being bought off if the “cinched” parties will pay enough to the men who can control the necessary votes to turn the tide in the right direction. One of the bills to be introduced in this way at the next session will be one to compel Sunday observance. This is what is said by the knowing ones on this subject:

“One of the most sweeping bills that will be presented to the Legislature and referred to the Committee on Public Morals is a Sabbath law, so called. This measure is ostensibly designed to prevent us from going wrong on Sunday. In reality it is a scatter gun that is expected to bring to earth every theatrical man, concert and dance hall proprietor, coursing promoter, and amusement director in the state. As a law this benign measure will close on Sunday every place of amusement in the state. As far as coursing is concerned it is expected that the Supervisors of San Mateo County will look upon the bill as an intruder on their reservation of special privilege and golden opportunity. The bill probably will not become a law, but it will make lively the deliberations of the third house.”

Usually the preachers and the women of certain circles have procured the introduction of such bills, and possibly they will look after the matter again. But if they do not, it is pretty certain that there will be one introduced anyway, for the purpose of what is popularly called “graft.” It will matter but little who introduces the bill, the manipulation will be the same. But if it should unavoidably become a law, then the “grafters” will claim great credit for their part in moral reform. G.