Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/267

WOODROW WILSON 225 take knowledge of this matter. Only public opinion can check and destroy it. "The Government in all its branches ought to be relieved from this intolerable burden and this con stant interruption to the calm progress of debate. I know that in this I am speaking for the mem bers of the two Houses, who would rejoice as much as I would to be released from this unbearable situation." The statement, at first, was received by a portion of the press and people with incredulity but, as the lobby investigating committee, headed by Senator Overman, proceeded with its work, it became plainly evident that the President was entirely cor rect in his charge and in his description of the nature of the lobby. Evidence adduced showed that the sugar-growing interests spent as much as $100,000 in agitation against free sugar, though there was no proof that this particular item was illegally expended. It was in evidence that more than 1,000,000 documents had been mailed under the franks of Congressmen in opposition to free sugar. In one quarter, charges were made that a long list of members of both branches of Congress had accepted money considerations in exchange for their influence in committees of Congress which had labor legislation in charge. Undue influence was exerted upon other members, it was alleged, by means of "business, political and sympathetic"