to lobby

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

To attempt to exert an influence on the members of a legislative body, by persons not members of such body. These are confined to the lobbies of the house, where they meet, the members, and by various means attempt to influence them or secure their votes for some favorite bill. So necessary has this business of lobbying now become, that when a petition is sent to a legislature, particularly for an act of incorporation, it is very common for one or more individuals to take it in charge for the purpose of lobbying it through.


There is a quarrel in Philadelphia about Mr. W----'s appointments. Some of the Loco-focos have come out to lobby against him.--N. Y. Trib.

A committee has gone to Albany to lobby for a new bank charter.--N. Y. Courier and Enquirer.

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