Lobbying

Personal solicitation of a member of a legislative body during a session thereof, by one not a member, with reference to any matter pending in the legislature, so called from the fact that such solicitation is supposed to take place in the "lobby" of the legislative hall. The term is generally used in a bad sense, as including only secret or wrongful solicitation, and not the submission of petitions, or the presentation of arguments, at a proper time and place. As a general rule, all contracts for personal solicitation of legislators, or the use of personal influence with them, are void, though no bribery or other corrupt practice is contemplated. 36 N. Y. 241; 101 U. S. 108. But the professional services of a lawyer may be employed for legitimate purposes connected with pending legislation, such as the presentation of evidence or argument openly, and at proper times and places. 80 Va. 475; 21 Wall. (U. S.) 441.

Seeking by bribery or other dishonest means to influence the vote of a member of legislature. ^

“Lobbying” is defined to be any personal solicitation of a member of a legislative body during a session thereof, by private interview, or letter or message, or other means and appliances not addresseil solely to the judgment, to favor or oppose, or to vote for or against, any bill, resolution, report, or claim pending, or to be introduced by either branch thereof, by any person who misrepresents the nature of his interest in the matter to such member, or whois employed for a consideration by a person or corporation interested in the passage or defeat of such bill, resolution, report, or ciaim, fer the purpose of procuring the passage or defeat thereof. But this does not inelude such services as drafting petitions, bills, or resolutions, attending to the tuking of testiraony, collecting facts, preparing arguments and memorials, and submit fees of like character, intended to reach the reason of legislators. Code Ga. 1882, § 4486 L’obligation sans cause, ou sur une fausse cause, ou sur cause illicite, ne peut avoir aucun effet. An obligation without consideration, or upon a false consideration, (which fails,) or upon unlawfal consideration, cannot have any effect. Code Uivil, 3, 8, 4; Chit. Cont. (11th Amer. Ed.) 25, note.