He observed many lobbyists had invaded the chambers of the legislature by posing as newspapermen, causing special interest group influence on the floor of the House and Senate.

He formed the Ohio Legislative Correspondents Association, which required newsmen to submit credentials before gaining floor privileges, and served as its president for 24 years.

Later in life he told a reporter that, after he got over the scare, he thought, "Well I am minus a finger, but nobody is going to make me practice piano for three hours a day!

[4] Faulkner observed the legislature and statehouse staff were "cowed by lobbyists for special interest groups…buttonholing lawmakers in session…and people who posed as newspapermen acting as lobbyists….

[4] In 1893 he formed the Ohio Legislative Correspondents' Association,[6][7] an organization which required newsmen were to pass on their credentials before they could gain access to the floor of the House and Senate.

He attended every national political convention of the major parties from 1892 on, and since 1896 had accompanied presidential candidates on their campaign speaking tours.

[9] He was asked by a number of Ohio Governors and one U.S. president to accept commissions in their administrations, but politely declined each time.

[16] Besides his professional journalistic memberships Faulkner was also a member of the Cuvier Press Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No.

While attending the American Newspaper Publisher's Association convention, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York,[20] Faulkner became ill, complaining of indigestion.

[22] As Faulkner had helped many young newspaper reporters early in their careers, following his death, many newspapermen desired to form a memorial fund to provide scholarships to journalism students.