Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-30

" HeSOIred, 1iat tue lltn ltulc CT Tue House II
&c amended. by adding thereto the following:
a. So long they conduct themselves with de-
corum and respect TO the members, in the dis
c barge of their official duties, and do not abuse
the privilege hereby authorized 10 be extended TO
them, and no longer"
The question of consideration being put. it was
decided in the affirmative-ayes 6l, noes Ga.
Mr.. Weems AMI said, thar, in Offering the
amendment now under consider alton, to the 14ih
rule of this House, he wished to be distinctly I'M
deistood that he not asking for any thing that
as 10 have a retrospective. or post facto opera
ton, any where; for, ii he knew himself he was
one of the las, in the nation who would wish
TO see a line drawn beiN cen the liberty and the Ii.
centousness of the Press; but that he would read
publication that appeared in one of the newspa-
pers of this District; Che Alexandra Pho
nix Gazeue,) that he believed one of the
Editors of that Press holds station on this floor
assigned him under the provisions of the azores aid
rule of the House, that he ould read it solely for
the purpose of explaining to the House why "
came into his mind to offer the amendment; that
when he had done so, it would be for the House 10
determine how fsr it had become necessary TO a.
dOpt he amendment offered. He W ould also take
the liberty here TO observe that, when he was a.
bout TO oIfeT ii. he eudeavored, though neffec ~
ally, TO obtain from the Speaker, his cons,ruc, ion
OF the rule, it stands and had he sue ceeded
IN thai attempt, so far as to have learnt from the
Speaker that he considered himself az possessing
right to remove such s,enosraphers, as, in hi
judgment, had abused The privilege granted HEM it
would have superseded the necessity, in his mind
of offering the amendment. He would now read
the publication alluded to. II was a follows:
1t Is thought by soWe that the House of Re
p eseniatlves, in refusing consider the resolu-
ton offered on Saturday last by Mr.. Weems Of
Maryland, 'ou' hing the transportation OF free ne
groes 10 the coast OF Africa, influenced rather
by indisposition hear he gentleman speech,
than by any hostility to the measure propose, -
al proper time, aud brought forward by proper
person, different re-ut is confidently anticipated
by tie friends of the Colonization system
To the first sentence, Mr.. w. said he had no oh
lection 10 make but he felt himself justified in Of
fering his protest to the la-t whereby it would be
observed, tina, the House is repre enied ester
tain feelings towards member, hich be fiier ed
himself would 10, be found to exit. wish the
| House, he should therefore leave il.
! Mr.. Forsi tn SAID he VAS opposed 10 the resoluS
ton Of the gentleman from Maryland. The para
graph which the gentleman lad read, aud which ~
protested 10 be the of offering the resolu-
lion, apPeaTe 10 him to relate the liberty OF he
press, rather Than The privileges of This Hall. The
question before the House did not involve any re-
Election tie conduct of the Speaker of the House
but related simply TO of the rules OF the House
| end 10 the practice which had grown up, perhap.
unav o.dably, under it. The rule OF the House,
strictly cor sidered, did admit any person W he
was not a - Slenographer." Now if he wa.
correctly Informed, the was but oAe person. oil
these Admitted under The rule, " no was lite
rally Senographer, that is no wrote short
hand, and was thereby enabled 10 take down, YER
batim, the debates OF the House. TO confiae the
rule to persons Of his description, would be- no ~.
ever, practically TO destroy the effec. OF The rale
and the practice had consequently been 10 aIni
| persons WHO took notes what was said, and If.
| rewards Published iiom these no;es, accounts o.
the debaIes and proceedings of The House. II,
was able personally, 10 bear testimony TO the fl
deil;y and care with which this was performed
| But, this relaxation of the rule had been followe
| BY other Ielaxaiions. He was sensible that il wa
diiiicuiI TO distinguish these who here for hi
purpose bona fidc, and those who prolessel 10 de
so, but Ia reality came for other objects. lie be-
Ile'e ed he was correct in saying. that some per,
sons were admitted under the rule, who do not
report at all, nor give analysis of any on,
OF the debates; but, who used their seats in tho
Hail as !0un2ing place 10 spend their mornings
or as post from which, TO abuse the members Oh
| lie House, under he character Of eye Witnesses
10y which their represe ntaions obi aimed the inott
credit wih he pubic. lie believed there wers
but tour persons "ho attended in the House, who
performed, in any way, the duty of reporters lie
scarce knew what remedy 10 PROPOSE or hoty il
was 10 be applied. The persons who Were adj
ri!ited as reporters, but s. no performed no one oil
the duties OF a reporter ought, IN Lis opinion &c
be- expelled. They ought TO be permitted 10
use this Hall as lounge, in which 10 spend some
! hours aSreeably or instructivey--if such wa,
.h'iE ofJct, let them resort 10 the gallery Of the
Houre.
AS to the fact which the mover of this resolu-
ton had stated, viz: The publication OF an article
IN one OF The papers, In which he reflected on
Il had not, so tar a. he could PERCEIVE any rela
ton whatever TO the Rule proposed TO se amended
Inc same statement might have been given had
the editor been seated in the gallery. The paraD
graph alluded to- was certainly libel not only On
the gent himself, but upon the House; - boni
1t accused OF refusing to assent TO, or consider a
certain resolution, )m want Of respect for one
oil It's own members. But this was not an abuse of
the Rule in question, but an abuse Of the press.
"a strenosrapher, as such, answerable for
n0thing bui faithful representation Of what passed
! Z" DEBATE ~ ne happened 10 he the edi or Of a
paper, ana chose 10 accompany his report with re-
marks OF his own, he had perfect right to Go SO;
and, however offensive those REMARKS might be in
DINER points OF view, they violation o. the
present Rule of the House respecting the admi..
SION OF stenogfsphers. He was therefore opposed
10 the amendment OF the Rule now offered; but had
thought 1t proper TO make the present iemarks. on
what he believed 10 be he abuses of the Rule bur
winch circumstances, perhaps, rendered unayioda-
Bile.
After some further remarks from Messrs Bart
lett, Hamilton. Weems and Mitchell, the question
was taken on the resolution Of Mr. Weems. and
decided unanimously IN the negative, and with The
exception OF the mover, who rose when the ave,
were called.
DUTIES ON woOLLENs.
On motion OF No. Mallory, (Cbsifman Of The
Committee on Maruiac'ures,) the House then
went 'Hto Committee OF the ~ hole on the safe Of
Inc Union, Mr.. Buchanan in the chair.
The subj ct taken up. on motion Of Mr MaJ
larry, was the bill for the protection Of the Wool
len Manufactures.
Mr. f.r,.Y s,t,,.;....t 49,