Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-29
alley AGT.D8IAs
MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY %, 1897.

We have recorded, on the opposite page, a
debate which took place in the House Of Re-
representatives., on Thursday last, relative to the
Newspaper Reporters whom the Speaker, by
virtue of rule vesting him with discretionary
pow er, has admitted on the floor.
Mr.. Weems, Of Maryland, whose ridiculous
and troublesome conduct in the House we have
several times deemed i, our duty to remark up
On, proposed to amend the Rule, SO as to COM
pel the Sneaker to exclude the Junior Editor OF
this paper from the privileges hitherto allowed
him; and although MIR. Weems, and his asso-
cia,es IN the dirty plot, would have rejoiced at
the adoption of such a resolution, they were a.
ware Of its Inconsistency, and OF the fate that a
waited il: but they were aware, TOO that it would
afford them an opportunity Of attacking the repu-
mutation OF an Editor, who had successfully ex'
nosed their ignorance s. duplici,y-doue much
towards breaking down the unprincipled leaders
of their party-told and proceed truths, which
others prudcnrially allowed 10 pass unnoticed-
and restrained the senseless gable OF many
hair. Drained driveller, by judiciously applying
he lash Of ridiculel-
"a sacred weapon, left for truths defence;
sole dread Of folly, vice and insolence."
To silence the pen, or destroy the influence OF
such an editor, was Of course desideratum,
and as it could not be done through the CO.
lumns of the Telegraph, base plan was con-
coc,ed to effect the object BY congressional
speeches. How far they have succeeded the
GOOD sense Of the public will determine. The
,c,ors in the ridiculous scene were Mr. Weems,
Of MARYLAND, Mr. Mitchell Of Tennessee, Mr.
Hamilton of South Carolina, and Mr.. Forsyth
Of Georgia; the FIRST two Of whom are notori'
ously the contempt and laughing stock OF the
House, and their elevation to their present Dig
nitv is acknowledged by every one TO be prao-
,;c,l commentary on the maxim-"Ih The bigger
fool, the better luck" The case oil poor hRE-
MER. ought to speak an admonitory language
10 these sapient Legislators, and minutes re-
aec,ion would teach them that such conduct IS
truly unbecoming men whom the whims OF
the peope have so thoughtlessly elevated TO
The rank Of gentlemen, and whose polcy
oush, to be to keep up the ielusion; but TO
induce reflection, or expect prudence from
such creatures, would be as idle as the re-
coated manifestations of the feelings OF the
u,use have been Intellectual in curing them
Of their darling passion for spouting. Nothing
will kee, them in bounds but the chastis-
inp rod of the Press, and in despite OF their
threats, il shall be applied to their already lace
..,sd hacks whenever their folly and impru-
d.nce invite its use. Their groans shall not
,ro,sc, them. They shall conduct themselves
decen,ly, as we'll toward the Constitutional ru-
,s-s of the country, as towards Editors who dis
charge their duty independently, by keeping a
s,lu,ary rein upon the ambition Of disorgani-
-es. and clipping the tongues Of noisy chatter
ers, When members Of Congress deport them
selves as gcu,lamen, they will be respected and
treated as such; but when they descend to bill
I;ngspa,e1call Editors ,oorms, liars, roguss hire
Ings-taIk about co,cskinning the Pre-
sident Of the United States with buying his OF
;rs--denominate the Secretary Of State Po-
gt;cal Jusglsr, and highly respectable Members
,S The House tools and understrappers- the
SNEAKER in his Chair--and outrage decency
,non every occasion, even in toe Presidents
uouse--,hey must not expect to escape ami
,,.dversion, or TO retreat securely behind their
constitutional privileges.
Tie part which Mr.. Forsyth played in
weem's Farce, was no more than we expected.
we wounded the gentleman's pride during the
las, session, by assoeia,ing him with Kremsr
and Mitchell and he will neve: forgive us Tor II,
Knowing tina, he has been governed by mere
sn;ri, Of retaliation, we overlook his folly as
the unavoidable consequence Of his excessive
vanity and childish irritability. Not SO, how
.ver, with Hamilton. He is the master-spl-
-, &C The storm, while Mitchell and Weens
,rs only the bags Of wind which he squeezes
:, Measure. He is one Of those pert little
Gentlemen, who, possessing querilous and
ne.,i,h ,cmpcrs, have been spoiled by be-
mo chosen KnigM Errdnts TO their party, and
WIN, think that their wit and their pistol
he 81, and