The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22
gmemtp=Strth Congress.
UNITED STATES SENATE,
"WEDNESDAY, June II, 1910.

WEDNESDAY,, june II, 1910.
Mr.. CLAY, of Alabama, rose and was proceeding
TO censurc the National lnelligencer Of to-day for
the omission of the latter portion Of his explanation
and remonstrance IN regard 10 the Intelligencers
port of the proceedings on Mr.. Poinsets project
when he informed that the omission was caus,-l
by hurried and certainly accidental oversight Of the
Globe Reporter, TO whom alone he handed his notes
when no Reporter of the lnielligencer owing TO sick
ness, present.
Mr.. c. then read the residue Of his explanation
and went on TO make further remarks censurng
the reports of the Inteigeneer and editors of
papers.
the public that he would not be responsible hereafter
for any report Of his speeches in which lie did not al
pear to speak in the first person singular
Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, expressed, very proper
ly, his dissent this practice Of occupying the aticn
ton of the Senate with corrections of errors of the ~
porers, and administrations on the press. He sad
there was no hazard in declaring, that for misr,
presentation put forth OF the opinions III
Senators the Administration there were at least
ten published concerning Senators in the Opposition
Mr. Clay justified the conductors and contributors Of
free presses in making their differences the mea
sures and proceedings of Congress. In reply to what
had been said OF the reporters taking their the
terms designating acts of the Executive Congress
from the language Of Senators, he maintained the,
had perfect night to do so. He Mr. Clay, of XVI
had characterized the Subtreasury rs project for
Government Bank Was any one to be- liable 10 cen
sure for repeating that in the public journals OF the
country The same was the case in regard 10 the
project of the Secretary of War II had been refer
red to repeatedly IN the Senate, a scheme for
Standing Army-and were the reporters "a be blamed
for referring 10 il in the same manner?
lie concluded by saying that he never for his own
part corrected the Of reporter or letter
writer. There Were, unquestionabIy abuses of press
but he was willing to submit for the sake of It's in
Vulnerable benefits, and trusted his character to
sustain him amidst the misrepresentation and abuses
with which he assailed
Mr., CLAY, of Alabama received these remarks oi
the Kentucky Senator in very good humor He
complained OF that gentleman having ectured him as
To the proprety OF his and he maintained that
was his duty, as well as right, TO msrepre
sensations and libes lie again referred, in terms Of
condemnation TO the practice Of reporters giving i'm
proper designations 10 measures, following in this the
tone given by Senators themselves He spoke par-
cularly of Mr.. CLAY, Of Kentucky having called
certain land bill donation of the public domain
which term, he alleged was Immediately caught UP
and repeated by the Opposition press
Mr.. CLAY of Ky. said tina, he had no, given lee
lures TO any man but when matter submitted
to the Senate for its consideration he would take the
liberty to express his views it he thought fit As
othe Land Bill in question he had thought it do
naton"-and he characterized il and now he
peated that designation He again protested against
bringing these complaints and corrections of error into
the Senate
Mr. CLAY of Alabama, again rose and after some
remarks on the Land Bill referred 10, he said that
this Chamber or out OF il, he would repe it as h.
thought fit
Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky And have only 10
add, that whenever subject is brought here ior
the consideration Of the Senate, will assert my
right to express my opinions, regardless Of conse-
quences
Mr. LINN expressed the opinion that i, would be-
better To make the reporters hereafter officers of the
Senate and responsible for the accuracy of their re-
ports, He would do those gentlemen the Justice 10
that he did not believe il was their intention a.
misrepresent the proc seedlings but il was impossible
in human nature to reach such degree of indifference
as net to have some party color tinge He had
been msrepresentcd himselfbut he believed not in
tentionally
Mr.. WALKER said he had no complaints to make
OF the reporters either side, but he would offer /
resolution on the subject which he thought should be
adopted.
tie then proposed the appointment of Committee
to inquire into the cxpediency of appointing an equal
number OF reporters each side who shall be sworn
TO report faithfully the proceedings othe Senate The
resolution lies one day