Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-02-03
From The Christian Freeman.
RETURN OF MIR. LEAVITT'.

From The Christian Freeman.
RETURN OF MR.. LEAVITT.
We sincerely regret that this Argus-eyed advo~
cate of human liberty cannot be permitted seat
with the other reporters within the hall of the
House Of Representatives. We doubt not that
the Honorable Speaker is a chiyalrous and cour-
teous gentleman, and fell back very gracefully up
on the Nirgnlan prerOgatve, strict construction,
when he informed Mr.. Leavt that there was no
room for him, unless in the gallery. No one, we
imagine, can mistake the motives which led the
Speaker to this decision with regard to Mr.. LeaV-
it,. Nor do we wherein it is impossible for
him, to expand the principle Of strict construc-
lion, as to exercise an absolute censorship the
whole corps of reporters, and determine what po-
lncaI principles shall admit them to the Hall.
We entertain, however, humble confidence in
the courtesy ofthe Southern Speaker now occupy
ing the chair, and his lIlusrlOns successor, who
ever he may be. Having acquired from the plant
>nbserviency of the North, the divine right Of Gus
tom to an unlimited succession IN the Speakcrship
and Presidency of this Republic, we trust that they
will exercise it with magnanlmlty in view OF the
placid and dOcile weakness of Northern Freemcn.
The slave power should initiate other giant forms
of despotisn, and sometimes be even generous
where pity would do more than force.
We trust, then, that Mr.. Speaker Jones wIlInot
bring under the ban Of his "strict construction
all )ur Northern reporters, without regard to par
ty In TIE case OF Mr.. Lcavitt, his "rccction"
will probably OCCASION but little unpleasant emo
ton among the great majority at the North. 1t Is
known the world over, that he is one of those {" ia
nutcal, political abotjonistS," whom both of our
parties have taken great pains to represent to
the slave-h holding regency as unworthy OF notice at
home or abroad. To this class of which we are
proud to betbe hunble>t one, the rejection ard re-
turn Of this undaunted champion Of their cause will
be a signal for new and simultaneous effort to
shake from the neck of this slavc-ridden country,
an iron-hcarted dynasty which suppresscs the dear
| est prerogotiyes ofthe free.
Editorial Correspondence ofthe Emancipator,
Washington City, Monday Jan. Is, 1914.
DEAR RHADrHs,-It is the will Of the slavc-hold-
cr who now holds the office of Speaker of the
House Of Representatives, that should no longer
enjoy the privileges ordinarily allowed to report
crS on the floor ofthc Hail. In accordance With
my prediction, the regulation Of things was put off
from day to day, plantation fashion, and no def
mite answer was given to the reporters, who appli-
ed for permits, until todd ~. Shortly after went
to the HAIL. the door-keeper came to ne very civ
lily, and said the speaker had given me no permis-
sion TO be in the Hall. asked him why not, but
he gave no reasons, and returned my letter of ap-
| plic0ton with tho endorsement, in pencil " Leave
not granted by the Speaker" OF course, ! took
my hat and paper, ard posted into the gallery.
Determined not to take up any second hand or
Of the House, and then waited on The Speaker in
person. for an explanation. He received me very
courteously, ard said he had many more apphca
tons than he had desks to give to reporters, and
that The rncs only allowed him to admit as many
as there were desks. told him it had been the
usage heretofore to admit greater number-that
it was seldom that all were in their seats,-that
several had seats in the Senate chamber-that we
could "rlde and tie,' &c, but he said the rules
were quite strict and he did not like to set the eX
ample of violating the rules. Ofcoursc, could
say nothing more, and it was his business to know
the rules. On returning to my lodgings, borrow
ed a copy Of the rules, and trunscribe all that
bears upon this matter.
"18. StcnOgraphcrs wishing to take down the
debates, mag be admitted by the Speaker, who
shall assign such places lit does not say deskSl to
them, on the floor or elsewhere, to effect Their OBJ
ect shall not interfere with the convenience of
the House.
10. No person shall be allowed the privilege
of a stcnographer without a written permission
from the Speaker, specifying the part ofthe House
uot desk assigned to him and no reporter or
stenographer shall be admitted under the rules of
the House, unless such reporter or stenographer
shall state in writing, for what paper or papers he
is employed to report"
My application to the Speaker was in the fol-
loving form
" HoN. JOHN w. JONES. Speaker.-The I'M
dersigne1 respectfully requests permission to oc-
cupy a desk, as he has done for several years, as
reporter for the Emancipato newspaper, of Bos-
tOn. JOSHUA LEAvITT,
December 9th 1913.
The letter was returned as stated Jan. IS, 1874
The explanation that can give is, either that Mr..
/ Speakers discretion did not think it compatible
with the general welfare" to have the reporter
for the Emancipator'' on the floor of the House
every day, or else was excluded under the " Vr-
ginia resolutions of 49," on the principles of
g strict constructions" by which the words este
nographors may be admitted by the Speaker, who
shall assign them place." are found to mean,
" The speaker is not allowed to admit more re-
porters than there are desks" The reasons in ia
vor Of one explanation evenly balanced by
the reasons in favor of the other, that | cannot
attempt to decide which preponderaes. | there
fore refer it to the five thousand subscribers and
twenty thousand readers of the Emancipator to
determine whether was excluded on the prinoi-