The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-08
THE UNION.


etymology of this exceedingly interesting exclamation.
But this will say, that regard much less dsgraoeful
to use the same, aforesaid exclamation bah bah p or
put down in the report OF dsordery discussion than
to persist in disordery effort to violate the rules OF
this House do not know how many made use of the
expression, but know this Mr. Speaker that myself,
in my seat efore rose for the purpose of calling the
genemao order, did give evident and audible tokens OF
dsappr6baton What the words were which used, 1
do not know, but know that did not SIT silent The
reporter doubtless heard such expressions they were
dible all over the House.
Mr.. DOUGLASS. Perhaps the gentleman misappre-
bends what said said my colleague was called TO or
der-tha in calling him to order there was no offence
said it the exercise of undoubted right on the part
of the member from Indiana. Therefore for his calling
him to order or any other man calling him 10
order, attempt not 10 allow him to speak in a
manner not pertinent to the question, was cause of
complaint But do understand the gentleman as saying
that the insulting matter in the report did occur?
AVOlCE-[to the right OF the Speakerl-''lt did oc-
ANOTHER VOICE. "Did you say bahr"
Mr.. DOUGLASS There is not member of this
House who will arise and say it did occur
Mr.. KENNEDY. The gentleman may call il disgrace
full il he please, but myself uttered frequently the excla
MN Mr. DOUGLASS. That amt W. word I'm talking
about laugh and a yolce.-<lt is BAH"
Mr.. KENNEDY | said the gentleman disgraced him
know; but words equally disrespecfu, il the gentleman
calls bah y disrespectIq, were used in the House
Mr.; DOUGLASS What am contending for, is this ::
whether that word .'bah p was used The gentleman
from Indiana says he intmated privately to the gentle
man from Illinois to "sit down"
Mr.. KENNEDY I said nothing about doing ii 'pr-
vatey." said II openly, loudly, sir. True, did not
address the Chair but told the gentleman to st down p
Others said SO also; and really Mr. Speaker do not
know but did use the word bah " If did not utter IT.
' Mr. boUeLass sus1 All have got to say is that any
member is prepared to avow that he, in the connection
shown in this report did that language, I, and be-
ieve every rue-t thinking in this House will feel
bound to vote to expel that member as well as the
M. T. ISNr IL Il =. I
onslaught on the Union" upon me, tell him that |
will not shrink. tell him that that report, 50 far
mig recollection enables me TO Judge Of H. about as true
report of proceedings IN his House. as Ihare read and
is no libel on this House repeat that if the gentleman
supposes that he get this House to expel for tax
ing upon me my own portion OF the disgrace, instead of
meany attempting to throw il reporters who not
responsible he may make the attempt, but am not I'M
willing to let the country Judge of the matter mean
to say this that SO far as my recollection OF that dis
graceful scene-for so | call t-whoever he may be
that made that report about giving graphic
and faithful account of it any reporters have
seen attempt giving report OF those dsodery scenes so
to speak of this dgnifed body-whch frequently oc
cur here, and which disgrace to this body Sir,
these disgracefu scenes will never cease If you permit the
onus to be cast upon the reporter by saying that they
have lbeled you The way to correct this evil is to
hold members to order. Teach them something OF the
dignity OF the position on which their constituencies have
placed them Let them learn to appreciate their response
bily, if for other than for respect and
not attempt to shift it upon those who are not concerned
And as to the use of the word 'bahpI appeal to this
House, and every portion OF It, If IT is not perfectly noo
that that member persisted in the effort to make
speech which he himself acknowledged to be out of or
der. Now, what ask the member from illinois is
thiswhether who will persist in utter defiance of
decision of the Chair in attempting to introduce what
out of order, deserves anything better than the insult
thrown upon him from every of the House?
put that question to the gentleman from Illinois
Mr. DOUGLASS. | will answer the gentleman.
think there is a material difference between uering
alsehood for the purpose of going on record with view
of m n ths House u
full remarks on this floor though out of order. That was
the usual course for instance, of the venerable gentle
man from Massachusetts, [Mr. ADAMS and it was the
course OF gentlemen who make personal explanations OF
a moming-a thing never did.
Mr.. KENNEDY. The gentlemen will not be permit
ted to escape his predicament in that kind of way do
not to assert that gentleman guilty of Improper
conduct, if he respectfully addresses the House, even
when not exactly in order, if the House toeats his de-
teman from Illinois altogether different He persist
ed in defiance of the House, in the attempt to speak out
OF order But, be that as may, what have to say in
conclusion is this know nothing about the motives
porter in this case know nothing Of the existence Of
any disposition to libel the House, any member of it,
nor do care still less about the quarrel between
the gentleman from Illinois and the editor of the Union
is tempest in teapot do not stand here to defend
the editor OF the Unon but stand here to do justice
and to protest against any attempt the part of this
House to shift its just responsibility account OF re-
port OF the truth. repeat the avowal of my convictions
50 at as my n s a n me- that n s report aus
individuals have felt the sting, it is because they have
neglected to apply the proper remedy; and hope, MIR
Speaker, that this House IN future instead OF attempting
to throw off its disorder the shoulders of reporters
will learn to preserve the dignity of the body. If the
House thus do its duty, Mr. Speaker will be response
bic that reporters will not libel you
DIR WlLMOT then rose and said, that he occupied for
the first time any public position in the country but he
trusted he had some appreciation OF the privileges and
rights OF the members of that House He condemned the
the report He asserted that the House did not unite to
insult the gentleman in the manner stated IN that report
He (Mr. WO saw or heard nothing of the kind lie did
witness disapprobation, and he would have been glad
and he thought that the gentleman would have done well
to have yielded to what the evident desire and mani
fesations of the House. little earlier than he did But
it to be that editor could represent that any
Der of the House held up contempt by the House
because he had quarrel with him
Mr.. BRODHEAD. There has been a good deal OF
unnecessary irritation in regard to this matter; and as
this day has been designated for the consideration OF very
important business connected with relations with
Mexico have arisen for the purpose OF moving the
previous question: in order that may proceed to that
business.
Mr. DROMGOOLE. move to lay If on the table.
Mr. G. s. HOUSTON then rose to address the chair
The SPEAKER; The motion is not debatabe.
Mr.. G. s. HOUSTON. / did not rise to debate it, but
10 make inquiry of the chair.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman will state his ques
ton. at
Mr.. G. s. HOUSTON The resolution as it is worded
by the gentleman from Illinois, does meet the facts
OF the case, understand them There is disagree
ment as to the correctness of the report One gentleman
has impunged its accuracy--anoher has endorsed it.
wish the gentleman from Pennsylvania would withdraw
his motion Tor the previous question, that the subject
may be referred to 4 committee
Mr.. BRODHEAD withdrew the demand for the pre-
Mr. g. DAVIS said that the reporter for the Union had
grossly insulted gentleman from North Carolina Mr.