The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-10

", lC4I.
ton he had before offered he had been desrous OF vote
upon by yeas and nays from all who and heard
what passed and was because he had desired that that
he had offered the present resolution
MIR LEAkE, resumng, asked what had been the reso
luton presented TO the House yesterday II proposed
committee, moi 10 inquire INTO the authorship OF the
port they were not to ask who had been the reporter but
as TO the truth OF the report itself How did the gentle
man vary the question by the resolution he had now oil
fered Was the House prepared thus 10 take snap
Judgment without one lot of evidence, and to vote the
expulsion OF reporter on mere "a pate statement Mr.
L. had heard EXPLANATIONS quite as Objectionable any
In the report and even more In thus varying the IS
sue before the House. did the gentleman think he should
secure the substantial ends OF Justice
MIR. DOUGLASS denied that he had varied the issue
one ioa. The resolution he had offered yesterday did
propose that the committee should inquire who was the
author OF the report INTO the facts OF the whole case, and
what members OF the House had had any part in the dis
orderly proceedings OF Saturday last But an individual
all on himself Under this change OF circumstances, he
wished that those who present Saturday, and
who heard and saw what said and done on thai oc
cason would vote directly on the resolution
Mr. LEAkE said a number of gentlemen would be
called on TO vote who had not been here Saturday,
and who had not heard and seen what was said and
done They could not vote on their own knowledge
they must therefore, rely testimony; and admitting
the testimony of the gentleman from Illinois TO be ever
so good, as far it went, the gent eman was not in a
condition satisfy all of these gentlemen, because it was
difficult for members in their hear all that passed.
intervening members prevented their seeing hearing
much that took place at distance; but the reporter
cupyng elevated seat and placed in or near the focus
of sound, could both and hear what individual
member could. The investigation voted Tor yesterday
would bring out the facts and if II should then appeal
that the report correct the gentleman himself would
vote against such expulsion us he now proposed If
the report was true one thai was all that the gentleman
could ask.
Mr.. DOUGLASS said that, the point made by the
gentleman as to reporters seeing and hearing what
members the floor could not he wished TO say word
Surprising he should be standing at his seat addressing
the House, and several members in distant of
the House. but to the reporters seat should make
coarse remark what he SAID on his person or
he denied that reporter because, from his local
position he had opportunity TO hear remarks thus
made aside, and in the confidence OF conversation had
any right to insert those remarks his report of the de-
bate Of the day, Such remarks might not have been
heard by the House, nor have been intended to be so
heard and ought TO be given in account of its pro-
ceedng This had been done in the report of Mr. DIS
speech Yesterday What happened in this familiar con-
bers present, if reported openly made the floor
as to be heard by all, would convey false impression to
the world.
Mr. LEAKE asked if the gentleman had never read
the British reports of debates in parliament and did he
not there observe the frequent nterecton of the word
hear" and sob OH" in those reports; and did the
intended to show the general spirit OF the House, and
the manner in which speech was received They
were constantly given by the reporters, and who COM
planned of it, He called the gentemans attention to
the reports given in the columns of the New York Her
aid, sometimes very accurate and at others, he adj
mitted, complete carcatures. He would find there the
same thing The gentleman was wholly mistaken, If he
supposed that the EXPLANATIONS reported to have taken
place on Saturday were made in private conversation
among groups of members. They were openly made, in
loud tones intended to be expressive of Misrepresentation
They were loud ordinations intended TO reach the ear
of the member from Illinois, [Mr WENTWORTH
Every consideration of the subject went to show the
propriety of investigation by committee. If such
hasty proceeding as the summary expulsion now pro-
posed should be sanctioned by the House they would
ngs OF hostility to editor indulge them in this form
before any opportunity of explanation could be had.
Mr.. DOUGLASS asked if the gentleman from Virginia
meant to say that Mr. d. actuated in this movement
by any such feeling
Mr.. LEAKE said by no means. He verify believed,
the contrary that the gentleman was actuated by what
he believed himself to be simple regard to justice; but
he must be excused for saying that he believed that in
the present prejudice had somewhat got the better of
that genemans uniformly good judgment. "Keep COOL"
was good adage, as well between individuals as some
times between nations Mr. L. said that, since he last
spoke he had received reply to his note addressed to
the reporter, in which he stated that he had not been
present, but that he adopted the report
Mr.. BARRlNGER here to make remark which,
he said, due both to himself and to others He had
not been in the House when the debate took place yeste
day the report in the Union. But he perceived that
his friend from Kentucky mir. G. DAvIsl had referred TO
report in the Union to which Mr. B. had taken some
exception on former occasion. The gentleman had rep
that report 1t is true that Mr. B. had objected to the
port III question, but he had not deemed it necessary to
trouble the House with any complaints about the matter
He had had an interview with the editor OF the Union,
who said that he regretted such report had been made
and had offered proper and satisfactory apology Tor the
The reporter also had done the same thing
Mr. b. thought necessary to make this statement, as
well in Justice to the editor and reporter OF the Union as
10 himself lest might be supposed that he had received
a public insult, and had left it unredressed.
Mr. REID moved the previous question, and II was
seconded put and carried.
resolution, MIR. BOYD demanded the yeas and nays.
The resolution having been again read
Mr.. WINTHROP inquired whether il was not prin-
cple of the common law which suspended the ord
nary forms of parliamentary proceeding, and secured to
any about TO be punished for alleged offence the
right of being first heard by himself or his counsel
The CHAIR replied that such had not been the prac
tce of the House. [Cres of ''No;" "no"]
Mr. KAUFMAN raised the question of order, whether,
as the House had referred this whole subject to COM
mittee. il in order to adopt resolution thus super
sedng its action and virtually taking out OF the hands
of the committed
The CHAIR said il now too late TO urge the ques
Messrs MORSE HOLMES, and GRINNELL sew
orally asked to be excused from voting but their requests
refused.
The roll being called the resolution reiectedyeas
| / nays 81, as follows:
YEAS-Messrs, Burlington, Cranson Douglass, Gid
dings Elias b. Holmes Preston King, Pendlcton Rath-
bnn Runk, Robert Smith, and Stephens-Il.
NAYS-Messrs. Stephen Adams, Arnold, Ashmun, Bar
ringer Bell, Benton }ggs James Black, James A. Black,
Blanchard, Bowdon, Boyd, Brodhead William c. Brown,
John c. Chapman, Reuben Chapman, Chase, Chapman,
Clarke Cobb, Cooke, Collin Crozie Cullom, Culver Cum
ningham, Daniel, Darmgh, De Mott Dixon, Dobbin.
Dromgoole, Dunlap, Edsall, John H. Ewing. Edwin Ii.
Grover Hale Harnanson, Henley IIllard, f. Holmes.
IIough Hopkins, G.. S. Houston, Edmund W HUBBARD,