Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-30

gress and thus was established certainly Dy no
agency or participation of the Newspaper Press OF
Washington, the principle of payment by Congress
for the reporting and publication of its Proceedings
and Debates. This determination on the part of
the Senate was very generally commended by the
New York press and by many other presses in diff
erent parts Of the country, and especially by those
in the chief cities. Not only was this appropria-
ton of public money approved by them, butt after the
plan had been some months in operation, the Senate
was importuned by paragraphs in the New York
presses to appropriate Gas it did, more money to
compensate the Reporter for alleged loss sustain
ed under his contract Where then slept the out
rageous virtue of the Pos" and its coadjutOrs in
the work of defamation, who now represent it as
crime give to receive compensation for more USE
full services of the same sort! Nota breath escaped
their lips, nor line their pens, but of lavish and
sometimes preposterous commentator of the plan
and its results.
To continue our history, however: Scarcely had
the Senate entered actively upon business at
the last session of Congress before its promised
daily record of proceedings was week in ar
rears-by the fault of the system, probably,
rather than of the contractor-and afterwards il fell
behind-hand fortnight; at about which point it
continued during the remainder and most interest
ing period Of the Session. The effect was, that the
Senate sat in darkness. Most of the Senate's Pro-
ceedngs being lost to the country from being out OF
date before they were published, it became appa-
rent to all that this scheme must be abandoned.
In the mean time, and before the abandonment of
the plan, efforts were made mot certainly by the
publishers Of the National Inteligencer) to induce
the House Of Representatives to adopt plan similar
to that tried by the Senate. This agitation Of the
subject suggested an inquiry, addressed to us by
Member Of that body (of the party to which this
paper was opposed) with whom we had not ther
the honor Of even personal acquaintance, as to the
practicability of securing, at the expense of the
House, a more extended and systematic and prompt
report and publication Of its proceedings. This
inquiry was respectfully answered, with the ex-
the willingness of the Propretors of this
paper to undertake the work at the mere cost Of
reporting and composition, ascertained from the
accounts kept in our Office.
In this way the subject came before the House
of Representatives, in which body, on motion OF
leading member Of the Democratic party, it was
referred to the consideration of joint committee
of the two Houses. That committee agreed upon
Joint report, which, although heretofore present
ed in this paper il is thought fit here to repubsh,
not only conclusive answer to all the cavils at
the measure which it recommends, but also as
showing in the face Of what body Of facts the
Evening Post and its associate libeers have COM
bined TO distort and discolor transactions as free
cords of Congress- Here it is:
MoSDAr, AUGUST 2, ls4s
Mr.. BEsros made the following report
The Select Committee of the Senate the publication Of
the Debates and Proceedings of Congress- appointed to act
with the Committee Of the House Of Representatives respect
fully report
That, on meeting and consultations the two committees
agreed that the subject referred them very pro
per for the action in Of the Houses but not for
their joint action and that, consequently, each committee
should report separately 10 its immediate body But
while reporting separately, in obedience TO the constitutional
privilege and duty of each House TO provide for the pubca
ton Of its proceedings they have the satisfaction to say
that they agree entirely in their opinions upon the matter
ferred to the and make the same report each House.
The subject referred them great Importance and
has long occupied the most serious attention Of Congress The
publication Of the debates and proceedings Of Congress due
the country and the members themselves and neces
sa proper knowledge Of the action Of the Government
Public opinion the judge Of and measures under our
form of government and the Houses Of Congress being
the great forums for the discussion Of public measures is
these Houses and what said and done hem that engh
ened public opinion must lock for much Of the material which
is to guide its decision.
The publication of the debates and proceedings involves
three points Of expense and trouble, wit reporting, print
ing and circulating aud each Of these besides requires
and fidelity and reporting requires peculiar talent and educa
ton. Congress, body, could take upon itself the
management Of business requiring much skill care,
pense and trouble and accordingly has attempted IT,
But the publication Of the debates and proceedings in
form and 10 extent being mperavey required by pub
lie opinion, the newspaper press at its cost and trouble,
especially the seat Of government have endeavored TO sup
ply the want but necessarily to limited degree, and at
great sacrifice Of pecunary interest TO ITSELF The Oldest esta
bsbed paper in this city, that Of Messrs Gales Ses,on,
alleged have paid hundred thousand dollars for
porting debates Of Congress within the last thirty years and
doubt the other principal papers which undertook TO give
full reports Of debates paid in the proportion during the
time Of their reporting This mode Of publishing is evidently
expensive for the newspaper press Of this city, and be-
Sides imperfect and insufficient and wthdsws from Congress
the proper control and supervision OF its proceedings
Authentic publications, under the authority Of Congress and
its expense has therefore been the mode which has sug-
gesed itself the adequate Of making the country
quaned with the debates and proceedings Of body entrusted
with the power Of national legislation, and exercising great
influence public opinion throughout, the Union and
this mode Of psbicaon has frequently been made the subject
Of anxious consideration before the committees Of the
two Houses Plans have been reported by these committees
favor Of this mode but general system has been
adopted by the two Houses. partial system adopted by the
Senate for itself at the last session has entirely failed It has
failed at oil the points for which reporting desirable w.t.
prounnttde accuracy and 1n,s;on synoro be ncon Il,