The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-31

feent times during the course OF The session called the
attention OF the Senate to gross mistakes made in the
publcahon OF remarks made by them on this floor.
have myself had occasion 10 notice several instances OF
that kind have thought proper to mention them,
not more than occasion, called the attention of the
Senate to this subject think sir, after the experience
we have had, IT is high time to take some measures
which will involve an investigation as to the ex-
pediency OF continuing this plan OF reporting
measures which will lead to investigation in order
To determine whether II may not be possible 10 pre-
sent the substance at least OF what gentlemen say on
this floor and if that cannot be accomplished, it follows,
think Of course, that the Senate to
themselves TO discontinue the present plan OF reporting
| The senator from Louisiana, MIR DowNs,1 who made
observations upon the report OF some OF his remarks
the other day. may consider his hard one but do
assure him that whatever mistakes may have occurred in
the report of his remarks they silky dopn
pared with those made in some OF my own remarks |
reported, sir time ago, gravely stating this
proposition TO The Senate That 1t rule IN the
Navy Department, whenever pension was granted Tor
disability, To reduce the pension if the disability conlin
ued The gentleman from Louisiana will perceive that
my harder in this respect; that repre-
scented casting direct reproachof uering SANDER
Gus impulaon upon the highly respectable gentleman
who is at the head OF the Navy Department. in say
ing that his rule of action s that the OF granting
pension continuing in full force furnishes reason
with him, for reducing the OF pension granted,
because of that disability.
take this opportunity of adding-because think it
just and rght-that found myself SO reported in the
"Integencer" and upon looking into the report in the
Union found justice had been done me, and that the
substance of what stated there correctly reported
TIT proper to state that the reporters always hear
those senators best who sit on the side OF the chamber
arhest from them which will account Tor the frequent
inability of the reporters for paper to hear that which
is perfectly distinct to those attached 10 the otherhe
respective corps occupying desks at opposite points,
UNION REPORTERS
Without expressing any opinion at all as to the pro-
priey OF continuing the present plan of reporting,
think it is due to ourselves that at least inquiry,
entered nto in order to ascertain if these msrepresenta
tons that have been made cannot be corrected and If
they cannot |, for clearly of the opinion that
should no longer put the country to the expense of pay
ing for reports Of proceedings here which do not do
justice to ourselves. nor give satisfaction to the country
| Mr.. CAMERON. should prefer to have this resoln-
ton referred to the Committee Contingent Expenses
think il is question entirely OF expense Under the
present plan OF reporting, suppose it is done as well as
reporting be dcne but the seems to TO be in
reporting everything tina. is said in making the newspa
Pers Of advertising sheet where speeches given
ia which every worl uttered published, matter how
unlmportan the subjec-fo which the country have to
pay large sum of money | move that the resolution
be amended 10 refer the subject to the Com
mittee on Contingent Expenses.
Mr.. BRIGHT; am opposed to the repeal OF the law
authorizing full report OF the proceedings OF this body
by the two papers OF this city. make objection,
however, 10 reference of the resolution offered by the
senator from North Carolina to the appropriate commit
tee, hoping the committee may be able to offer such sug-
gestonS Tor adoption Will serve to remedy manly
OF the errors and nconveniences that admit exist Under
by the of this body 1t is much the fault OF
the reporters the peculiar condition Of things in this
chamber There is perhaps not a senator here, who
takes part discussions, that has not, since the
adoption of this system found himself often unsupported
and frequently had language imputed to him which he
never uttered. and placed thereby in lase position on
important questions before the country; but this is
cden,al TO The construction OF our chamber the ncon-
venlent positions assigned reporters the low tone OF
voice used by many OF US, and the still formidable
obstacle resulting from the noise and confusion the
lobbies, aided sometimes Inadvertently, doubtess) by
senators themselves
Let the resolution go to the committee and respect
f,lI, tho
evils complained OF, that central position on the
floor be assigned each reporter. But whether remedy
can be provided or not the benefits resulting from the
present system to my ifnl, infinitely outweigh all the
injury complained Of AS the law stands, the sub
stance OF all that senators say here upon private well
as public rights goes to the country Those we repre-
put possession OF opinions and voes thus
keeping up those intimate relations between constituent
and representative, essential to sound and healthy
administration of political affairs As the honorable
senator from North Carolina has laid before The Senate
history of his grievances growing ont OF frequent
ports OF what he has said, trust will be INDUCED with
correction of mis- report OF what had the honor o
saving few days since when offering remarks ir
opposition to the passage OF bill for the relief OF Cap
tain PeIcival, ...
was reported as asserting that Capt Perciva had,
violation OF law and the general police OF the naval ser
vice, taken individual board his vessel under III,
assumed name oil naturalist whose only business wac
that of 'possum hunting" when in fact said, "iossi
hunting THIS is excusable on the part OF the
reporter, for doubtless he is something OF natnras
himself; and knowing who and what were the primitive
ing about my neighbors, never dreaming that fossils en-
tered into the vocabulary OF representative OF the north
western territory do not know that should have re
fened to this of the reporter If he had substituted
the word coOn for that animal that myself ant
friends have established some reputation in the way 0
being able TO destroy But TO be serious, Mr. President
am unwilling to change in present system o
reporting. | believe il is more accurate than any w
have had; and by giving to the gentlemen who under
take this service for eligible position, say in iron
of the Secreiarys desk, will be relieved from muci
OF the modification that often feel on reading mis-
report of what we have said.
AIR. DICKINSON. | agree substantially with my
friend from Indiana Mr.. BRIGHrl think the remedy
will be give little force to the reporters, for
is evident THAT there has not been force enough when
extended debate has occurred.
But do rise to speak particularly with regard L
that matter, but to cali the attention oil the country
rather than the Senate to the character OF thu
Geographic reports OF our proceedings VIII not sa
whose fault it swheher is the fault OF the system
or of the operators or OF both; but wish to advs
the people OF the country that there reliance what
ever TO be placed upon that portion OF the teegapll
dispatches which purport TO give the proceedings o
Congress.
A few days since when the post office bill was unde
conside ration, stated, clear tone OF voice as ID
now, that favored system of free postage Tor new
papers within thirty fifty miles but If could not re
that that would move to amend the report OF The non
oabe chairman OF the committee by reducing the rat
that class OF newspapers to halt or quarter OF cent
found myself reported, IN the telegraph despatch, a
having moved to strike out the clause allowing ire
half cent and the country papers gravely common
upon my taking that position, while professed Y
hold another. These erroneous teegraphc report
are every day occurrence; and the weekly couh
try papers, scarcely reporting the extended de
bates here, rely upon these Geographic COMMUNICATIONS