The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-20

REVISION or DEBATES BY SENATORS.
The Senate proceeded To the consideration OF the fol-
lowing fesou,on, submitted the 10Th Instant BY MIR
DAvis, OF Mississippi: IL . s. "N III
10 require the popueto Of the daily papers employed TO
print the debates of the Senate publish the same
furnished reporters, Whont allie being
by any other person ia their and that 80
much Of the 'e.onuons 2. one n OF August isis ana %
revised or written our by senator's SHAH De-
and is hereby, rescindea
Mr. DAVIS of Mississippi. The object OF that reso-
luton is to secure the publication OF the current debates
as they occur the Senate that what senator says
may go the country and 50 that that may not go to the
county which he dld mol say u senator may revise
leaves him who replies in The attitude OF replying 10
something which he did not say. Ga the other hand, II
he can introduce matter into his remarks it ensues
that il goes before the country that he stated that which
was not replied TO- but which required reply from the
one who engaged with him in the debate That is the
object oil the resolution. ,
II has been suggested to that an exception should
be made OF those speeches which termed set
speeches. and where the senator may request beforehand
some reflection doubt whether it is necessary, in the
printing OF the debates in the daily papers, make such
an exception, the Congressional Globe furnishes an
opportunity for every senator to revise his remarks, and
in reality the record before the country Of
the debates which occur in Congress
Mr. CASS | trust that upon reflection the senator
from Mississippi will withdraw this resolution; Tor will
place some of US in very unjust position before the
country and certainly will deceive the country in many
instances There are gentlemen here-and the senator
from Mississippi nsance-who enunciate so DIS
timely every word they utter heard hy the Re
porter and reported correctly But there are others whom
the Reporter never report am, unfortunately
among them; and senator who here years
ago and who known all here for the qualities of his
head and heart Colonel Sewer, OF Arkansas,) often
talked the matter over with me- tor ne was IN the same
situation that No Reporter could ever report either
him or me- Ii is the fault of the Reporters There IL
an ndstnctness in the enunciation or complication OF
sentences. or something else do moi know what II is
rfron uprtIp nfu s
There was also gentleman from ONO who could never
say word that would be correctly reported Now, this
being my situation, should certainly prohibit the Re
porter from reporting one word OF NINE have re-
Deaeiy observed in the notes OF the Reporters sent
inens Thai totally disavow illusions thai never made,
illustrations that | never brought forward me conse
ouence will be that either should not be heard at all
should be entirely misunderstood and the next day
should have to get up and explain and SO OF the whole
Senate. Day after day would be occupied by ms pro-
change what he said upon the floor He might amplIfy,
but he would change il as 10 place his opponent
in improper position before the country bul repeat
upon this floor. and | am sure mat should be one OF
them.
Mr. HALE confess. Mr., President. sympaathizng
entirely as do with the unfortunate situation OF the
ator from Michigan, Individual case, yet think
taking what is called national view OF the thing, that
his suggestions are rather an argument IN iavor OF me
resolution He suggests that II may deter some OF us, It
understood him, IRON speaking often think, sir,
that if il would have that effect would be very saln.
tary resolution II i would have the tendency to make
us fear that we should not appear quite well before
the public in talking as we might hy Keeping silent, II
might induce some oil us who are 80 troubled win the
desire talking 10 say less IN the Senate and think II
would have an exceedingly salntary operation.
Besides sir confess 10 have suffered IN way differ
snt from that OF the senator from Michigan. have
sometimes endeavored in my poor way to reply TO some
remarks which have been made in relation TO something
which had suggested TO the Senate. had thought,
sir-perhaps il vanity-hat had answered the man,
well or i'll When came TO look the reports they
| nrin tied nv IL
had made il but the speech which had undertaken TO
answer had gone--he Lord knows where and IN the
place of il was substituted something had never heard
of in The world think that is as great an evil as the
one which the senator from Michigan complains Of !
think that what purports to be report OF the debates
ought be report OF the debates and not report OF
something which we would have said if we had only
though, Of in lime. | remember once hearing friend
in the legislature OF New Hampshire speaking OF one OF
his friends who he thought was rather quick "and,
says he could make as good speech as you cam but
am troubled with afterihoughis" liaugh lerl Now,
SIR do not think who has reason to complain OF
aftehoughs should have the privilege OF inserting these
part OF the curen, debates OF the Sen
ate | think that justice and common honesty require
that what purports TO be literal report OF what said IN
the Senate should be that, and nothing else.
In regard that other part OF the resolution which re-.
ates to set speeches, entirely Indifferent. hope
sh all make SET speech as long as live. Myway
is to get up if have anything to say and when have
got through to sit down. daughter and not TO get up 10
make set speech think that TINS resolution should
have the effect cut of OF the set speeches. would
ton looks to the honest execution OF what the Senate
propose do hope that that portion of IT, at least will
be adopted.
Now sir one word to the reporting in the Senate.
have read these reports have read other reports and
have converted with gentlemen who have read report
OF debates in delberatve assemblies the world over and
will venture 10 say that better reports OF the proceedings
of any deli berave assembly in the world never went out
than have gone on, under this system which we have
just adopted, and think members make mistake when
they undertake TO correct them Tor hlnk be Reporters
leave much better Than we show ourselves 10 De-
certainly would not have this construed strictly as not
allow the Reporter to correct any little slips when may
occurbad grammar, the insertion or omission OF prepo
sons, and The like when they necessary TO be cor.
rected The correction of the Latin, as my inend INT
FooTEl suggests, or the poetcal quotations., or quota
lions Of any sort, would not object to- but this snosti,
tuition OF something not said for that which was said
think ough not be tolerated. and cannot be IN honesty
therefore hope that the resolution will be adopted
Mr. CLAY This resolution embraces a subject OF
than general interest But think il would be better
perhaps not 10 much time IN relation 10 II,
and therefore TO lay il upon the table.
Mr. BADGER Will the senator from Kentucky give
way moment
Mr. CLAY yielded
Mr. BADGER ! merely wish 10 state a matter OF
fact--enely concurring IN the suggestion OF The senator
from Kenlucky-in reply TO remark made by The sena-
from Mississippi that gentlemen would have Their
speeches published IN a revised and corrected form in the
register Of debates OF the Congressional Globe. THIS
would certainly very large portion OF the ohec
ton 10 this resolution but observed notice lately that
that publication would be discontinued after the close OF
this session. now renew the motion 10 lay the resou-
lion upon the table,
Mr. DAVIS, of Mississippi win the senator with.
draw for a moment
Mr. RADGER Withdrew The motion