The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-03
Reported Proceedings OF the House OF Rep
resentatives.

We took occasion recently to point ont the
unfairness of the system Of official reporting
that prevails in the Senate, aiiordng az il does
every facility for altering speeches to meet the
wishes or supposed interest Of the speakers
We said that such system strikes at the in
,egrity of reporting, as between the Senate and
the public, and that the character of all parties
concerned-speakers and reporters-required
its prompt abandonment.
We now find that the practice prevails as ex-
tensively in the House Of Representatives, and
of course with the same injurious effects. The
Globe Of yesterday, in its report of the proceed
ings Of Wednesday, thus notices the speech of
Mr. DISNEY on the kossUrH resolution:
"Mr. DIsSEy, who entitled to the floor, nd
dresscd the House in some remarks (Which he has
withheld for revision) on the right Of the Commit
tee of the Whole the state Of the Union TO origi-
nate bills and resolutions, and in favor, in certain
contingencies, OF the doctrine Of intervention in
behalf Of freedom to the Old World"
Ii is fair to assume that the privilege of re-
vision granted to Mr.. DISNEY is granted TO
every member who chooses TO avail himself Of
it. IL is a part of a system which has grown
out Of the relationship that exists between the
House and its recognised reporters, and is APP
parenty used without hesitation or compunc-
ton We think, however, that every dispas-
sionate observer will at once see that such a
privilege is at variance with honest reporting
and materially lessons the historical value OF
the record for which the country is yearly
called upon TO pay.
That the value Of reporting is great only in
| proportion 10 its accuracy, IL truism on which
it were needless TO enlarge. Every thing de-
ponds upon the fidelity Of reports. We do not
mean their literal fidelity, for in numberless in
stances that would be Incompatible with de-
cent regard for the rules Of grammar; but Gdel-
ity which conveys to the reader the exact idea,
ms nearly as possible in the exact words, Of the
speaker. reporter who takes this view of
his duty is bound TO act impartsly between
the parties reported and the public he is
responsible for the accuracy of the transcript
he presents. and cannot. without injury TO his
own character, submit to cncroachments or in
Justice on one side or the other. The public
look upon him ms an operator. engaged in the
| fuliment of a certain task; and he violates
that task, and iorfeiis his own title to conf
dence, when he permits himself to be made the
medium of conveying unfaiihfuI reports OF wlrs'
transpros within his jurisdiction.
The idea of Withholding a speech for revi.
sion, as announced by the GIobe, thro IS a sus-
picion over It's entire reports. Is the word "revi.
sion " meant to Indicate only 50 much exami-
nation as is necessary 70 guarantee the accuracy
of the report2 If this were all, it would be
comparatively harmless, although still wear
ing an ugly look; for no one familiar with the
degree Of perfection to which the arts of steno-
grsphy and photography have been carried, can
doubt that accuracy is obtainable without any
revision by the speaker. But revision" as
alluded to by the Globe, is. we fancy, vastly
more significant and Objectionable. II means
elaboration, cxpurgation, correction. or amend
ment, as the particular case may require. 1t
means alteration to suit the wishes or purposes
Of the speaker-without check on the part Of
the reporter, or knowledge on the part Of the
public.
In proof Of our assertion, we refer TO the col
umns Of yesterdays GLobe, containing what
purports TO he report OF the protracted discus
sion in the House on "Wednesday afternoon and
night During nearly the whole time the rule
! limiting each speaker to five minutes was in