The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-30
"Ohdcialo Reporting.

More than once during the last session of
Congress we pointed out certain fragrant and
costly absurdities which have been engrafted
upon the official system of Congressional re-
porting. We showed that under the guise of
revising" speeches, members frequently add
whole columns which were never delivered
within the walls of the Capitol; and that an
injury is thus inflicted upon members who are
content with bond tide reports of what they
say. and who are deprived. by the practice
complained Of, Of the opportunity to meet points
which may happen to possess the highest i'm
portance in relation to the question under con-
sideration. /. .~. r-.....
Attention is again directed to the subject by
the publication in Tuesdays Globe Of a speech
extending over three and a half columns, not
one word Of which was spoken in the House
of Representatives, where it purports to have
been delivered.
On turning to the Globe the reader will find
the following in its report of Mondays proceed
ings: ....
THE aEoRaIArA AND THE SUSAN LOUD.
"Mr. SMART. ask the unanimous consent of
the House for leave to introduce the following
resolution: o.. g.. e:@s@
.' 'Resolued. That the President be requested to
communicate to this body, if not incompatible with
been taken, since the 9th day of January, 1852,
for the decentralization by the Spanish govern
ment, Of the captains, owners, and crews Of the
barque Gcorgiana and brig Susan Loud, in conse-
quence of the capture and confiscation Of said
barque and brig by the Spanish authorities
"Mr. HAaRIs. l object to the introduction of the
resolution, and call for the consideration of the
motion to suspend the rules, submitted by me
last Monday. -... ....
"Nfr. SMART. would appeal to the gentleman TO
withdraw his objection, this is resolution
merely asking for information on a subject of i'm
portance to my constituents. .-.a.... .
"Mr. HARRIS. withdraw my objection.
"Mr. SMART. thank the gentleman for his
kindness '.
Then follows speech exceeding three and
half columns, which Mr.. SMART is represent.
ed to have addressed to the members present.
According to this official version of the sayings
of the day, Mr.. SMART assailed the President
and the Administration in no measured terms
for the course which they have pursued in re-
gard to the matters involved in the motion. At
the close of his remarks the report says:
"The question was then taken and the resolution
adopted" |.""' ,"
The unsophisticated readers of the Globe
will peruse this er parte statement-garnished
as it is with extracts from official correspond
ence--as one that was actually pronounced; and
they will regard the apparent silence of other
members after its delivery as indisputable evil
dence that its accusations against the Admins
tration are unanswerable. 'Mr. SMARr'-his
Democratic friends in Maine will say--''com
pletely silenced the friends Of the Admiuistra-
ton; not soul ventured To gainsay his expo
sition Of its incompetence and neglect" And
so, on the strength of these borrowed plumes
of oratory, Mr.. SMART will be proclaimed
throughout his State as one of its brightest
Congressional stars, and fit nun for the SEN
ate-t may be--if Mr.. BRADBURY should fail
to obtain reelection.
Now it is due to the public, If not to Mr..
SMART, to say that this terrible philippe was
not heard in the House of Representatives
Mr.. SMART, by consent of the House, made
his motion, which was agreed to. without
word Of the statement which he would have us
TO regard as speech that admitted Of no reply
If debate had been anticipated, Mr.. SMART
would not have obtained leave to introduce his
resolution, and if, AFTER obtaining leave, he had
spoken the speech which is now attributed TO
him, it would not have passed with tut a reply
Perhaps Mr.. SMART knew this, and deemed il
necessary to attempt very sharp maneuvre to
boodwink his "down eastern friends. We are
sorry to be compelled to sully his oratorica pre-
tensions; the truth must be told though il
may mar considerably his home renown. =
Mr.. SMARr's case, though gross one, is