New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1859-08-05
A Reporters Joke.

Morgan 0'sullivan, an Irishman, and celebrated
Parliamentary reporter, attached to the London
Morning Chronicle some fifty years ago, was as re.
MsIkabo for bis honor ss bis professional ability
favor with him. be invariably retaliated in the way of
some practical joke, that generally placed his sntsg
onist in very ridiculous position, and afforded the
humorist satisfaction. In this way be once got
had excited his ire-namely, the celebrated WILDER.
force, then leading member Of the opposition in
Parliament, and one Jack Finnerty, parliamentary
reporter Of the Morning Herald Finnerty was fresh
from Tpperary, and quite unacquainted with the
characteristics Of the different members of Parlia.
ment, but he received good deal Of generous pro-
fesonal assistance at the outset of bis career from
Morgan O'Sulvan. On the occasion now referred
TO, Fnnerty came into the reporters gallery. at Pc
Fiod of the night when the debates seemed to have
elackened; he concluded to take doze on one Of
the benches and requested bis friend to wake him up
il anything lively came before the house. and there
npon went of to sleep. Presently, Mr.. Wilberforce
got upon his legs, and addressed very thrilling
speech before the house.
Ashe progressed, amischievons idea seized Morgan
O'Suliyan, which, soon as Wherefore sat down,
he proceeded to put in practice thus Rousing Fin.
nerty from his slumher on the benches, O'saivan
exclaimed, "Jack, Wilberforce has just made an
Fnnerty, rubbing his eyes. "About the potato The
effect Of it national vivacity-the great virtues of
it article of popular diet proved that the finest
kind Of men were reared on it, far superior to the
claimed Finnerty; " come, let me take his remarks
in full from your notes. "With pleasure, my dear
fellow" replied O'sulvan, who commenced as
If reading from note book whilst Finnerty eagerly
force then emphaticaly remarked that it always ap
peared to him beyond question, that the great cause
why the Irish laborers, as body, were SO much
stronger and capable of enduring SO much more ia
figue than the English, arose from the surprising
virtues Of their potato. That's what call elo.
quence," interrupted Jack Finnerty. Morgan re-
snmed, And have no doubt CONTINUED Mr.. Will
berorce) that had it been my lot to have been born
and reared in Ireland, where my food would have
principally consisted of that inestimable root instead
OF being the poor, infrm, shriyelled and stunted
creature you, sir, and honorable gentlemen now be-
hold me, I would have been stout, athletic, hand.
some man, able to carry an enormous weight Z" Well
done, Wilberforce,' exclaimed Jack, rubbing his
hands in high glee !" go on, Morgan O'Sullivan
then proceeded in the same vein Of pathos and alb
surdty, but adroitly keeping within the bounds that
Finnerty's credulity would swallow, until be had
placed most whimsical speech in the mouth Of the
grave and earnest Wilberforce. Finnerty with many
expressions Of thanks to his brother reporter started
for the Herald Office
On his way, turning into tavern close by the
House Of Commons, where number Of reporters of
the different morning papers were RECALLING them.
selves, here Jack furnished them all with copies Of
Wilberforce's speech" and the hoax found its way
the next morning into every paper in London, with
the exception Of the Morning Chronicle, to which,
matter of course, the correct report furnished
by O'Snllivan. The public we're astounded at the
extraordinary speech which, according to all the
papers, Mr. Wilberiorce had made, and the general
opinion was expressed that be was candidate for
Bedlam. The following evening, on the speaker
taking the chair, Wherefore rose and claimed the
indulgence of the house. Every honorable mem
bern he observed, " has doubtless read the speech
which am represented as having made on the pre-
vious night. With the permission Of the house,
will read it, (Here the honorable gentleman read
the speech amidst the most deafenng roars of
laughter.) :" can assure honorable members that
no one could have read this speech with more sur.
prise than myself did this morning, when l found
the paper on the breakfast table. For myself per.
sonally, care but little about it, though, if were
capable Of utering such as is here put into
my mouth, it is high time that, instead of being a
member of this house, l were m inmate of some
iunatie asylum. It is for the dignity of this house
that I feel concerned for if the honorable members
were capable Of listening to such nonsense, supposng
me capable Of giving expression to it, it much
more appropriate to call this theater for the per.
Torrance of farces, than place for the legislative
deliberations of the representatives of the people,.
This was only one Of the many instances in which
Morgan O5ullivan paid off, to his hearts content
members of Parliament and other potential person.
ages, who had, in some manner or other, provoked
the waggish propenses of this incurabe humorist.