The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-10-14
A Reporters Joke.

| fifty years ago, was as remarkable for his
humor as his professional ability. When
ever any one offended Morgan. or got out
of favor with him, he invariably retalisted
in the way of some practical joke, that
generally placed his antagonist in very
ridiculous position, and afforded the hu-
morist satisfaction. In this way he once
4" got even" with two individuals at the
same time, who had excited his ire, name
ly, the celebrated Wilberforce, then a lead
ing member of the opposition in Parlia-
ment, and one Jack Finnerty, a Paria-
mentary reporter of the Morning Herald.
Finnerty was fresh from Tpperary, and
quite unacquainted with the characteristic,
Of the different members of the Parliament,
but he received a good deal of generous
professional assistance at the outset of his
career from Morgan OSullivan. On the
occasion now referred to, Finnerty came
into the reporters gallery, at a period Of
night when the debate seemed to have
one Of the benches, and requested his
friend to wake him up if anything lively
come before the house, and thereupon
went off to sleep. Presently Mr.. Wilber
force got upon his legs, and addressed a
very thrilling speech before the house
AS he progressed mischievous iIea
seized Morgan O'Sullivsn, which as soon
as Wilberforce sat down, he proceeded to
put in practice thus:
Rousing Finnerty from his slumber on
the benches, O'Sullivan exclaimed, Jack,
Wilberforce has just made an extraordina-
ry speech
What about 2" returned Finnerty, rab
bing his eyes
About the potatoe; the effect Of it on
national vivacity-the great virtues of it
As an article of popular diet; proved that
the finest kind of men were reared on it,
far superior to the English
Wilberforce said that, did be {" ex
claimed Finnerty come let me take his
remarks in full from your notes"
With pleasure my dear fellow" replied
O'Sullvan, who commenced as if reading
from note book, whilst Finnerty eagerly
wrote after him in the following vein:
"Mr. Wilberforce then emphaticaly re
marked, that it always appeared to him
beyond a question, that the great cause
why the Irish laborers, as a body, were so
much stronger and capable of enduring SO
much more than the English arose from
the surprising virtues of their potatoes"
That's what [ call eloquence," inter
rupted Jack Finnerty.
"And ] have no doubt CONTINUED Mr..
WiIbertorce) that hal it been my lot to
have been born and reared in Ireland
where my food would have principally con
sisted Of that inesimable root, instead Of
being the poor, intirm, .hrivelled and
stunted creature you, sir, and the honora
bic gentlemen behold me, l would nave
been a stout. athletic, handsome man. able
to carry an enormous weight
"Well done, Wilberforce," exclaimed
Jack. in high glee; "go on Morgan"
O'Sullivan then proceeded in the same
vein of pathos and absurdity, but adroitly
keeping within The bounds that Finnertv' s
credulity would swallow, until, he had
| placed a most whimsical speech in the
mouth of the grave aud earnest Wilber-
force. 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 num-
Der Of the reporters of the different morn
ing papers were regaling themselves, here
Jack furnished them all with copies of
Wilberforces Speech" and the hoax
found its way next morning into all the
London papers, with the exception of the
Morning Chronicle, to which, as matter
of course, the correct report was furnished
by O'Sullivan The public were astounded
at the extraordinary speech which accord
ing to the papers, Mr.. Wioerforce had
made, and the general opinion was ex-
presses that he was candidate for Bed
lam. The following evening, on the
speakers taking the chair, Wilberforce
arose and claimed the indulgence of the
house.
Every honorable member" he observ-
ed, has doubtless read the speech which
| am represented as having made on the
previous night. With the permission OF
the house will read it." Here the hon.
orabIe gentleman read the speech amid the
most deafening roars of laughter. g can
assure the honorable members that no one
could have read this speech with more sur
prise than myself did this morning when
found the paper on my breakfast table
For myself, personally, [ care but little
about it, though if were capable of utter
ing such nonsense as is here put into my
mouth, it is high time that, instead of being
a member of this house, were an inmate
Of lunatic asylum. 1t is for the dignity
of this house that | feel concerned, for il
the honorable members were capable ol
listening to such nonsense, supposing me
capable of giving expression to it, 1t were
much more appropriate to call this thea,
tre for the performance of Earces, than {
place for the legislative deliberations Of the
representatives Of the people"
This was only one instance of many IL
which Morgan O'Sulivan paid off, to hi:
hearts content, members Of Parliament
and other potential personages, who hac
in some way or other, provoked the wag
gish propensities of this incurab!e humor