The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-02-05
EXCLUDING TIE REPORTER OF THE MER.
CURY.


is published upon our outside to-day. In the
Convention, on Wednesday last, the following pro-
ccedings were had relative to that paper:
Mr.. T. j. Coglan, of Sumter, offered the follow
ing resolution: ;,
Resolued That the reporter of the 4Iereury be
excluded from the floor and privileges of this
house.
The motion was carried and Mr. Logan retired.
The President ordered the Sergeant Arms to
exclude the reporter of the Mercury from the floor
of the house.
Mr.. +. j. Moses rose md requested that several
members who desired and did vote against the rcso-
luton might be allowed to enter their names OF the
record us so voting. The following members then
rose and announced their names US voting against
the resolution F. ]. Moses, Jr., DR.. L. B. john
son s L. Boozer. c. Nj. Olsen, S. A. Swails, W. j.
Whipper, Bailey Milford, T. Hurley, John A. Hun
ter DR.. N j. Newell, VIM. Perry, c. p. Leslie, Dr.
J. c. Neagle. Rev. ]. NJ. Runion.
The President asked the privilege of recording
his vote against the resolution, as no reason had
been assigned for the exclusion of the reporter.
lie therefore voted no.
r. C. DeLarge voted no, because he thought the
members ought to be able to protect themselves,
and not seek it of the Convention.
Later in the day, the members evidently thinking
that their action in the morning was not sufficient
ly explicit, this affair again became the theme of
comment, under the following circumstances; and
in the manner detailed by the reporter of the
Courier:
Mr.. D. H. Chamberlain rose and said he desired
to offer the following resolution, as an explanation
of the action Of the Convention at the present ses
sion, and moved its adoption:
Whereas, X. B. Rhett s. Brother, Editors and
r. NJ Fuller and Roswell T. Logan, Assistant Ed
fors of the Charleston Msrcury, scurrious and
libellious paper published in his city, have pub
ished false reports of this body, and through
backgunrdism of its members proved themselves
to be wholly unworthy of the privileges of this
floor which should only be extended TO gentle
manly conductors of the press; therefore,
Resoired That the snid X. Is. Rhctt & Brother,
R. NJ. Fuller and Roswell T. Logan are hereby ex
pelled and excluded from the floor OF this COnven-
ton.
Resolucd That the President be requested 10 see
this order of the house enforced
The President decided the motion of the mein-
Der offering the resolution bo a9uostion of privi-
lrge and could therefore be entertained.
j. j. Wright said he was glad the resolution had
been offered. The first resolution offered excluding
the reporter of the .Nercury from this Huor wns
rushed through with such rapidity that no time
was given for an expression of opinion. He was
opposcd totally opposed to excluding any person
from the floor OF the House. he did not vote
either way nor ask that his vote might be recorded
But if he had voted and asked that his vote might
be recorded it would have been in the affirmative,
Notwithstanding his opposition 10 The exclusion OF
any reporter or editor From what he had seen
and heard he thought it requisite thatthe reporter
of The Mercury should be excluded. dny OF two
ago they had fight, the first he had ever wit
nessed and he learned there were others upon
the floor who would not take the SANDER Of the
porter Of the Mercury. As they Ind TO choose be-
tween two evils lie would take the least, and ex-
clude the reporter, though lie was opposed TO any
such course.
If the reporter had remained and the Mercury
Ind continued, us in the past, there are persons
here who would, no doubt, have attacked him,
blood would have been spilled and perhaps persons
in the house perfectly innocent have suffered. lie
was therefore, perfectly willing the reporter should
bo excluded. But he wanted an opportunity TO
express himself and show the people that he was
opposed to such course. This was simply setting
up m old Standard which, for many years had
been regarded as the standard of people who had
stopped below the dignity of men. When men re-
sort to strong arms they lower their dignity. If
there are persons in the Convention who will stoop
so low MS to notice little sheet, making its
living by meanness, it would be coming down very
far beneath, the dignity of gentlemen He was in
favor of free speech and free press an editor
is perfectly responsible for anything he does and
the law is open all persons irrespective of color
But he was in favor of expulsion to avoid greater
evil.
A call vas made for the previous question, which
was sustained.
Mr. D. H. Chamberlain, mover of the resolu-
ton, said the privilege of q seat upon the floor OF
this House by any member of the press, is simply
obtained by the consent of the body 1t is cour-
tesy which is ordinarily, and almost universally
extended to members anu representatives OF The
press by all similar bodies Du. it is not right
which any man can claim 1t is not right winch
any member of the press can claim. and when the
body which extends that courtesy feels that that
courtesy has been abused; when the representa-
tives of the press, instead of confning themselves
TO their legitimate business, descend TO libels and
scurrous sketches of individual members, it be-
comes the right, if not the duty Of the body, to
withdraw the courtesy and privileges extended.
The members of the Convention feel that the course
pursued by the Mercury tends to breach Of It's
pcuce, and il is upon that ground mainly that this
resolution has been offered, and will be supported
by the members of the Convention Itis upon the
same ground that ibcllous articles may be punish
ed by law and tend hence to breach of the peace.
The members do not want the excitement and dis
grace Of personal encounters within the walls OF
the house or any where else. in consequence Of mr.
ticlcs published in the papers of the city. Upon
the ground then that they had right to do it and
that it is necessary to prevent possible breach of
the peace between the man who desccnds to this
business and the man who feels himself aggrieyed,
this resolution is offered
The question being taken on its passage, the
resolution was adopted.
Mr.. F. j. Moses, Jr. rose and desired to have
his vote recorded in the negative.
II. c. DeLarge asked to be allowed to change his
vote on the first resolution, which was made in the
negative, in consequence of the rapdty with which
it was rushed through. He now desired to be re-
corded as voting yes, which was granted.
THE PAY OF MEMBERS.
This subject has been discussed at length, and
with deep interest After protracted discussion