The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-10-05
to avoid the PERSONAL responsibility
for its appearance.
JAMES II. BAKER, Reporter"

reporting nun 40 o' PON NO"'iNt
from the penitentiary of the State Of
Iowa; therefore, be it
ResOlued, That the Sergeant-at-Arms
be and he is hereby ordered to re-
move the said Baker from within the
bar of the House, and hereafter notsto
allow him the privilege of reporting on
this floor. "i
Mr.. Robertson rose and stated that
he assumed the responsibility OF the
substance of what was contained in
the first of the articles read, but that
he had nothing to do with the publish
ing of the same. ,.. ...----s ....s ....
He said: The statements In the
card of the reporter are true. l feel
that an attempt is being made to
strike him over my shoulder. l am
responsible for the remarks, and Mr..
Morrison knows where to find me.
Mr.. Robertson was interrupted
several times by Mr.. Morrison, who,
in most excited and boisterous man.
ner said Mr.. Robertson was "a GoD
DAMNED LIAR. Great excitement
cries of order, etc. ~. ... -.-- ..--......
As soon as Mr.. Hawkins could get
the floor, he called the attention of the
Chair to the gross violation of the
rules, saying:
Mr.. Speaker, as an act of justice
to ourselves and to our constituents, l
move that the member from Anderson,
Mr.. Morrison, at once be placed under
arrest by the Sergeant-at-Arms and so
held until he has made epology to
this House. -....:E --..tE a- -s.- .,,-,
Mr.. Morrison-I will assert my man
hood-Im no bully-won't fight. I'll
PUT THE SCREWS OF THE Law to Mr.. Rob-
ertson for those base lies.
McLean-Mr. Speaker, / wish be-
fore we proceed to vote upon this
resolution to call the attention of the
members, that the reporter has not
been guilty of the offense charged,
which is slandering the gentleman
from Anderson. He simply reports as
having occurred what was heard by
me and by others as having occurred,
and he gave it as legitimate item of
news. 1t is not the first time report
ers have come into possession of
scandalous reports regarding members
of this Legislature. Reporters have
the right to furnish such reports to the
press. 1t is their business so to do,
and I can see no question or trouble be-
tween Morrison and the reporter. If
he is aggrieved, Robertson says he is
the responsible party, and the member
from Anderson should seek redress
where the grievance occurred. .,
Slaughter, of Smith, trusted the
gentleman from Anderson would with
draw his motion. On questions OF
party or of friendship he would be al
ways found on the same side with that
gentleman, but will not vote forthis
resolution to expel Baker. He is a
professional reporter; reported this as
an occurrence, and is not to be held
responsible for the truth or falsity of
the charges made by the gentleman
from Robertson. There can be no
ground for expelling Baker. Inter
rupted by Morrison-'Pm not dog
they attack and chase me-" ...
Mr.. Slaughter-The gentleman is
justified in feeling hurt, but 1 think
there is no quarrel between him and
the reporter. know he will atall times
right any wrong or correct any errors
if approached in person or by letter
hope he will withdraw the resolution
and not compel his friends to vote
against it, as shall most certainly do
if it comes to vote.
Mr.. Morrison, excited-I have man.
hood enough to protect myself This
is Islander without cause or provOca-
ton. am no shoulder-striker. Twill
repel an attack if one is made, but /
will not attack Robertson. He has said
what he knows TO be false. He is a
liar.
Mr.. Robertson-There is no need
of the person from Anderson saying
he will not fight; the world is well
aware of the fact. For a man who
won't fight, he handles the word
''liar" quite handily. 1 consider the
course from whence it comes, and
shall take the method, time and
place that suggests itself as appro-
pirate. That place is not on this
floor nor when he is surrounded by an
army of State Police. Morrison was
surrounded by Tracy, Quick, Cox,
Harm and others. .... .....
Mr.. Schutze-I sympsthize with
the gentleman from Anderson. Yet
1 hold that the reporter is not the
party concerned. He states an occur
renee and gives his authority; pub
fishes statements as he receives them.
On this floor a gentleman claims the
responsibility, and says the article is
correct in substance.
Mr.. Morrison, greatly excited
Robertson is God damned liar.
Mr.. Speaker wish to call the
attention of the members of this House
to the rules governing members, aRd
to say that 1 shall enforce them.
Mr.. Schutze continued only wish
to say that have been through the
same order. Most of these members
remember the attack made on me by
the Houston Union. As soon as l
found out the author l had nothing
further against the paper. 1 made it
my duty to see the author, and he
and Isettled it privately, to my en-
tire satisfaction. There are certain
personal matters which every gentle
man knows can be settled promptly
and effectually only in one manner.
The customs of society and those un-
written rules recognized among gen.
tlemen, suggest the proper mode of
adjusting those difficulties. This is
not the time or place, and the fight is
not with the reporter. Therefore l
trust Mr.. Morrison will withdraw the
resolution.
Mr.. Evans-No one can deprecate
more than 1 do this whole debate; the
manner in which it is conducted, and
the statements which gave rise to it.
l think the words, if uttered, are hasty
aud improper, and Yeti must sustain