The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-12-07

Tho Senate and the. Reporter OF
is8 fW.wi.H Is ~ ~

The action OF the Senate, in the
adoption ofas resolution which debars
the reporter OF the Charleston NeDs and
Courier from the privilege of a seat at
the reporters desk. until written
apology should be made for the indig-
uity which was done it, in stating in his
correspondence OF last Thursday, that
the bill to prevent unjust Discrimination
BY railroad companies. was intended as
matchmaking operation, is matter
npon which we do not care to comment.
The further action taken. yesterday, de-
mands one.notics at our hands. This
We shall take as q peatral, and without
Communication with any of the parties
named. Inetaking it, we shall not oon.
slider either the Ne,os. its correspondent.
Mr. Dunn, (who introduced both the bill
which provoked the comment and the
resolution ;of oensure.j or she Senate it.
self. in any other than public light.
1t interests as as presenting question
which concerns the rights Of individuals.
the liberty of the press, aud the privi-
leges Of Legislative. body. The re-
porter OF the Netos, upon being made
aware Of the sense Of injury which was
felt by MIR. Dunn, and of the action of
the Senate. promptly addressed to the
tormer gentleman letter, in which he
avowed his regret for his language, and
admitted that it was hasty, anl uttered
upon imperfect Information. Ho de-
sired it to be received by Mr.. Dunn as
an apology to himself, as the main Oh.
Ject OF the grievance, and through him
to the Senate. This, We think, met the
demands OF propriety and justice. and
literally answered the requirements of
the resolution of censure. 1t was ga
written apology" and it made all the
required reparation, expressed. it seems
to us. in language to which no excep-
tion can be justly taken. It has been
objected to it, that il was meant for Mr..
Dunn and not for the Senate. But it
is distinctly rendered as atonement to
him, and through him to the Senate.
It was eminently appropriate that Mr..
Damn should be not only its recipient
in his own person. bat the channel
through which it should pass to the
body. He introduced the bill which
was siigmatized as ''intended as q black
mailing operation" lie offered the reso-
luton OF oensure, and he was the per-
son who had the right to complain.
When explanations and satisfaction were
made to him. therefore. they were made
to the body of fwhioh he is a member.
This would have been the proper con-
struction of an apology. if made to him
alone. But its author, in express terms,
rendered it to him, and through him to
the Senate.
10 going further, and saying that he
appreciated, M. Dunn as in sympathy
with the people OF the State, tie re-
porter was' guilty of no impropriety,
and cannot in fairness be considered as
rejecting upon the Senate. In debate,
yesterday, several members proiessed to
discern In these expressions covert
satire upon that body. But MIR. Dunn
is Republican in good standing in his
party. gsHe fully vindicated for himself
lhis position in the course of the discus.
lon yesterday. although. in common
With Mr.. Jervey and some other Sena.
ors. he sustained the boilers in the last
State electfoh. Certainly it ought not
to be interpreted as derogatory to any
one else, OF to anybody, that Mr. Dunn
ls complimented as being in sympathy
with the people. If there is satire in
that. if it implies censure on any one
else, it is not because it is uttered mere
~. Finally, in indicating to Mr.. Dunn,
at the close Of the letter Of xpla anation,
that he might have it spread on the
journal, the News reporter exhibited,
we think. still further spirit of ccnci-
iiation. 1t looks as il it was in response
to the demands Of the Senate. But by
it's action, yesterday. the Senate re-.
turned the letter to Mr.. Damn az un.