The daily gazette. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1874-1883, 1881-03-10
THIRD EDITION
oar Legislative Letter.
A QUESTION OF PRESS PRIVILEGES
"A BILL FOR A RAILROAD COM
IONrER-GENERA AL NOTES.

SlONEh--GENEhAL GO4hoa
Special correspondence Of the Gazette.
DOVER March 9.-The House was
treated to another surprise, this at
ternoon, when Mr.. Robinson arose
and offered a series of resolutions
(printed in the regular proceedings)
in relation to the privileges of the
press within the precincts of the
House of Representatives. 1t can~
not be denied that the correspons
dents of the Republican papers OF
Wilmington have been exceedingly
discourteous in their treatment OF
the Democratic members of the |
House, and that manv OF their ut
terances-which only by the sever |
est stretch of the imagination could |
be called criticisms have been |
characterized by recklessness to
tally at variance with due reghrd
for the duties of correspondent OF
the public press.
The meanest attack upon the ma,
jority of the present Legislature was
that made in Mondays Republican,
in reference to the probable action
of the House upon the bill authoriz
ing the Governor to appoint two ad
ditional Constables Tor Whining
ton. 1t was plainly evident that
the correspondent, in this instance,
was simply initiating the course OF
Willard Pride, formerly of the Every
Evening, who was expelled from the
floor of the House during the session
of 1873-with a desire to undergo
the same experience. The cases
are almost identical-Pride referred
to a bill legalizing certain acts per
formed by Constable VIM. Doran
after his official term had expired,
and used words like these : in
view of this action l am constrained
to believe that the House will now
pass any measures that may be
brought before it, even those bear
ing the stamp OF fraud upon their
face" In Mondays Republican, the
correspondent, referring to the mea
sure spoken OF above, used almost
the very same words that proved SO
Objectionable in the letter of CORES
pondent Pride. 1t Was clear he had
been reading up Pride's case and
Pride's letter, with a view to shar
ing Pride's fate.
But l did not start upon tins sub
ject with view of reciung the woes
suffered by Legislators at the hands
of correspondents, or OF reading the
latter a homily upon a just and pro
per idea of OF their responsible du
Iies-for a regular correspondent,
of all others, should posses decent
conception of the uses Of uewspa
per, and know better Than to CIV
expression to spiteiul Ildicule and
petty abuse under the gulse of i'm
partial criticism.
l simply desired to suggest TO the mem
bers Of The House that the adoption OF
the resolutions offered by Mr.. Robinson
will not prove the proper remedy foI
their griet anees, but will be a blow al
the entire press ofLhe State.
There are various ways in which the
members NAY be amply avenged without
resorIing TO personal violence or in any
way infringing upon the rights privilege
OF the press. 1t is not fair TO hold the en-
tire Slate press resPons Bile for the in
judicious utIerances OF one or two cor
respondents, and would respectfully
suggest 10 the House the propriety oil
abandoning the resolutions aud adopting
measures more just and expeuieHl, aud
which will prove more etiecJuaI.
FOR A X. r. COMMISSIONER.
Senator Cooeh, to-day gave notice OF
an act TO create a Railroad Commissioner
and will introduce 1t tomorrow. 1t is
similar TO the bill defeated at The last
session and provides ior the appointment
of a Commissioner to exercise a general
supervision over the railroad affairs il
this State anu report 10 The Attorney
General all cases Of violation, by rail-
road companies of their charters or tn
laws of the State. He is also empo v er.
ed TO order such repairs to rolling stool
and changes in staloLs as may be re
quisite 10 the public safety and all com
panies shall furnish him with reports 9
their condition. He shall make annus
report TO the Legislature or commute
therereof and may make special re
ports to The Governor. Compensation
$500 per annum with 800 extra q
employing and expert TO make examine
ton into railroad accounts when deem
ed necessary.
THE LIQUOR QUESTION.
Wilmington liquor men are down /
force, tonight, with numbeI Of tue
friends, and had hearing before u
joint special committee Ut the Nv
Houses on the local option bill. ii
general impression now is that if d
bill passes The Senate, at all, it will
materially amended-at least 1t will
stripped OF It's absurd provisions Al
strengthened in its ia ally de!ectl
points.
PERSONAL.
Adjntant General Postles is here, al
with Major Maca lister will talk "a II liza
matters before the House Committee
Revised 5 atutes 10 morrow M rning.
City Treasurer John uthIie, III.
Mclntre, EnOch Moore, Dr., aud Il.
Townsend are here Tonight.
Dover people held another meet
Tonight, 10 consider the subjeci ol /
protection, but took no definite actl,
During all afternoon aud eyeplu
severe storm OF wind and tain prevail
here.