St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-16

The congressional records, although
popularity supposed to be complied from
rhe minutes of each meeting OF that
body. and to give verbatim reports of
the proceedings of each session, are not
records in the true acceptance of the
term. That is to say, they are not COM
plete records of the dolngs of that au-
gust body since the foundation of this
government.
Probably one of the most striking
illustrations of this failure on the part
of the records to give true reports of the
proceedings of congress is shown in the
fact that one of the most important
measures ever before the United States
congress, at least one from which IL may
be said larger results have been reaped.
has been eXpunged therefrom. or rather
was never placed on the record.
The matter referred TO is the bill
which was introduced in congress by,
Representative Francis 0. j. Smith, of
Maine, April 6. 1888, asking for an ap-
preparation of $4,000 to be given to
Samuel f. B. Morse for the purpose of
testing the practicability of establish
ing a system of electromagnetic tele-
graphs for the use of the United States
government.
JEERED AT BY EVERY ONE.
Old residents who remember perfectly
when Prof. Morse came to Washington
for the purpose of obtaining an appro-
priation from congress, and set up an
instrument in the chambers of the su-
preme court at the capitol, state that he
was jeered at by every one. and openly
IoT, l.
both senators and congressman. The
debates and speeches made on the
subject at the time have all been
made way with since. for the reason,
it is claimed, that it was not considered
wise, in after years, to keep on record
any proceedings that were calculated TO
expose the ignorance and Shortsighted-
ness of this country'S legislative body.
Speeches of the most ridiculous charac-
ter were made in both the senate and
house. One member in the house moved
that portion of the appropriation
asked for should be given to lecturer
on animal magnetism, to experiment on
that subject, which motion was tested
and negatived by vote and count by
tellers. Another motion Was made in
the house that portion of the appro-
briation should be devoted to an expert
vi q W bllS
bers, one and ALL declared the idea of
transmitting message over the wries,
from one point to another, as prepoSter-
Gus, and hooted at the idea.
Prof. Morse, nothing daunted by this
reception, secured the consent of the
officials to set up an instrument in the
capitol, and devoted considerable time
to showing and explaining the modus
Operandi to those of the senate and
house who would visit his apartments.
By this means he succeeded in winning
over to his side quite number of con-
greSsmen, and the matter was kept be-
fore the house throughout two entire
sessions without any degree of success
being obtained. Finally, on Feb. 81.
1913, Representative John 2. Kennedy,
one of Prof. MOrse's converts, submitted
resolution asking that the apprOpria-
ton of $4,000 be granted Prof. Morse.
This again evoked considerable discus
sion. There was now large element
of curiosity intermiXed with the ridi-
cule, and after hanging fire for two
days, vote was secured on the 23d,
which resulted in successful passage
of the bill by vote of SO to So.
While the vote was being taken Prof.
Morse sat in the gallery. his frame trem-
bling from intense anxiety and excite
ment.
The only record now to be found of
this latter proceeding in the Congress
sonal Globe, which professed to give
verbatim reports of the sessions of con-
greSs, is the following, which appeared
Feb. 81, 1913:
ELECTRO AND ANIMAL MAGNETISM.
ION motion of Mr.. Kennedy, of Mary
land, the committee took up the bill to
authorize a series of experiments to be
made in order to test the merits of
Morse'S electromagnetic telegraph. The
bill appropriates 0,000 to be expended
under the direction of the postmaster
general.
son motion of Mr.. Kennedy the
words postmaster general were strick-
ell out and secretary of the treasury in
serted.
Gave Johnson wished to have word
to say on the bill. AS the present had
done much to encourage science. he did
not wish to see the science of meSmer-
Ism neglected and overlooked. He
therefore proposed that one-half of the
appropriation be given to Mr.. Fisk to
enable him to carry Oh experiments as
we'll as Prof. Morse.
"Mr. Houston thought that Millerism
should be also included in the benefits
of the appropriation.
"Mr. Stanley said he should have no
objection 10 the appropriation for mes
meric experiments, provided the gentle
man from Tennessee Gave John
SOM was the subject. A Taught
"Cave johnson said he should
have no objection provided the gentle
man from North Carolina (Mr. Stanley
"Several gentlemen called for the
reading of the amendment. and it was
| read by the clerk, as follows:
Provided that one-half of the said
sum shall be appropriated for trying
mesmeric experiments, under the direc-
ton of the secretary of the treasury
rs. Mason rose to point of order
| He held that the amendment was not
bona fide, and that such amendments
were calculated to injure the character
| of the house. He appealed to the chair
to rule the amendment out of order.
| "The chairman said It was not fol
him to judge of the motive of members
in offering amendments, and he could
not therefore undertake to pronounce
| the amendment not bona fide. Object
tons might be raised TO it on the
grounds that it was not sufficiently an.
! alogous in character to the bill under
consideration, but in the opinion of the
| chair it would require scientific analy
sis to determine how far the magnetism
| of mesmerism was analogous to that tt
be employed in telegraph. Laughter
| He, therefore, ruled the amendment il
order.
"On taking the vote the amendment
was rejected. Yeas. %; nays moi
counted.
The bill was then laid aside, to be
reported"
On Feb. %. 1913, the following APP
peared in the Globe: "On motion Of
P. j. Kennedy the bill making APP
| preparation to test the value of Morse's
| magnetic telegraph was taken up, and
under the operation of the previous
question passed. Yeas, 80; nays, 49,
| TRIED TO DEFEAT THE BILL.
| Several members of the house who
had opposed the bill united in a de.
termined effort to defeat the passage in
the senate. The amount of business