The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-14

Speaker. 1 rise to a question of per-
sonal privilege.
The Speaker-The gentleman viii State
il.
Mr. Sullivan of Massaehusetts-Mr
Speaker, I should like to proceed in my
own way for two or three minutes, and
then l will state the question of personal
privilege, and in the meantime l will
guarantee that nothing parliamentary
will be said by me before the question
of privilege is reached. In order that
the gentleman from New York
The Speaker-The gentleman, it seems
to the Chair. ought to state-perhaps the
gentleman is about doing so-his ques-
ton of personal privilege. because he
obtains the floor to a qlestion of per-
sonaI privilege. OF course, the gentle
man can state it in his own way; or the
gentleman, if he does not desire to state
his question of personal privilege, can
ask at once. If he chooses to do SO, for
unanimous consent to make a personal
explanation.
Asks Unanimous Consent.
Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Afr
Speaker, ask unanimous consent for a
personal explanation.
The Speaker-The gentleman from
Massachusetts asks unanimous consent
for a personal explanation. Is there
objection? latter a pause.i The Chair
hears none.
Mr.. Sullivan of Massachusetts-Mr
Speaker, in order that the gentleman
from New York might be present during
discussion. l gave public notice upon
the floor of the House last Friday that
today 1 would reply TO an article pr ated
on February 9 in the New York Ameri-
can. a newspaper owned and edited by
the gentleman from New York fMr.
Hearst].
On Tuesday last. while the gentleman
from Florida mr. Lamarl was address
Ing the House upon the bill empowering
the Interstate Commerce Commission 10
fix railroad rates, l thought he was
eriticising too harshly ms democratic
colleagues for their failure TO support
the so-called Hearst bill.
Colloquy of Tuesday.
1t occurred TO me- that some of them
might eondone the cffeItse by explaining
that the bill had been fully discussed
before them. 50 I asked the gentleman
from Florida a question and eolloquS
ensued.
mir. Sullivan read an extract from the
Record containing the colloquy to which
he referred
Lack of Enthusiasm.
from TINS VIII DG SSbIt tildi simply
sought to furnish the reason for the lack
of Democratic enthusiasm for the
Hearst bill. which was depiored by the
gentleman from Florida, by suggesting
that the discussion upon the moor py
the gentleman from New York OF MS
own bill might have produced the de-
sired effect upon his party associates
The gentleman from Florida. however,
did not take my suggestion kindly, put,
Instead, replied that he could not fur
mis- me- with ellfciCiaf lOn OF the Dill
and comprehension also. L nave not
been certain since whether he was mere
" stating the we1i-known physical law
that makes one Individual incapable or
transferring to another any portion OF
his powers of comprehension or whether
his statement was based upon the reail-
cation that the condition OF his mental
treasury made is dfminut1on by char
liable transfer exceedingly dangerous 70
himself. But, however that may be, my
suggestion TO the gentleman from Flor
ida excited the ire of the gentleman
from New York and inspired the news
paper article of ..hich l complain.
Ordinarily newspaper CRITICISMS 90
not call for reply Our public men I'M.
derstand the duty the press owes to the
people and they accept fair criticism
OF their actions without objection. The
people have the right to complete in
formation of the proceedings of ieg1sla-
tive bodies, of the votes of the mem
beers and the public debates therein.
Sgcf. information is given fully and i'm
partially by the press. and 10 TINS
agency is aIIf1DullDte III LiSA OSSISS
the intelligence of our people respect
irg public men and public measures.
Errors of Excitement.
Sometimes in the heat Of partisan
campaigns the PRESCRIBING a human
agency, and therefore not wholly I'M
moved b. popular excitement-nakeS
an exaggerated statement, and occa-
sionally an incorrect statement But
If these are not destructive OF reputa-
- Ill flfaxxT n
without criticism, or, II correction is
asked, il is almost invariably given as
soon as the error is made manifest 10
the publisher
There are circumstances, however, in
which complaint Is proper, even neces-
sary- Where the proprietor or news
paper is also a member of Congress. he
owes a double duty to his colleagues to
be fair and impartial in his newspaper
criticisms OF them. His first duty IS to
the country-to be accurate in his re-
ports OF legislative proceedings, so that
the people may not be mistaken in their
views on public questions or prejudiced
In their judgment Of public men. His
second duty springs from his ofTlce-
to be just TO his fellow-members. who
are engaged with him in the perform
ance OF a patriotic task. These obii-
cations bind him as firmly as the laws
OF the land, united with considerations
of justice and a due regard for the
amenities Of official association. are cap
able of binding such an individual. a
breach of these obligations is offensive
to the law, to justice, and to the pro-
prieties. It affects the dignity of the
House and of every one OF its members.
For these reasons an attack that would
be properly ignored If made in news
paper not owned by a member OF Con-
gress may impeFatively demand notice
when delivered in a newspaper that is
owned by member OF that body.
Rights of Members.
For every member OF this House must
be free 10 hold and express his opinions
upon public measures unrestrained by
force or fear. if he would render the
b1st service TO his constituency and mis-
country. TO diminish the right to hold
and express his own views Is to dimin-
ish the value of his services 10 that
constituency, which is assumed 10 have
known the political opinions of It's Rep
Tesentative and to have elected him TO
legislative Office so that those Jews
might be impressed upon the laws Of
the land. This right of free speech is
: sacred a q tn "A free IRE