69
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1858
of these gentlemen that these obituaries should be properly pre- pared for distribution, as thousands and thousands are writing here, requesting that they may be furnished with them. Mr. Houston. I shall feel that the action of the Senate is retro- active and disrespectful to the memory of these gentlemen if it refuses now to follow the usual course. If it is to be prospective in its action it can very readily intimate that now, and it will be understood, and then if an instance should occur hereafter, this printing will not be expected. If. gentlemen intend to retrench at this point, they should go further in order to make the retrench- ment perfect. Every column that is published of the proceedings of' Congress costs seven dollars and a half. That expense has already been incurred in this case; and what is now proposed is but a trifling addition to that. In order to perfect the system of economy it will be proper not to make the announcement of the death of a member at all. I cannot see why it is that it is neces- sary to begin here with the proposed retrenchment when it is retroactive in its influence upon the body, and upon the world. The honorable Senator from Maine [Mr. Fessenden] who opposes my proposition, had an agency in inaugurating this system, as he says, in reference to Mr. Clayton. I admit his distinction; I admit his worth; I admit the eminent service that he had rendered to the country; but is that to be the rule of action? Are excep- tions to be made among those members who have departed, upon a supposed distinction between them in point of eminence? The Senator from Maine intimates that benefits are to flow from such publications to those who delivered the eulogies. If that is sup- posed to be the case, I shall move that the remarks I made on the death of my late colleague be excepted, for I did not think them tither worthy of the occasion, or creditable to myself, being un- prepared. I felt a delicacy in moving in this matter, because of my participation. I was importuned again and again to bring forward some measure to secure this publication. I was solicited to do so by my constituents, who desired to see what had been said on the occasion of the enunciation of the death of their dis- tinguished Senator. From Maine, from New York, from every portion of the country, I have received application for these obituaries. I have brought forward the proposition from a sense of duty, not for the purpose of rendering my name conspicuous, or showing what fine things I had said, and in order to gain ecla.t from the world. I had no disposition to steal notoriety without fame, nor did I care much about that. What I said was imp·romptu, and without preparation. I shall move to amend my resolution
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