The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-21
CLOSED DOORS IN THE SENATE.

CLOSED DOORS IN THE SENATE.
| A question has come up in consequence Of the
scenes that are passing in this city, which may
deserve one moments respectful consideration. At
the first session Of Congress which assemblies in a
new administration, there is necessarily consdera-
bic number Of new nominations. Old commissions,
too, run out, which are TO be renewed or super
seeded by others Such is the case during the present,
session of the Senate. The doors are closed from
day TO day. Various nominations have gone in.
The Senate have acted upon many Of them; others
are yet pending; and some Of them are Of such
character as to produce not little excitement and
discussion out Of doors. The conversation turns
not only upon the qualifications Of the nominees,
hut upon the prospects Of their confirmation, and
abounds in speculaons to what is going on in the
closed doors Of the Senate. Sometimes fact leaks
out through some inconsidera,e remark of mem
Der, or in some other way, which is embellished by
the Imagination Of the man who hears it. Some
times the character Of the nominee becomes involved
in the rumor, and sometimes improper designs are
imputed to the executive wbb makes the nomna-
ton, or to members of the body who are
said to oppose il. Even intrigues are supposed
to exist, for which there is no adequate foundation.
But whatever be the state Of the case, rumors are
thrown into circulation, and find their way into
the newspapers, which calculated 10 do mischief
to one side the other, and, in the mystery which
prevails over the movements of the Senate, false
hood sometimes tiumphs over truth Besides, the
people are kept in the dark, and on that account are
frequently misled, either about the conduct of the
President or Of the Senate or OF the character of
the nominee.
Is there remedy for these mistakes' Are they
not to be attributed to the mystery which shrouds
the proceedings Of the Senate. Is there any
necessity in all Of appointments to close their
doors This is the problem which comes up, and
we state it with all due respect to them, but with
equal regard to the rights Of the people. That what
ever the formation the adoption OF treaties
with foreign states, the appointment of our for
eign ministers, should be discussed only with
closed doors, ia position which no consdera,e
man is willing to deny. But is il necessary to
throw the veil of secrecy over all domestic appoint
mentsl These doubts are not of modern origin, ar
appears from the following article from the same
pen which traces these hasty lines, as published
on different theatre, in July, 1s43. Ii, at all
events presents fact which may perhaps be new to
some Of our readers
ANOTHER REMINIscENCE!
"Open Sesame I"
A fact Of rather a curious character occurs in the
early annals Of our federal government, which has
escaped the notice OF most Of our politicians. The
constitution went into effect on the 4th March,
l7s9--and, for nearly four years, the doors Of the
Senate chamber were shut, and the debates were
sealed book to the people,
Among the other objections which were urged by
Mr. Henry and his friends in the State convention,
against the adoption Of the constitution, the follow
ing was one of IA minor character" "That the am
biguiiy with which the direction for publishing the
proceedings Of Congress was expressed, ('from
time to time,) put il in their power to keep the
people in utter ignorance of their proceedings; and
thus to seize the public liberties sby ambuscade.' !"
rs Wirts Life of Patrick Henry" chap. will
The first part Of this prediction was originally
fulfilled, far as related to the Senate. A very
useful volume has been recently published by
Messrs Lea e. Blanchard, Of Phiadepllia--and
we hope the design may be continued, so as to en-
brace the proceedings under every administration
entitled "History Of Congress, exhibiting Classi-
6cation of the Proceedings Of the Senate and the
House Of Representatives, from March a, 1889, to
March 3, l793--embracing the First Term Of the
Administration of General Washington" The 18th
page has this remark: at is be regretted that the
rules Of the Senate, during the period embraced in
this volume preclude the possibility Of reference to
any debates which have taken place in that body ~
At the next session Of Congress, motion was
submitted on the 29,h April, 1880, 'hat the doors
Of the Senate chamber shall be open when the Sem
ate is sitting in their legislative capacity, to the end,
that such Of the citizens Of the United States as may
choose to hear the debates Of this house, may have
an opportunity Of so doing" But 10 on the fol-
lowing day, ''this resolution was eonidred and
gatirsd."