The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-02
New York.

ALBANY, Marcn i, icoA.
a Proposition to Hold Executive Sessions mith Open
Doors Merits Of Candidates should be kaoicn to
the People.
The project introduced by Senator Bristol, for
holding public executive sessions, for the purpose
Of considering and discussing the proprety Of con-
Grming nominations sent in by the Governor, shows,
from the debate which sprung up on the occasion,
tina: there is probability Of its meeting with favor
attic hands Of the GRITTY of the Senate And why
net decide upon tho merits and qualifications Of
office seekers with open doors! Is there anything
wrong or anti republican in it! Any man impor
tuning for an appointment, whose character will
not bear open investigstios, whose qualifications
are tuch ms are not worthy of being submitted to in
oIen Senate, is certainly not q fit or proper person
to hold public Office 1t is very easy to impose
upon the Executive in making selections from list
Of Candidates, where every secret infueace is
brought TO bear, ard Just easy to transmit that
secret and priv ate influence to Senate, with closed
doors Many deserving man has been rejected,
and hundreds Of unworthy ones have been appoint
cd TO Office, through some sort of influence which
was incomprehensible; and SO it always will be,
while the characters OF applicants are stabbed in
the dark, and they never know their assaants.
There are many arguments which might BIO ad
duced in support Of the project Of open doors. all
Kind of legislation should be open to the public eye;
the principles Of this republican government are
nsulht else but free, open, daylight discussion;
secrecy itself induces suspicion Aud when the
slightest sus picon becsmes attached TO Senate. or
any other legsiiz,d public body. that moment the
integrity apc purity Of its members becomes i'm
ppgned and deuoted. No honorable Senator
shoUid ask to screen any Of his acts, while trans.
acting the business Of tue people, under the veil
II secrecy. The privacy d closed Senate chamber,
.. hide his ooir 20 I'll Ger buehel II plainly iadi
Gates that they prefer keeping from the people, o
record OF large portion Of Their public duties. end
would be wiling 70 tay and DO things Of q public
nature ID the caIk, rather than submit their dongs
u the glare II COY
rs " hen the discussion was uLdei gsy on Friday,
those In favor of q sessions, argued that tloy
had been established since tho formation of this
government that the Senate Of thiG State b lad
always acted as well rs that Of other States, and
of the United States, under such rule, and, By
eoItouing IT, YVES only folls Eing precedent Of the
tigheet authority. On the other hand, it vas con-
tended that It was relic of antiquity, OF the dark
and barbarous ages, instituted by the tyranny Of
arstocratic governments, and preserved amongst
this free people, contrary to every dictate Of right,
reattD, or justice. as the people are constantly
moving Onward, with rapid pace in the devolope.
mentt OK scie nee and art, they demand also, that
legislation should rot lag far behind in the i'm
proVenents of the age. II prece dents to rule
supreme, we should not amend cur constitution
from time to talc-our laws would lot no revieed,
nor the proceedings In courts, in pleadipgG and
practice be nado c0rformlble to the times In which
We live. The constitution Of this State has already
.Uiee beer and in many particulars entire
j. altered; by the time nother quarter century rolls
round, another convention will be called TO bring up
The constitution with the progress of the age which
Will then be made ard # secret executive sessions
ere not before that period abolished provision will
then 10 made to strike them from the records OF
senatorial ransacons IL is too lGto in the day TO
argue hat because ourorefathers wo1e three.cocked
hats, krce buckles, and short breoshes we should
LOT consult Genin, Bebee, Knox or Leary, and the
babefdasheis Of the present day. Precedent has
btcoEe entirely obaoleto the progress Of tie age
has travelled 50 rapid and loft the world so far In
tho rear that IT las no meaning in these Lightning
times and the lexi,ogrspters ahead Of rs will un-
d, ubts dy Discard it ON their vocabulary as use
loB ard ursoUght. Instead Of citing presidents as
sta dsTd for present action, honorable senators
night rather move onward In the steam car with |
lutlie opinion nj attic mot - keep within hailing
cis'syro q TIE p)ogloss OF the locomotive age.
shcpld the SfDa & sdcpt the proposition TO trsba