Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-10
a CURIOUS FAcrIN LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.

From the National htetlyeaeer Of Hareh IL, 1918.
1t cannot have escaped the observation Of those VIII
have attended the Legislative history Of countr
at with the growth Of our Government the complexion
az the SENATE OF the United States has gradually yarie
from that which appears have in the infancy
political institutions and that the character Of III
deliberations and nearly approaches that
tho Representative Chamber.
The Senate its first organization under this Consti-
tution secluded itself from the public eye and appears
10 have been considered rather in the light Priyy
Council the President than coordinate branch Of
tSc Legislature. Indeed, if mistake not, was so
termed in conversation occasionally il in official pro.
ceedings Of that day There not many probably Of
the present generation Of readers who remember the fact
that the first session Of the first Congress the United
States President WASHINGTON personally came into the
Senate, when that body engaged what is called
Executive business and took part in their deliberations
When he attended he took the Vice Presidents chair and
the Vice President took that Of the Secretary Of the
nate other Of the Secretaries heads of Depart
uents occasionally accompanied the President these
visits The President addressed the Senate the ques
before them and in many respects exercised
In respect their proceedings which would be deem
sd entirely incompatible with their rights and privileges
This practice however did not long continue An occa-
sion Of collision Of opinion between tile Presi
dent and the Senate nomination. and he did not
Afterwards attend but communicated by message what
be desired to lay before them.
st this period the Legislature well Etecatys pro-
eedngs of the Senate always transacted in
session and the public knew Of the proceedings Of that
branch Of Government only from its to the other
House announcing its decisions 1t became evident
ever that in practice all responsibility to the consu-
emit under such circumstances ideal but il was not
until the Goth Of February, 1874, after considerable
struggle that the Senate to resolution that its
Legislature proceedings should after the end Of that
sion be public and that galleries should be provided for
the accommodation of auditors On this question find
the yeas and nays registered nineteen members having
voted for il and eight against it.
From the day Of this triumph Or popular principles the
Senate has gradually parted with the character Of
which appears to have belonged IT, BY the increas
OF its members from the admission Of States into th
Union its legislative business has become laborou
that its peculiar character Of E1ecure Council is al
most overlooked Notwithstanding the great importance
this feature in Government and the debates in th
Senate Of much greater length at this day. in proper
tion to the members composing the body, than those
the House Of Representatives.
1t has long been subject Of regret that the debates
the Senate have not been regularly reported and W
perceive that regret increase in proportion the So
nate acquires the popular character We shall bereae
divide our attention equally between the tw
branches Of the Legislature and avail ourselves of
aid we can procure give satisfactory reports Of the pro
weddings in the Senate well as in the House Of Repre-
scutaycs for the National lntcgencer well as for
Congressional History which have idea Of under
taking