The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-13
WEDNESDAY, APRIL Q. 1853.
OPEN SESSIONS or TnE SENATE.

OPEN SESSIONS TIE SENATE
Mr. CHASE. | submitted resolution yesterday
which suppose may as well consider now, ana
therefore that be taken up and now considered
The motion TO take up was agreed TO- and the Senate
proceeded consider the following resolutions winch
read:
ssved That all sessions and all proceedings Of the Sen
confidence by the President shall be receved
considered and such other cases as the Senate by
resolution from time TO time shall specially order ana 20
much Of the 3Sh 39h and ih rules may be inconsls
tent with this rule rs hereby rescinded
Mr. CHASE. ! suppose every senator understands
at the object and character OF that resolution
shall propose TO modify H. but only TO make IT take
effect from and after the next session OF Congress
The changes proposed 10 be made 10 this ex-
tent only That instead OF having class oil OBJ
ects such treaties and nominations, referred ex-
clusively to the consideration OF the Senate IN secret
session, the sessions of the Senate TO be made
cret only upon the consideration OF matters commune
Gated in confidence by The Executive and such matters
also as the Senate itself shall deem TO require session
with closed doors That the whole effect OF the change
contemplated by this resolution As The rules OF the Sen.
stand. treaties are considered 10 secret session.
and so nominations II they be altered as PROPOSE
treaties if iii confidence by the Executive
will still be considered in secret session. But there IS
large class OF treaties which involve very high consider
atoms of a legislative nature and many OF which the
President would probably feel perfectly willing 10 com
municate without requiring that in considering them we
should sit here with closed doors In regard TO all that
class OF treaties involving considerations OF that charac
ter is quite desirable that the public should be IN
formed and that they should have fui information IN
So far as nominations are concerned. see reason
why the debates upon nominations should not be public
far the considerations belonging TO those nomlna
tons public their character whenever any ques
tons involving private character brought to the no.
tce of the Senate, it will be in The power OF any com
miee having charge OF those nominations 70 propose
their consideration secret session. or II VIII De IN Inc
power of any member OF the Senate to propose secret
session for that purpose.
There can be no objection therefore, far as can
see upon either of the grounds generally urged in favor
of sessions against the adoption OF this resolution
Those grounds IN The ltst place. mat our nesoua
lions with foreign countries from Time TO nme require Sc
crecy Undoubtedly that true and the President " TO
Judge he originates all matters OF foreign negotiation
OF the occasion when such secrecy IS required and ne
communicates anything in confidence 10 The Senate hal
confidence will be observed The other ground Is,
that private character sometimes involve III the con-
sderaon OF matters here more especially mountainous
and all discussions relation TO private character should
be excluded from the public knowledge. NOW, even II
this resolution be adopted, IL will still be in the power OF
Senate conduct any and all such discussions IN Sc
cre and eineniy proper and expedenl, doubtless,
that they should he conducted. But SO lar as pubic
considerations alone bear upon these treaties or nomna-
tons, il is perfectly obvious that the public ought TO
know and be advised in regard to the character OF our
discussions Our Institutions based upon the prnc
pie OF publicity and responsibility to the people and 80
far that principle can be applied 10 The discussions OF
the Senate, it seems 10 me II ought 10 be carried out
These are my reasons for offering his resolution.
Mr.. HUNTER Ii seems to me that this resolution
proposes very great change rule IN reference to
the subject OF secret sessions, and one ioo that tear
will be very mschievous in lis result AS now stands,
communications made 10 us IN reference to treaties
and nominations deliberations in regard TO them are
TO be secret unless choose 10 order otherwise mat
is the exception TO be made only upon the express order
OF the Senate. But this resolution proposes to reverse
that rule, and require to have all our deliberations up
those matters in public unless the President or we
ourselves choose make them secret account OF
cial consde The result will be that there will be
sessions in relation 10 these matters This
resolution involves a total change OF rule IN that
spect, and which, in n3 opinion, will lead TO that
result.
Suppose this rule be adopted, and then order
ecutye session for the consideration oil nomination
that has been transmitted by the Presidents ii will
Immediately be noised abroad that special consde
ration IS involved, In regard the character OF The nom
which requires lis consideration 10 be secret and by
doing throw suspicious upon the character OF the
nominee, and thus increase the demand that the veil
shall be removed We thus proclaim to the world that
The nominated is accused, and he will naturally de-
mand TO know how and of what he is accused, IN order
that he may know in what manner 10 defend himself
And so il will be in regard treaties. Ii go into
session TO deliberate upon treaties IL will be sup
posed that there something especially delicate IN our
foreign relations and from that fact may consde
atons affecting perhaps the credit and the stocks OF the
country and IN order to prevent suspicious that might be
dangerous in their results, we shall be- forced to consider
in open session treaties which ought TO be considered IN
private session and without debate.
do not believe that any sensible ground OF mischief
has arisen from executive sessions. believe
have heretofore deberated with quite much wisdom
and regard for the public interest under the seal oil
when we have really chosen to consult and advise The
President in regard TO these matters should have
done nad we thrown open tne uOOfs suDleCteu
debate and votes to the public scrutiny need not refer
TO the danger In the public debate and consideration OF
such questions and The great temptation thrown out
to act in consideration and settlement of such
ers TO conform to the pablo and popular will OF the
day. think it is far better to adhere to the old rule than
TO make this change.
Mr.. BORLAND [ am sorry to differ with the honor
able senator from Virginia MIR HUNTER 10 supposing
that any dermen result 10 the interests of the
try by subecng any action OF the government TO public
scrutiny can conceive OF case, treaty anything
else where there is any good reason to appehend any
such result
Mr. HUNTER Does the honorable senator think il
would be better expose the deliberations OF the present
cabinet council to the public scrutnyi
Mr.. B0RLAND. | should have no objection TO il, so
Tar IT coad be done. do not believe that any officer
of this government has the RICH, one sentiment
IN regard TO the public affairs of the country which he
dares not publish 10 the country. Where his actions
and words relate 10 his private affairs he could do he
pleased The public has nothing 10 do with them far
as they relate to himself or his family. Blu, so far his
actions and opinions relate the public interests OF
ciey, and the political interests OF the country whether
foreign countries believe no man has right 10 express
sentiment do any act that every in this
try who has the responsibility OF citizen and has
bear bis portion OF the burden the has not
perfect right TO know all about That my view Of
the relations between the public officers OF this govern
ment, whether in the legislative, executive judicial
any other department and the public cannot conceive
that this government can properly be administered upon
any other principle, unless deny TO the people the
requisite amount OF Intelligence, honesty and patriotism,
TO give ialr consideration upon all questions OF this
character.
Gentlemen seem to think that there is something sacred
ma do, htnI