Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-04-03
Publicity IN the Halls Of Congress.

One of the great evils growing out of
the method of doing business in Congress
i the secrecy attendant on the dcliberation,
and actions of Congressional committees.
We believe it would he a protection. both
to Congressman and to the public, il al
the doors were thrown open. and free adj
mission were given to any who might wish
to ascertain the nature of the business thus
transacted. There ought to be nothing in
the Congressional committee-room which
will not bear the open light of day: and
the satisfaction of knowing. or OF being
able to know, just what is going on would
be very grea: to the people.
1t would likewise obviatc all occasion for
destroy the opportunity for any improper
combination 4, To pending measures which
might originate in concealment. but which
would never be able to find birth under the
public gaze, and 50 the weakness of men
would be fortified by the very circumstan-
ces Of their action, and even where, thro'
mistake or misapprehension, there had
been the inception of mischief. its full and
final consequences could be aycrted.
+ If it be said. in reply TO those sugge>-
! tons. that the whole series of legislative
precedent and practice i the other way.
our answer i, that the sooner a bad prec-
dent or practice i abandoned the better.
If it be said tina, 1t would be hindrance
TO the public business. and a fatal cmbar-
rassment TO the deliberations Of those who
have charge Of the different branches of
the affairs OF legislation. we answer that
open dealing is no more likely to be him
dered in the special or standing committee
rooms than those in the loom of the Com
mittce of the Whole on the State of the
Union.
II it be said that there are private affairs
which ought no; to bee exposed to the
publicity suggested. our reply is that
nothing which pertains To the legislation
OF the country can De Of any such private
nature; and that il such private matters
do exist. the lawmakers Of the land
should have nothing to do with them IN
their legislative capacity.
Nor will it be difficult 10 suppress those
matters which have obviously no relation
to. or connection with. the legitimate sub
jects Of legislation. while experience will
not be long in showing where the diyidin.
line should be drawn. and what should De
the disposition Of details,
In connection with thi, subject. there i
another suggestion: In view Of the large
increase in the number OF members, Why
may not the important committee, be cor
re>pondingly increased a TO members.
and 80 constituted that those members
shall be from a many different sections Of
the country a. i practicable. IN tAI> way
there would be another safeguard thrown
around the action of all Congrc, >ional
committees, and a very appreciable I'M
proyement in the mode OF doing business
would be attained.
That some measures, if not those indi-
Gated above. are requisite TO meet the con-
ditions OF Congressional action, and To re-
lieye both tina, body and the country from
the growing evils of the times. i, quite
obvious. The reflections are thrown ont
With view of eliciting comment and
drawing the attention of the pres, to the
very important question which i thu.
presented. and which deserves cxamna-
tom RcbuLIic