New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-03-22
VIOLATIONS OF THE SENATE'S SECRECY.
INDIGNATION OF sENAToRs-PLANs SUGGESTED FOR
PRESERVING CONFIDENCE.


WASHINGTON, March 21.-Senators have
been annoyed for some time by the publication of
ports the proceedings Of the Senate In executive
session. and because documents which they regard as
confidential have been made public After the pubbea
ton of the Niearsguan treaty In THE TRIBUNE there
was talk Of investigation. More recently the meagre
accounts of discussions executive sessions which have
crept the newspapers have provoked the wrath OF
Senators to high degree, and the publication OF four
pending treaties in THE TRIBUNE OF yesterday and the
confidential correspondence Of to-day, seem to have
been last straws that the cameis back viii bear
Senators that newspaper who receive
and enjoy the courtesies and Inequalities Of the
Senate are in honor bound to respect and observe Its
rules of which that confidential document shall
be published until that body gives Its permission, and
another that report shall be- given Of proceedings In
executive sessions In recent executive sessions various
plans to insure secrecy have been discussed with q
vigorous eloquenoe that perhaps might have convinced
offending correspondents of their turpitude had they
been invited listen to It, but under the rules Of the
Senate they are permitted to hear, at second
hand the argumenG In secret session One of the plans
suggested to break the evil practices OF the news
papers was to exclude from the privilege Of the press
gallery the correspondents Of such journals had
offended by publishing all the news that they could
obtain. After good deal Of discussion, 1t is under
stood this suggestion was abandoned Another PROPOSE
ton it is said that every correspondent before adj
mission to the gallery should be required t. sign
the proceedings records OF the Senate some
Senator'S insist that the other Of these
plans shall be tried.
Still another plan suggested the exclusion from
tine Senate Chamber during executive SESSIONS OF
person who IA Senator " III We did that and the
newspapers should publish anything We would be sure
that il was obtained from Senator said the advocates
Of bs pan In the discussion of the matter II Is under
stood that senators declared that for re-
ports executi proceedings and the publication OF
Secret documents either Senators or oicers OF the
Senate are responsible and that they did not believe
that any officer Of the senate had violated his oath by
furnishing documents accounts OF executive transae
tjons" These comments II seems, grated on the feel
pg of some who do not care TO rest under an
imputation upon their honor. Many Senators take ex
ception the derisve tone In which they say some OF
inc newspapers treated the subject OF executive
secrecy This is not piece OF childs play said one
Senator "We do not veil our proceedings In secrecy
simply 10 enhance importance or make ourselves
mysterious. From the foundation OF the Government
the Senate held that matters affecting the character
or reputation OF who have been nominated to Office or
involving negotiations withroreign Governments shall
be considered in secret session The rule Is good one
and should be enforced TO the letter"
IN auy executive discussions affecting the character
or reputation OF conld more bitter not TO say
violent and reprehensble than some OF the public dis
cussons the nature since this special session be-
gan probably better that they should be shrouded in
1mpenetrable secrecy.