The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-21
MEMPHIS APPEAL.
SUNDAY, FEB. 81, 1856.
TEN PAGES
nrAR.rmAMnER INQuIsITION.

sTAR-UHAMBER INQUIsITIOE.
Score one for John A. Logan.
Heretofore he and craftsmanship
have been sworn enemies, but at last
they seem disposed to reconcile their
antagonisms and to shake hands over
the wide chasm that separated them.
In recent debate on the proposition
10 abolish secret sessions Senator Lo-
gan said;
In a republic, whero the perpctuity, Of its
institutions depends upon the intelligence
and loyal support OF all its citizens, IL Is not
right 10 close the doors Of the Senate Cham
Der and deliberate In secret. In. my Judg-
ment, executive sessions are an abomtnntion
In the eyes Of the people, and ought not 70
have place under our republican form OF
government.
In the same debate Senator Sher-
man said "There ought to be no Sc
crets in this Government Of ours, a
government of the people," The
Democratic Senators are almost solid
in opposition to secret sessions, and re-
iAiorced by such men as Logan and
Sherman, II is hoped that the star
chamber inquisition, 30 long prac-
ticed by the Senate, will be abolished.
II does no. comport with the genius
OF our institutions. 1t is in keeping
with the spirit Of Knowno.hingism, the
time when men held secret meetings
In their dens and rookeries, button
holed each other by dark lanterns, and
concoeted schemes for the destruction
OF men on account OF their religion or
birthplace. "The Senate then went
into executive session" is a stereo-
typed phrase which ought to
be eliminated from the Congress
sional reports. To hold secret
sessions to confirm or reject the ap.
pointment OF John Smith for Post
master OF Frogtown ;s g iarc;esl bust
ness. United States Senators are SER
wants OF the people, and their masters
want nothing done in the dark. When
Senators present themselves as csndi-
dates, the State Legislature holds no
secret sessions TO investigate their
qualifications, and why the record OF a
man who seeks an office at the hands
Of the executive should be exempt
from open discussion in the Senate
Just as the records oil the Senators are
discussed openly in the Legislatures
that elect them, is mystery which the
people do not understand. Secret ses-
sions are feeble imitation OF the Jacob
ms Of France, who during, the revolu.
ton Of 1889, held secret meetings, in
which measures were concerted
to direct legislation. When q man
seeks public station, either
by appointment or election, the pub
lie has the clearest right to know all
that is to be known regarding his
record and fitness for the place he
seeks. He is to serve the public
whether he be Postmaster or United
States Senator, and should court the
fullest investigation. II there is any
thing TO be covered up he should be
rejected and the public should know
the ressone. A secret session of the
Senate is nothing but a contemplate
farce-mIch ado about nothing-I
marching up the hill, then dowr
again; for with great solemnity thu
ponderous doors Of the chamber ar,
Closed--the door-keeper peeps int
every corner, crack and crevice TO Sc,
il spy has not secreted himself to &c
the awful secrets to be disclosed, thel
the Senator'S discuss the character o
John Smith OF Froytown, pronounc
him either clean or unclean, remov
the injunction OF secrecy, order To
doors opened and then make publ
all that has been done or said in secre
session. 1t is about time for this fare
10 end.