National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-12

The defeat Of Mr.. Platts resolution call
ing for the consideration Of nominations In
open sessions of the Senate has deferred
but not defeated the great reform it was
intended to inaugurate. Conservative as
the Senate is and little inclined as 1t is to
give heed to popular clamor, 1t is still
within reach Of public opinion, aud must
eventually yield to the demand for the pro-
posed change. The agitation, now fairly
started, will 20 on--the murmur OF dis
satisfaction will swell till II becomes a
wrathful roar, and the Senate will yield under
virtual compulsion, regretting that It did
not make the concession gracefully in Feb
ruary, 1886.
The people of the United States enter
tain very sincere and great respect for
the senate-a respect to which the history
Of that body gives II good title. But in q
matter in which the Senate is clearly wrong,
in which II undertakes no defense, but sets
up its word as IL that had the force Of
divine law, the people will have their way,
quietly and pleasantly II they can, noisily
and disagreeably II they must.
The authority for secret sessions on nom
nations consists Of a rule:
All information communicated or remarks
made by n senator whom acting on nomlna-
tions, concerning the character or quallhca.
tlons Of the person nominated, also all votes
on any nomination, shall be kept secret. II,
however, charges shall be made against a per-
son nominated the committee may in It's dis
cretlon, notify such nominee thereof, but the
name Of the person making such charges shall
not be disclosed. The fact that q nomination
has been made, or that 1t has been confirmed
or rejected, shall not be regarded as a secret.
It would be difficult task to get into
the same number ofwords greater amount
Of offensive matter-ofTensive In that IL
violates the popular sense Of propriety and
| justice. Here is an invitation to calumni-
ators to unload themselves under guaran-
tee of secrecy. Any enemy of person
nominated for office may malign him with
out stint, and the maligned person may be
denied the right to make defense. The
denial of the riSh. TO face Ills accGser Is
! percmptory. Such an arrangement would
not have seemed incongruous in England
under the reign Of Charles !, but 1t is out
Of date, out OF place, an anachronlsm that
cannot be defended when made feature Of
the government Of this republic.
The constitution OF the United States
guarantees to every accused person the
right "to be confronted with the witnesses
against him. A notorious thief cannot be
convicted Of stealing a pocket handker-
chief without a fair trial In open court and
an opportunity to catechize those who tes-
tify against him. But any honorable man
may be mallgned in character and dis.
graced by the rejection Of his name for an
Office, and he may not be permitted tc
know anything about it.
There is very little occasion for secrecy
in either branch Of the appointing power
Consideration Of nominations is insepara
bly, connected with consideration of sus
pensions and removals. II the charges OIL
which removals are based are placed on filt
as parts OF the public records, II is but righ
that the accused should know what he Il
accused Of and who has accused him. Tn,
Senate should call for such papers and the.
should be considered in open session.
Public business is not private business
The people have right to know what sor
Of men are named TO do their work. II
good public servant is removed-or on,
against whose official and personal char
acter there are no public charges-the peo
pie feel that IL is their right to know VIII,
he was gotten rid Of. We distinctly dis
claim for the Senate any right inconsisten
with the independence of the Executive
bat that independence does not require 70
It's maintenance that public papers should b
kept from public scrutiny.
The true policy for the Senate would
to open the doors, to challenge scrutiny @
its own acts, to show that 1t has no cause
fear the fullest light and broadest publicity
and to challenge the Executive to simila
display of confidence.