The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-25

tive sessions, as having been practised from
very early days. and avoiding embarrassing dis
closures to the public.
1t is curious that most Of the Democratic sem
ators agree heartily in this view. They are posi-
tive that the President ought not to send any
papers to the Senate, and they are equally posi-
tive that il is important to maintain the secret
sessions of the Senate.
A Democratic senator said few evenings ago:
Il don't want the President to send in papers Ia
the Senate, and certainly not to an open Senate.
l don't want to be made ridiculous or to be got
in trouble at home by the exhibition of papers
which would show that had asked the 'Presi-
deLt to remove men and to put others in their
places"
1t is easy to see why senators with such an
awkward fear of discovery before them want no
papers sent in, and above all want no open ses-
sions for their exhibition. But there are other
cases-for instance where such papers would
disclose the painful fact that senator or repre-
sentative, while openly protesting to favor the
claims of an ofice-seeker, secretly secured the
appointment of a different man. It is nos neces-
sary to say that a senator in this dilemma does
not want papers sent in, and above ALL wants no
open sessions.
But there are still other cases of senators and
representatives who have secretly secured from
the President the retention in Office of Republic
an oficlais. These gentlemen are horribly afraid
of the trouble which would fall upon them from
hungry Democratic constituents at home if their
course should be made public
Then there is dreadful rumor that Republic
an senator's have even offered to help the Pres
ident to get his nominations confirmed, if only
the President will look kindly upon few sug-
gestions of theirs about Offices But of course
such senators, if there ara such, as rumor as
serts. are positive that ali appointments and re-
movals should be considered and voted on in se-
cret session.
Whether the Republican senators will open
the doors is a matter still in doubt good
many of the younger senators favor this course
on public grounds. The older senators are said
to insist on secrecy. If any of them. believed
that the next administration would be Demo
cratic. they would undoubtedly vote to open the
doors at once. But most of the shrewd old Re-
publicans in the Senate believe that the present
administration is bunglng, that the so-called
Democratic party behind Ii is fatally divided
and without leadership. and that. as one said
the other day. discussing the situation after din
ner. IF make reputable nomination in
1885, we shall surely win; and, in fact. we could
believe, win against such people with almost
anybody"
One thing the Republican senator's begin
plainly to seethat to call for the papers in open
session would put the administration in very
awkward place Either the President would as
he now says be will, refuse the Senate's de-
mauds. in which case the public. which has also
right to know about Office intrigues, would be
persuaded the papers were withheld because
they were not creditable to the administration,
or, if the President should change his mind and
give tho papers to the public session, they will
show discreditable and damaging course, and
make endless trouble for Democratic senators
and representatives at home.