The Washington critic., 1886-11-23
THE SECRET SESSION.

the resolution of Mr. Plat, and al.
though no definite action upon the reso-
luton was reached but rather dispo. |
sition shown to ovade the issue, there |
Is no doubt that the friends of the pro-
posed reform will rcnew their efforts
soon after the meeting of Congress In |
December.
The New York 75mce, which has
supported The pla,t resolution from the
outset, takes up the movement where
1t was left by adjournment, and in yes.
terday's issue enters fresh protest
against what II calls the "demoralizing
and cowardly rule of secrecy" aud
calls loudly upon the press of the coun.
try TO resolutcly claim It's constitutional
rights in the premises There is i'm.
minent danger OF the failure Of the
resolution "unless there shall be some
overawing expression of public opinion
in its favor" and It becomes the duty
of the newspapers, in the interest of
the people, to lend all their energies
TO the creation and formulation Of such
sentiment.
In the same issue Of the Times APP
pears forcibe communication on
the same subject, in which the writer
says:
No sentiment or conviction was more po-
tental in framing our political system, and
none has been more strengthened by 1t,
than that which aflirms that all It's actions
shall be based on public considerations,
executed under the public eye by officers
responsible TO public opinion, and solely for
promoting the public welfare. OF all the
branches of the Government the United
States Senate alone has rebelled against this
sentiment and the spirit of these provisions
by ooncealing its action on nominations be.
hind locked doors and barred windows,
under rules secretly made, thus suppresslng
in that great and vital sphere OF action,
which involves all the highest range Of ap-
pointments and removals all over the
Union, that publicity which is vital prlnci-
pie in q republic, and violating at the same
time that freedom of speech and freedom OF
the press which the Constitution expressly
provides for.
Without fully partaling in the oX-
treme views here presented, either as
to the offensiveness or danger of the
system Of secret sessions so long in
vogue, we have no doubt that so far as
the question Of nominations and re-
movals Is involved 1t would be far bet
ter for the interests of the civil service
If it were dealt with openly and Sena-
tors were compelled to show their
hands. The very fact tina; a veil of
secresy Is thrown around the consid-
Grafton Of executive appointments en-
genders a suspicion that merccnary
and partisan motives, rather than mo-
tives of delcacy, as commonly al
legged, prevail in the conduct and gov
ern the decisions of these Star.cham-
Der proceedings.
1t were unjust TO charge Senators,
hightoned in the open session, with the
assumption of entirely different and dis
reputable roles in the secret session.
At the same time the atmosphere of the
Senate has its contaminatons. 1t is
never wholly free from partisan preju-
dice, or political intrigue, or the spirit
of bargaining and sale and all these
bad elements necessarily become aggra
vated and intensified when the galleries
are cleared, the doors barred and Sena
tors are no longer kept upon their good
behavior by the restraining presence of
the public.
To abolish the secret session would
therefore be to diminish the chances Of
corruption, to better ensure fair play,
10 put check upon making merchant
disc Of office and enable a determine.
tion of every case submitted TO the
Senate's judgment upon its rightful
and intrinsic merits.
-
THE Austrian Government has issued
an order prohibiting the playing OF
poker in Vienna. If Colonel Boyd
Winchester, our versatile and accom-
plished representative to Switzerland.
has filed On application to be transferred
TO aesimilar position at the Austrian
capital he will promptly withdraw II
when he hears OF this order The order
is in itself unfortunate and impolitic
it seems, right at the time wheI
there were bright prospects OF the re
newal of the CAteHte cDrdialC between
Austria and the United States. O
course, while iuterdiciing that fascina
ting game Of poker, Austria can neve
be put on the same footing as the mos
favored nations by this country.
a MOVEMENT has been started In St
Louis for the establishment Of col
ored colony in Butler County, Mis-
souri,. Charles p. Chou!olu has Sc
apart 50 900 acres of wooded land 70
the purpose, for the clearing Of whicl
he will pay the settlers and at the sam
time sell them small farming tracts OF
liberal terms. j. Milton Turner, ex
Minister TO LII teria, is also concerned
in the enterprise and makes a stronl
appeal to his colored fellow. citizens Il
quit politics, leave the cities behinC
them aud sci up for themselves as fret
and independent landholders.
THERE Is material of the best AM
most substantial character in Washing
ton for an association projected upol
the plan Of the proposed Jefferson
Club. It's intended, according to tn,
best of our information, to occupy
high and conservative stand politically
and 10 represent socially an eminently
respectable and influential element o
the community. There should bo NJ
difficulty whatever in perfecting an or