Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1886-06-02

0PEN SESSIONS.

Senator Gibson, Of Louisiana, made a
strong argument before the Senate the
other day for open sessions. He wanted
treaties and appointments both discussed
openly before the people. because the
peoples interests are concerned and they
have a right to know what their servants
do and why they do it. He said:
1t has become an axiom in this and all
other countries where constitutional free
dom prevails that political matters are not
private matters but public matters. and
that the surest remedy for all evils that af-
feet society is to be found in the widest
publicity, and in the resources which the
wisdom and conscience Of the many may
bring to bear upon the sufferings and
wrongs OF any one or of any portion OF the
people, 4 4 \ II 10 held that when
the Senate comes to consider whether 1t
will advise and consent to nominations and
appointments the doors gbouid be closed
and the most rigid secrecy observed. Now,
Mr.. President, there are two methods for
filling offices created by the Constitution
and the laws-one by election aud the
other by appointment-and l submit that
the reasons which compel and justify the
utmost publicity in the discussion OF the
merits and qualifications in one case
should prevail in the other. The offices
belong to the people, were created for their
benefit, and not for the benefit OF the Of
%ficeholder, nor as personal or political per-
quisites, not as official patronage nor for
the Senate. but wholly to do the necessary
work of the nation, and the people pay
their officers for such work out OF their
own pockets, and they have Q right TO
know all about their qualifications when
they come to be appointed or elected. Ii
il were once understood that entire pub
licity we're the rule respecting all appoint
ments the chief difficulty in the way of the
thorough reformation of the public service
would be removed. In the first place. IN
worthy men, knowing their own unhsness
or misconduct, would not desire that their
names should be exposed to a running fire
from the press and their fellow citizens,
when presented publicly for the considera-
ton OF the Senate. But how many such
men now insist upon being appointed, and
secure recommendations, who would not
venture to go before the people for cleo
ton, counting upon a shield of secrecy to
protect themselves against the condemna'
ton OF the publicl
IA ~ bNNOAo RAsN1f 49, -
greater circumspection and responsibility
and better methods upon the appointing
power. 1t is utterly impossible from the
nature of things that the President should
know the real character OF the applicants
for office, aud he would realize that as the
recommendations and considerations that
control his selection were 10 be laid be-
fore the Senate, not in secret but in open
session. which ia tantamount to laying
them before the country, it would behoove
him 10 require Testimonials from the
highest sources, so that q complete record
should be made up for the country con-
stituting the credentials Of the appointees.
and Senators and Representatives and
gentlemen in private life who now care
lessly give their recommendations right
and left without scrutiny would be more
careful when il was understood that the
measure Of their responsibility was like
wise TO be declared to the country and not
hid AWAY in the archives of the committee
rooms.
In the third place, it would relieve the
Senate from the constant discussion Of at
tacks upon private character which secrecy
holds out as a temptation TO those who
would crafty personal malice or
revenge by striking under cover or in the
dark. The lions mouth at Venice, when
the Council of Ten. the famous oligarcy,
ruled the city by the sea, was not a more
appropriate device to invite the secret
denunciation of particular persons than
the immunity which secret sessions OF the
Senate afford.
No public Interests require that any OF
the proceedings of the Senate should be
kept secret from them. Secret sessions
are as much now out of place and date as
the sword John Adams wore when presid-
ing over this body would be upon the per
son of our President pro. tenn.
Senators Gibson and Butler are two
who have been of the strongest support
ers of the Administration, and both have
urged the fullest publicity about appoint
ments, so that the impression prevails
that the Administration favors and de-
sires open sessions. Senators Platt and
Logan, it is understood, will presently
ask for a vote on the proposition to oper
the doors.