The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-05-01
Truth About secret Sessions.


1t is not because Senator John A.
Logan has donned his coat of mail
and put his lance in rest for tilt at
secret executive sessions that the
feeling of the people of this country
is veering SO rapidly in favor Of a
sweeping reform in secret proceed
ings of any character in the Senate
Chamber. The chief objection to
the practice of secret sessions is that
it is un-American. 1t savoss of the
Star Chamber, of the Council of
Ten, of the Inquisitioa, Of the Vehm
Gericht, of the ietts'es Ne cachet on
which, in the last days of the French
monarchy, men were plunged in the
Bastile without word of explana-
ton as to the offense or information
of the name of their accuser.
1t may be conceded that there are
certain subjects which are best dis
cussed with closed doors-to wit.
grave international issues, Questions
of personal character, applications
for charitable aid, and cases iuyoly-
ing the disclosure of revolving de.
pravity. But it is rot arguable that
the character of a man applying for
public office is matter beyond
the pale of public Jiscussion-cer-
tainly not of discussion in the
highest executive chamber of the
country.
1t is, on the contrary, of the first
Importance that the final confirma-
ton of applicants recommended for
Office should be given only after a
full, free and fair inquiry into their
political and social record, for by
such means only can Grades" and
purchased silence be excluded
from the highest councils of the ma
ton. SO long as appointments can
be confirmed in secret session, so
long will there be tendency to
open avenues for the admission of
dishonest and crooked characters
into public office on mutual under
standing among Senators that A
will not be opposed if nothing is
said about b, and that no questions
will be asked about G. if an equal
reticence is observed about the past
career of d.
1t can only have been in this way,
through the channel of secret SEES
sions, that men of notorious unfit
ness for private trusts have been
placed, over and over again, in Off
ces where they could levy coutribu-
tions on their political dependents,
and too frequently, also, on the
funds which officially passed through
their hands. The best guarantee
for the securing of good public ser
wants is the entire abolition of all
Star Chamber mysteries, secret in
formation and secret trials. If A
be an aspirant for the public service,
he is, for the time being, on his trial
before his countrymen in general,
and his future neighbors and clients
in particular. Whatever charges
are made against him should be pre-
ferred fairly and openly; whether
they ask for his rejection or his re-
moval after appointment, he is equal
ly entitled to be informed of the al
legations against him. 1t is also
just that such arguments as he may
be able to adduce should be fairly,
openly and impartially considered
in the Senate.
An honest man has nothing to
fear from a full, free inquiry with
topen doors, in the light of day, the
secret session, on the other hand,
suggests nothing but treason, STRAIT
egy and spoils," suborned witnesses,
interested judges, and in nearly
every case an unjust verdict.-Balto.
Herald
A GROWING EVIL. - We heard
lady say the other day: ooh, that
my 1aurhfa nou1I bo,-o bo1 tho