Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-07-16
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
OF the United states Senate-Speech o
Senator Morrill,.

prepared on the question of open eXecu
tive sessions was read by Senator Mander-
son. The following are extracts from the
speech. Having offered an amendment
to the pending resolution in favor of oper
executive sessions, to strike ont the words
executive nominations and to insert IN
lieu thereof the words reciprocity trea
ties, so called" Mr.. Morrill, said
Open doors even for legislative sessions
were unknown in Europe at the time OF
the American declaration of independence
aud executive sessions with closed doors
were established by the founders of the
republic.
in executive sessions we have to con.
slider and advise about treaties with for
eign nations which often involve matters
of delicate and confidential international
relations. Their publicity might ire
quently be productive of some harm.
do not know that any Senator proposes
that ordinary treaties shall be discussed
in open sessions, although it would great
~ cheaper their surreptitious publication.
Let me say, however, so long as | may
remain member of the Senate, II any
executive adminstration-blind to all our
sad experience, as well as blind to the
constituton-shall negotiate what is ro-
mantcally called reciprocity treaty,
regulating our own and some particular
foreign IHTlll Ut any treaty W lilth ltIuilN,
the supplemental action of the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES, shall feel it to be my
duty most certainly to urge its consldera-
ton and rejection in open session. lhere
is no more propriety in considering a
treaty tariff in secret, or tariff about
which only some foreigners have been
consulted-utterly without any knowl
edge on the part Of our own people, avoid
ing protest and comment from all those
most interested-than there would be III
concealng our action upon legislative
tariff law, or in suffering foreigners to be
diplomatic dctators of its terms, and
may | not be pardoned for once more
humbly reiterating that there Is no CON
stitutional proprety in considering So
called reciprocity treaty either IN secret
or open session none whatever.
The radical invasion OF the constitu-
tional powers of the House of Representa-
tives 10y the Senate in advising and con
senting to reciprocity treaties, not one of
which has ever practically turned out
even decentiy satisfactory to the country
subjects the Senate to the damaging i'm
putation of arrogating and disaStrOusly
using extraordinary powers and prerOga-
tives to which it is clearly not entitled.
The Committee of Ways and Means on
the part of the Ho use of Representatives
have Just reported joint resolution re
Questng the president to give the required
notice to terminate the Hawaiian treaty,
and have also reported adversely upon
the Mexican treaty. This is perhaps the
death-knell of reciprocity bad bargains
and while we ought at once and forever to
denounce the omnipotent and anti Repub-
lican power to make such treaties, my
amendment now only proposes should
any of these tariff monstrosities hereafter
appear, that they shall appear visible to
all the world with open doors.
In executive sessions, also, the Senate
huls ton Il nd N a "a A.
range of executive nominations to fill all
the most important offices of the country.
These may have partisan aspects, but they
are mainly of personal importance, and
require careful examination as to the char
acter, fitness, and qualifications of the
nominee for the office it is proposed to fill
1t Is mainly these personal details which
we are to impartially and conscientiously
weigh and scrutinize, and then give OF
withhold our advice and consent accord
ing to our best judgment.
My observation here leads me to the
conclusion that in executive sessions the
testimony received is sifted with judicial
fairness and that substantial truth il
nearly always reached in the shortest pos
sible space of time. | do not now remem
Der an instance where any mans charac-
ter has been wrongly and successfully as
sailed. In arriving at all impartial and
upright decision in an executive session
be no more helpful than it would be in
aiding verdict within Il jury-room. The
influence certainly would not not be spec
tally healthy Beyond all this have nc
doubt that open executive sessions would
very greatly prolong the duration of every
session of Congress. Much more time
would be consumed, with less satisfactory
results, and subject the Senate to criti-
cism, unlike any now existing, which
might have some just foundation.
For myself, | shall not, by favoring the
change proposed, plead guilty to any
charge or inference that the United States
Senate with its doors closed is any less en-
titled to the confidence and respect OF
our fellow -countrymen than with its doors
open.
1t is very plain that members of the
Senate with that knowledge only to be
derived from actual experience mus
know the propriety and value of closed
doors in executive sessions far better
than any outsiders. | venture to think
it may be well to have some confidence il
ourselves, some courage to do our duty
without experimenting that our own PEG
pie are afraid to trust US out of sight
We shall all be Judged at last accordinl
60 our works. The Senate even with tn,
doors closed, fails not to make its record
and its conclusions in due season neve
fail to "leap to light" We need no othe
vindication.
The pro position TO hOld executive Sea
sions of the Senate with open doors cal
not be maintained with any greater PRO
priety or with more cOgent reasons than
like proposition could be maintained t.
compel the president to admit spectator
and reporters to the meetings of his Cabi
net, and then to have all the facts, sug
gestions, and discussions, relevant am
irrelevant, which may there appear in re
gard to nominations unloaded and dunn
ed into the breezy columns of the evenin
and morning newspapers.
The executive functions of the Senate
50 far as operative upon nominations, ar
exercised in the most obscure manner pc,
sible 1t good officer has been nominal
ed and confirmed the president has tn
sole credit of the selection, and the Senate
after its action, Is no more thought {
than a petit jury when discharned by tn
court after the rendition of its verdict
But if a bad offer Is confirmed the Senat
does not escape its full share of criticisI
and responsibility. Its executive duties
to give advice when asked, are in no sens
privileges, and the labor is not coveted
but it is labor performed without Ostel
tation, and without the slightest reward
TO style these duties Of the Senate as It
IL.