Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-16
FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
First Session,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, April |;

WASHINGTON, April l5.
Mr.. Logan took the flour in support of the
movement for open executive sessions. He
preferred his own resolution, he said be-
cause 1t provided broadly tor open sessions.
he would simply premise by saying that
there was not or never was any necessity for
secret sessions of the Senate
During Mr.. Logan's remarks in favor of
open executive sessions of the Senate Mr..
Hoar OF Massachusetts, interrupted to inquire
why 1t would not be just as well to have open
sessions OF the various committees, and he
asked If Mr.. Logan favored open committee
meetings.
MIR. Logan replied that the people were
not demanding open committee meetings, but
they were demanding open doors for the pro-
esedings OF the Senate and the doors will be
opened. Mark what tell you and it will not
oe long either. 1t served to charm senators,
Mr.. Logan continued, to have some knowl.
edge that they wouldn't give to the people. 1t
seemed to please them when asked by citi-
zan how the voted on the confirmation of a
village postmaster to be able to reply with an
air OF mystery. "Oh. l cannot tell you, | am
am bound to secrecy" This reform, Mr..
Logan continued, was growing. The people
of this country would run the country. All
forms of opposition would have to cease, in
cluding that which prevented men from ex-
pressing their will at the polls. Mr.. Logan
alluded to the English House Of Lords and
advised the Senate to pattern no longer after
that body, body of hereditary privileges and
powers. He advised the senators to stop
their star chamber proceedings. "Let not
the representatives of the people," he said,
'imagine that they are higher or better than
the people, or that they had any secrets of
fufa fhutn nnt,lI oh -
the people"
MIR, Frye offered a resolution, which was
referred to the committee on contingent ex-
penses, authorizing the committee on foIeign
relations to employ an assistant clerk at Sl44O
year.
Mr.. Riddleberger, in Withdrawing the sub
stitute offered by him for open executive
sessions, said that he had offered it in the
belief that two-thlrds vote was necessary to
the resolution for which he intended his res
olution to be substituted. Finding that the
present form of resolution would require only
a majority vote he would withdraw the sub
stitute.
MIR. Blair called up the pension bill and it
was placed before the Senate.
1t being nearly two o'clock he asked the
chair whether the interstate commerce bill
would be up at that hour
The chair replied that it would.
Mr.. Hoar suggested to Mr.. Blair that "A
bill of the importance of the pension bill
ought not to be dealt with in the few minutes
remaining before two o'clock
Mr. Blair reminded Mr. lloar that he had
had ample opportunity to know that the pen
sion bill had been up three times and been
kicked and buffeted about beyond any abuse
he had ever seen in the case of any pension
bill in either house of Congress. He was ut
tery disgusted with the manner in which this
and other pension legislation had been treated
at this sesssn and unless the work of the
pension committee could be treated with
more respect he for one would ask to be ex-
cused from further service on it.
Mr.. Blair called for vote on the bill.
Mr.. Harris asked that the bill be read.
Mr.. Blair-"That makes three times that
it will have been read
Mr.. Harris (warmly)-"Well, if it makes
the fortieth time ask for the reading OF
it."
The chief clerk proceeded to read the bill
but before the reading was concluded the hour
of two o'clock arrived and the chair laid be-
for the Senate the interstate commerce
bill.
Mr.. Morgan, however, according to notice
given yesterday, moved that the Senate pro
ceed to the consideration of executive bust
ness.
The motion being agreed to the Senate al
2. II went into executive session and wher
the doors re-opened, at 5.45, adjourned.