Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-02-17
RIOOlEBERGER AID SHERMAN.

Washington SenilueLl
Mr.. R.ddleberger ms persistent.
~ tried to abolish the rule Of Sc.
crecy in the Senate ON nominations
and treaties.
In this effort he has fairly re-
sponded to public opinion, which
has been long manifested against
the moss covered tradition in that
body, which has lost All useful
purpose, and Is u positive injury to
the public service.
His present 0bi.c Of attack is
the proposed treaty with Great
Bdtian for eXtralillOn Of alleged
criminals, This treaty IN the origi.
nal form was published months ago
IN the New York Tribune-a fact
in itself which carries the severes.
criticism Of the pretended secrecy
observed by the Senate.
Everybody knows that the great
objection TO this treaty * the proba-
b,lity Of eXtrmlitlng persons tor
political oliruses, under one OF ITS
plausible articles, claiming 10 be
aimed at dynimltcrs and the ike.
For this consideration. England
oilers Ia shut out Canada AS a
refuge for embezziers and others m
that general category, wh0 now
lind shelter across the border.
Great Britain has always boast.
ed oi the most liberal and most EN-.
llghtened policy IN regard 10 relu.
gees from o,her nations, and she
has hitherto carried 1t to the very
extreme OF protecting revoluticnists
who openly cOnsplred against Italy,
France, Austria, Germany aud
other countries. he absolutely
refused 10 recognize any aud every
demand tor their delivery. when
claimed 10y different governments.
This traditional policy is now
abandoned for d supposed self in.
terest, because England fears the
synpathizng friends OF Ireland in
the United States may combine
injuriouSly to her peace and pros.
perity. In other words, we are
asked to play detective and jA'lor
and dellverer for her majeSty's sus.
pectcd enemies, and send them
across the ocean to confront the
tender mercy Of the modern jet.
freyS, who dishonOr the name of
justice and polIute the courts with
partisan hostility.
Mr.. Riddleberger deserves credit
for his endeavor to enhghten the
people on this whole subject and
especially IN this particular case.-
He has been opposed, rebnked and
grossly aSsailed by leading Re-
publicans in aud out of the Senate.
Mr.. Sherman criticised him with
severity on Monday, and imputed
to him fragrant violation of the
rules, and OF decency, in attempt.
ing to discuss this subject in open
session. He professed to be great.
~ shocked at this departure from
consecrated usage, aud held up
Mr.. Rlddleberger as terrible eX-
ample for whom no punishment
would be too severe.
When Mr.. Larmar's nomination
for associate justice Of the t..
5. Supreme court was pending
in secret session, Mr.. Sherman did
not hesitate for political aud per.
sOnal effect to write a letter declar.
ing opposition to him and giving
the reasons why lie should De re-.
jected. That act was as nagrant a
violation OF the rules as any tor
which he has condemned the Sena.
tor from Virginia, and it is rendered
all the worse because the occasion
was individual, and did not involve
any puOllC concern.
Yet the Senator'S who are now so
much scandalized because Mr.. Rid.
dleberger has sought to remove the
bars by which the public cannot
enter the Senate in executive SEES.
sion, allowed this palpable infrdc.
ton of the usages to pass unmO-
Tested. In fact, the president Of
the Senate who put the curb bit in
Mr.. Riddleberger's mouth, wrote
letter OF similar import himself,
and therefore became subject to
like animadVerSiOu. We hope Mr.
Riddleberger will keep hammering
at the closed doors, and they will
finally give way to the pressure.