The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-04-02
He Does Not Believe that Senators Desire to
Hide Their Acts from Public Gaze, and
will Advocate Change of the Rules.
Rules and Regulations Governing the
Entering of the Lands in0klahOma.
Preparations for the Coming Congress Of
American NatiOns-COnditiOn Of Public
Debt-DecisiOns by the Supreme Court.
EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS.
Senator Teller Urges that They Be Discussed
in Open Session.

Senator Teller Urges that They Be Discussed
in Open Session.
wAsHINGroN, April 1.-The Senate met
at1 p. NJ, and Mr.. Teller offered the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved, That hereafter all executive nomi.
nations shall be considered i'll open session OF
the Senate.
He said: 81 do not intend to ask con-
sideration of this resolution at this time. l
merely offer it that it may be referred TO
the committee on rules. At the next reg
ular session of the Senate, if live to be
present, intend to press that resolution.
in season and out of season. 1 have never
believed that there was any reason why an
executive nomination should be considered
by the Senate with closed doors. am sat
listed that the great majority of the people
of the United States, irrespective of party.
are of the same opinion. am tired of Civ
ing my reasons to the Senate with closed
doors for the votes which / give. and
of seeing in the newspapers the
next day entirely different reasons
ascribed to me, and, not infrequently,
no reason at all have never expressed
sentiment nor given vote In the Senate
with closed doors. which / would not give
in open Senate. do not believe that any
considerable number of Senators desire to
shield themselves from public criticism or
the public gaze in matters of this kind.
While admit that in considering ques-
tions of international relations there may
be, and frequently are. times when the
Senate should sit with closed doors on ac-
count of great public interests, / can con-
ceive of no reason why we should close our
doors when we are asked to pass on the
qualifications of men nominated for public
Office. / do not desire to conceal from the
public any action of mine in reference to
such matters. On the contrary, / am ex-
ceedingly anxious that when exercise
constitutional senatorial duty here may
%oria' Sxsfa.e or at ps least aaA0 of p ' So much
of the world as has the right to call me in
question for my conduct-and that is the
people of the United States. believe that
the time has come when public sentiment
will not tolerate the closing of our doors
on mere questions of confirmation; L be-
lieve that that practice-ls one OF the con-
tingencies that Is calculated TO pring the
American Senate INTO disrepute and into
contempt for the people will be elieye, soon,
the charges that are made day by day that
we are afraid to express our views IN pub
lic The newspaper men, with all their
zeal, must find some reason for our con-
duct. and very frequently they put IN our
never have thought. While there may be
good reasons and strong reasons. Tor the
rejection of q candidate, the public is not
aware of these reasons, which 1t has =
right to know. Therefore, wish to give
notice now that when we assemble here
again in regular session, 1 shall insist,
SO far as / can, that this question shall
be presented to the Senate and
4 l.r l.r.nr1 1nh .<
it, at least, clear and independent OF the
question as to what shall be done with pub
lie treaties and public affairs pertaining to
international law"
The resolution was referred 10 the COM
Mr.. Stewart offered the following resolu-
ton, which was laid over till tomorrow:
Resolved That the Senate has learned, with
profound sorrow, Of the death OF John Bright
ing friendship for the United STATES, desire TO
Join with the Parliament of his own country IN
paying grateful tribute to one who, during ms
long public life, was conspicuous In his devotion
to the cause of freedom and humanity.
Mr. Sherman. with Mr.. Ransom. reported
that the committee appointed TO walt on
the President and inquire whether he had
any further communication TO make 10 the
Senate had performed that duty and had
been advised by the President that he
would to-day communicate to the Senate
certain messages; but that, after to-day, no
other messages would be sent except OF
formal character to I'LL vacancies as they
arise.
Resolutions were reported from the COM
mittee on contingent expenses, and agreed
to- authorizing the committees on epidemic
diseases and on patents TO sit during the re-
cess. the former to continue its investlga-
tions into the yellow-fever question, and
the latter to inquire into the system OF issu-
ing patents.
The Senate then, on motion of Mr.. Man
derson, proceeded to consideration OF
executive business. While the doors were
closed, various resolutions were reported
and agreed to- authorizing the committee
on additional accommodations for the IL
brary, on transportation routes to the sea-
board. on engrossed bills, and on coast de-
fenses to sit during the recess.
Mr. Stewart offered a resolution, which
was referred to the committeeon contingent
expenses, to pay, during the month of April,
the usual per diem compensation to clerks
to committees not on annual salary, and
clerks to Senators.
At S:lO the Senate adjourned till p. NJ. to-
morrow.