The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-04-02
WITH OPEN DOORS
Senator Teller Declares Himself
Strongly in Favor Of Open Sem
ate Sessions.
Save in international Matters He Can
See No Reason for Excluding
the Public.
A Number OF Nominations from the Prssi-
dent Among them Two MontaniAns
walker Confirmed.

WASHINGTON, April lin the senate TO-
day Teller offered the following: "Re-
solved, that hereafter all executive NOM
nations shall be considered in open SEES
sion OF the senate" He said: IL don't In
tend 10 ask consideration Of this resolution
at this time; merely offer II that II may be
sent TO the committee on rules at the next
session OF the senate. IL live 10 he present
intend to press that resolution In season
and out of season. have never believed
there was any reason why executive nom.
nations should be considered by the SEN
ate with closed doors. am satisfied the
vast majority OF the people of the United
States, irrespective Of party, are of the
same opinion. l am tired OF giving my
reasons 10 the senate with closed
doors for votes which give,
and OF seeing newspapers the next day as
cribe entirely different reosons ana not in
frequently no reason at all. | have never
expressed a sentiment nor given vote In
the senate with closed doors which | would
not give in open senate. | do not believe
any considerable number Of senators de-
sire to shield themselves from public criti
csm or public gaze In matter OF this
kind. While | admit that In considering
questions OF International matters there
may be and frequently are times when the
senate should sit with closed doors on ac-
count of great public interest, | can con
celve Of no reason why we should close our
doors when asked 20 pass on the qnali6ca-
tions OF men for public positions"
do not desire 10 conceal from the pub.
lie any action OF mine in reference 20 such
matters. On the contrary, am exceeding
ly anxious that when | exercise my con
stitutional and senatorial duty here, ! may
execute IL In the face OF the whole world
or at least so much OF the world as has the
right 10 call me In question for my con-
duct, 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 question of
confirmation; 1 believe that that practice is
one of the agencies calculated to bring the
American senate into disrepute and into
contempt, for the people Will believe (un-
der the charges that are made day by day
that we are afraid 10 express cur views In
public that there is some truth In them.
Newspaper men, with their zeal, must find
some reason for our condct, and very fire.
Quently put In our mouths things We never
said and never thought
The resolution was referred 10 the com
mittee on rules.
Stewart offered resolution, which was
laid over till to morrow, that the senate
has learned with profound sorrow OF the
death OF John Bright; remembering his
constant and unwaverlng friendship for
us. desire 10 join with the parliament Of
his own country In paying a grateful tIib'
ute to one who during his long public life
WAS conspicuous In his devotion to the
cause of freedom and humanity.
| Sherman reported the committee ar
pointed TO wait on the president and in
qniIe whether he had any further cOmmu.
nication to make 10 the senate had been ad
vised by the president he would today
communicate 10 the senate certain mes
sages, but that after to-day no other mes
sages would be sent except OF formal
character 10 fill vacancies as they arise.