Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-01
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
AGAINST CLOSED DOORS.
Senator Teller Wants Nominations
Considered in Open Session.
MORE OFFICIAL CHANGES.
Important Nominations on the List To-Day.
The Senate.
The Senate met at p. m.
Mr.. Teller offered the followino

The Senate met at p. m.
Mr.. Teller offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That hereafter all executive nomina-
tions shall be considered in open session of the
Senate.
He said: II do not intend to ask considera-
ton of this resolution at this time; I merely
offer it that it may be referred to the committee
on rules. AT the next regular session of the
Senate Gf l live to be present) l intend
to press that resolution in season and out of
season. l have never believed that there was
should be considered by the Senate with closed
doors. am satified that the great majority Of
the people of the United States, irrespective of
party, are OF the same opinion. l am tired Of
giving my reasons to the Senate with closed
doors for the votes which I 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 a sentiment nor
given vote in the Senate with closed doors
which would not give in open Senate. l 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 l admit that, in considering questions of
international relations, there may be, and fire.
quently are, times when the Senate should sit
interests, L can conceive of no reason why we
should close our doors when we are asked to
pass on the qualification of men nominated for
public office. l don't desire to conceal from
the public any action of mine in reference to
such matters. On the contrary l am exceed
ingly anxious that when / exercise
constitutional and senatorial duty here, may
execute 1t III the gaze Of the whole world, or,
at least of so much of the world as has the right
to call me in question for my conduct-and
fhnt - th,,@ - H. ~
heve that the time has come when public senti-
ment will not tolerate the closing of our doors
on mere questions of confirmation. Ibelieve
that that practice is one of the agencies that is
calculated
TO BRING THE AMERICAN SENATE INTO DIsRE-
PUTE
and into contempt, for the people will believe
(under the charges that are made day by day
that we are afraid to express our views in
eublic) that there is some truth in them.
THE NEWSPAPER MEN,
with all their zeal, must find some reason for
our conduct; and very frequently they put in
our mouths things We never have said and
never have thought. While there may be good
reasons and strong reasons for the rejection of
a candidate the public is not aware of those
reasons, which it has a right to know.
Therefore, l wish to give notice now
that when we assemble here again in regular
session shall insist $50 far as l CAM that this
question shall be presented to the Senate, and
that we shall have a vote on this branch of it,
at least, clear and independent Of the question
as to what shall be done with public treaties
and public affairs pertaining to international
law.
THE RESOLUTION WAS REFERRED.
The resolution was referred to the committee
on rules.
THE DEATH OF JOHN BRIGHT.
Mr.. Stewart offered the following resolu-
tion which was laid over till tomorrow:
Resolred, That the Senate has learned with pro-
found sorrow the death of John Bright, and, re-
membering his constant and unwavering friend
ship for the United States, desires to join with
the parliament of his own country in paying a
grateful tribute to one who, during his long
public career, was conspicuous in his devotion
to the cause of freedom and humanity.
NO NOMINATIONS AFTER TO-DAY EXCEPT
Mr.. Sherman with Mr.. Ransom) reported
that the committee appointed to wait upon the
Presidentand inquire whether he had danyfurther
communication to make to the Senate had
performed that duty, and had been advised by
the President that he would to-day communi-
cate to Eho Senate certain messages; but that,
after to-day, no other messages would be sent
except OF a formal character, to fill vacancies
as they arise.
Committees TO SIT DURING THE RECESS.
Resolutions were reported from the commit
tee on contingent expenses and agreed to, au-
thorizing the committees on epidemic diseases
and on patents to sit during the recess-the
former to continue its investigations into the
yellow fever question and the latter to inquire
into the system of issuing patents.
SECRET SESSION.
The Senate then, on motion Of Mr.. Mander-
son, proceeded to the consideration Of execu-
tive business.