New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-03
SECRET SESSIONS OF THE SENATE

HECHET 6E6GIONo OE 1hb pINhhA-s
Mr. Teller has now come forward with
proposition that all Executive nominations shall
be considered by the Senate in open session,
and promises that he viii push II in season and
ont, when Congress reassemblcs. The OPP
ponents of secret sessions seem to be gaining
ground, though slowly. A little more than \
wear ago they succeeded in carrying new rule.
under which a majority Of the Senate could
throw open the doors at any time during the
discussion of treaty. AS result, the whole
country was allowed TO listen TO the debate on
the Fisheries Treaty. This, II was found, did
no harm. but was productive Of great good.
Probably this is as far as even the opponents
of secret sessions would care to go in the matter
of treaties A rigid rule that treaties must be
considered in open session might be decidedly
disadvantaeeous, rs occasions would almost
certainly arise where secrecy was essential.
The consideration Of nominations TO public
Office does not raise the same question. IL is
difficult to conceive Of any great interest being
imperiIled by public discussion Of the merits
or dement's Of any appointment, however i'm
portant. No doubt there are cases where
serious charges are brought against nominee,
and where he and bis friends are glad that they
are not brought out fully into the light Of day.
But whore a man is open TO such charges 1t
would be better for the public service that they
should become known, aud that the force OF
public opinion should be able to make itself
felt to secure the rejection Of On unworthy can
didate. The formal discussion Of the merits Of
a nominee in open session would be on ordeal
from which some would shrink, who now seek
Office, because they think that, once nom
mated, they can lobby their way through the
Senate under the cover Of O secret session. On
the other hand, an innocent man who should
be unjustly or maliciously attacked would prob
ably prefer in nine cases out Of ten to be vim
dicated in public. There is class OF nomina-
lions, to be sure concerning which questions OF
considerable delicacy may arise. For example
in the discussion of nomination for place
| upon the bench of the Supreme Court, other
considerations than that of character are to be
taken into account. Senators must decide
whether the candidate has the depth OF Learn
| ing, breadth Of mind and other intellectual
characteristics that are needed It can easily
| be understood that they might be reluctant to
discuss these phases Of nomination in public
especially II they thought that free criticism OF
| candidate, who might afterward be con-
frmed, might lower his prestige before the
community, and Sc directly affect the influence
Of the court itself. There seems to be simple
way TO solve this difficulty. What is there x
prevent the adoption Of rule regarding tht
| discussion Of nominations TO Office precisely
similar to that already adopted regarding the
| discussion Of treaties? This would probably
establish the custom Of considering most nom
nations in open session. Whenever It wa
thought that the public interest would be bes
served by considering nomination in secret
o majority could SO order 1t.
Itisa fact not TO be ignored that the system
Of secret sessions In considering nominations
has not all the force Of ancient precedent tina
Is commonly ascribed to Il. II was not pre
scribed by formal rule until 1890, or thirty
one years sitter tho formation Of the Gcvesh
msnt, The fact that such rule waa prepessd