, 1889-04-04
NATIONAL NEWS.
An Effort to Do Away with Ex-
ecutive Sessions.
A List Of Nominations and Con-
tirm8tiOns.
Tho Naval louestion-Pensions for sailors
wives-Adjournment Approhch-
ing-Notes.

WAsuINGroN, April 1.-The senate
specinI com mittee to wait upon the presi
dent reported they had performed that
duly and had been advised 10y the presi'
dent that he would to-day communicate
certain messages, but after to-day no other
message will be sent except OF formal
Character to fill vacant seats.
Teller offered the following:
Resolved, That hereafter all executive
nou,j nations will be considered in open
session of the senate.
He said: IL don intend to ask consid-
Grafton Of this resolution at this time. |
merely offer it that 1t may be offered to
the committees on rules at the next session
Of the senate. IL live to be present, in.
tend to press that resolution In season and
out OF season. have never believed there
was any reason why executive nominal ons
should be considered by the senate with
closed doors. | am satisfied the vast ma
jority of people Of the United State, irre-
spective of party, are OF the same opinion.
| am tired OF giving my reasons to the
senate with closed doors for the votes
which give and seeing In the newspapers
next dav with entirely different reasons
astrb, d to me and not infTequenty no
reason at all. have never expressed u
statement nor given "a vote In the senate
with closed doors which | would not give
In open senate. | do not believe any con-
siderable number of senators desire to
shield themselves from public criticism or
public gaze In u matterof this kind. While
| admit that In cons deriug questions Of
international matters there may be, and
frequently are, tunes when we should sit
with closed doors on accvnnt ot the great
public interest, can conceive OF no rea.
son W. should close our doors when asked
to pass on the qualifications of men for
-
sire to conceal from the public
any action of mine in reference to such
matters On the contrary ! am exceed
ingly anxious that when | exercise a con.
stitutional senatorial duty here | may ex.
ecute u IN toe face Of the whole world or
at least 20 much Of the world that has the
right to c,l me IN question for nv con.
duct, and that Is people OF the United
States. believe that the time has come
when toe public sentiment will not toler-
ate the closing of our doors on mCre
question uf confirmation. | believe that
practice Is one OF the agencies which Is
calculated tI bringthc mrrlcln senate into
disrepute. and iuto contempt. for people
will believe (uuder 'he charges that are
made every day. that we are afraid to eG-
press our opinion in public; that there Is
some truth In them. Newspaper men
with their zeal must find some reason for
mouths things we never said and never
thought
The resolution was referred to the com
mittee on rules
Stewart offered a resolution, which was
laid over till tomorrow, that the senate
has learned with profound sorrow OF the
death of John Bright, and remembering
his constant and unwaveriLv friendship
for the United States desire to join with
the parliament Of his own country in pay
ing grateful tribute to one who during his
long public life was conspicuous in his de-
votion to tue cause of freedom and human
it,.
Sherman with Ransom reported tat
the committee To await upon the president
and enquire whether he had and further
communication to make the senate had
been advised by the president that he
would to-day communicate to the senate
certain messages, but after to-day no other
messages except of a formal character to
to fill vacancies as they arise.
The senate then proceeded to executive
business. While the doors were closed,
various resolutions wer" reported and
agreed to, authorizing several committees
to sill during recess.