Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-06
A PROPOSED COMPROMISE.
Mr.. Ingalls, Extends the Olive Branch
of Peace to the Newspaper Men.

Mr.. Ingalls, Extends the Olive Branch
of Peace to the Newspaper Men.
A new element has made its appearance in
| the conflict which is waging between the press
gallery of the Senate and the Senate itself.
| Heretofore there have been but two ideas
one. that of the Senators insisting on their
right to absolute secrecy while in executive
| session; the other, that of the newspaper men,
demanding that confidence reposed in them
shall be free from senatorial assault. And
now comes the spirit of conference and posi-
bic compromise.
SENATOR INGALLS, SUGGESTION
The suggestion comes from Senator ingalls,
| and it will be made when the Senate next takes
up for consideration the cases of those CORE
| spondents who are held to be in contempt
The proposition, as stated by the Senator to q
| STAR reporter this morning, will be to
have the Senate, through the committee
on rules a special committee, invite the
| newspaper men to confer with them, so that an
understanding may be reached. Senator In
gals believes there now exists mutual mis-
apprehension and this he feels cannot be re-
moved without conference.
''Personallg," said he, II am in favor of ex-
haustinS all the courtesy and diplomacy that
can be applied to the situation before we insist
| on the protection the law affords US. If harsh
measures are resorted to We shall be blameless
IN the matter"
Other Senators. who did not caretHto be
quoted talked freely of the inharmonious con-
dition of affairs and there was a decided una
nimity OF sentiment as to the wrong which they
believe Is being done by the press. They say
that the treatment to which they are being sub
jected is unfair and lacks the elements of
decency.
TWO SIDES TO THE QUESTION.
"You occupants of the press gallery are our
guests" said one, land We have never been
anything but liberal in our dealings with you.
We have given you private gallery, from
which every one except yourselves is excluded
by rigid rules. You are furnished with all nee
essary accommodations and you are not even
called upon to pay your stationery
bills. We treat you with every respect and
have the kindliest feelings toward you, yet
because we will not give you our proceedings
while in executive session you abuse US and
ridicule matters of which you cannot know
much nor know even that little with any de-
gree OF precision.
THE POPULAR IDEA OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION
born of the misstatements and alleged humor
OF the press-is that We are like children out
on frolc and that we gossip as old ladies do
at tea fight. This is unjust, untrue and un-
gentlemanly. Did you ever stop to
think that We are performing a
duty similar to that of the cabi-
pass upon precisely the same matters as have
been considered by the President and his
oihcIal family, yet we never hear any
popular clamor or alleged demand for
public sessions of the cabinet. We
do not play i'll executive session; we perform
the duties W hich the Constitution demands Of
us. Personally, give you all the information
which can with propriety make public, but
because regard the rules of the Senate am
abused without stint"
ANOTHER SENATOR'S VIEWS.
Another Senator, who is very much inter
ested in the work, or play, of the Dolph ''smel-
ling committee, said he was in favor
of expelling from the gallery any
correspondent who insuited the Senate
by the publication of what purported to be a
report OF secret session proceedings. He would
not advocate the exclusion of a newspaper, but
he would insist on the guilty writers being put
out and kept out. Il would treat him." said
he. las l would man who would print con-
versation he might hear while a guest at my
dinner table"
THE SECRET SESSION YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
The Senate went into secret session yester-
day afternoon to hear argument on the legal
aspects of the contest now being carried on by
the Dolph committee on the one hand and the
Senate press gallery on the other.
The session was fiat, stale and Improbable
When it started in there were many opinions
as to the power of the Senate as there were
Senators and when adjournment was reached
at O'Clock both Senators and ideas were quite
scarce. 1t was impossible to reach anything
like an agreement.
Tie more prominent debaters were Messrs.
Eyarts, Edmunds, Vest. George, Dolph and
Teller, and they resurrected much history,
both ancient and modern, to prove or disprove
what the others advanced. After an hour and
three-quarters of dry law the Senate retired
for the night.
THE EXECUTIVE SESSION TODAY.
The Senate confirmed a few nominations
after going into executive session this after
noon. The debate was then continued on Mr.
Dolph's resolution looking to the
punishment OF the newspaper cor
respondents who have refused to answer the
questions put to them by Mr.. Dolphs special
committee as to the sources of their informa-
ton respecting executive sessions.
So far as can be learned the discussion was
confined to the question of the power
OF the Senate, under the conditions
that exist, to punish these witnesses for
contempt Nearly every constitutional lawyer
subject and great diversity of opinion
has been expressed. The probabilities
are that Mr.. Dolph's resolution will
be defeated by small majority, and that Mr.
Ieilers substitute to consider nominations in
open session will also be defeated, leaving the
matters just as they now stand.
1t is said that since the discussion began Mr.
Teller's resolution has grown in favor and that
1t Is likely TO win its way to adoption before a
great while.
The debate was at times very hot and some
of the speeches were quite lengthy.
Senator Dolph insisted that the Senate
should uphold the action of the smelling"
committee.
The Senate is satisfied of its power to i'm
prison the contumacious witnesses, but will re-
train at present from doing so.
Its plan, it is understood, will be to refuse
the privileges of the gallery to the correspond
ents sending out secret session matter.
Senator Iugalls offered a resolution for
discussion of the matter between the Senate
and press committees.
The Senate continued in executive session
throughout the afternoon.
TURKISH PAssPoET REGULATIoSs-The fol-
loving notice has been issued by the Depart
ment of State: Passports are necessary for the
Turkish doninions, including Egypt and Pal
estIne, and must be certified by Turkish con-