Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-04-19
SECRETSOF THESENATE
Still Continue to be Published as They
Always Have Been
ANDPROBABLY ALWAYS WILL BE.
The Removal Of Clerk Young Has No Effect What
eyer-Ths Proceedings of Yesterdays Secret
Session in Detail-Blaine and the Bering
Sea Matter-Nearing an Agreement

m0duS VlVenQl IOr tDe prOleCIIOH VI buo
Bering Sea seal fisheries during the pen
dency of the arbitration which has been
a subject of negotiation between Secre-
tary Blaine and the British Minister,
was brought to the Capitol about l
o'clock this afternoon. For some reason
not now apparent, it was under inJunc-
tion OF secrecy, and therefore was not
laid before the Senate in open session.
Mr.. Sherman was notified by the Presi-
dent of the nature Of the communlca-
tion, and as soon as he could do so he
moved that the Senate go into executive
session. Accordingly the doors were
closed, the galleries cleared and the
seal question taken up.
1t appeared from the reading OF the
document that Mr.. Blaine and the Brit
ish Minister have been spending the
time since March goth, when the Brit
ish Government consented TO renew the
modus vivendi In trying to phrase the
conditions relative to damages, so as to
secure advantages for their respective
governments. Indeed, IL appears that
all Of the hesitation and reluctance ex-
htbited by. Great Britain in consent
ing TO the renewal was assumed with
the purpose of obliging this government
to accept terms for the adjustment OF
damages that would insure Great Brit
ain against heavy loss in the event OF
decision adverse to her by the arbitra
tors, and. on the other hand would
promise the assessment OF such sum
of money against the United States as
would go far towards healing the sore
ness still felt by British diplomats at
the formidable judgment rendered
against them by the Geneva arbitration.
Secretary Blaine has been endeavor-
ing to bring the statement OF Liabilities
OF the two parties back TO the basis laid
down in Mr.. Wbarton's note OF July %
last. while the British Government has
sought to escape the direct responsible
ity for the unwarrantable killing OF
seals, and for anything more than the
the difference between the $500 seals
which the lessees Of the seal islands
took and the 100, 900 skins they might
have taken had the Modus of last year
not been enforced. The agreement
Just reached is said to be fair mean
between the extreme propositions.
The discussion to-day was generally
in the same line that has character
lied the preceding debates, and some
some Senators called attention to what
they regarded as imperfections in the
document. II was finally referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
The case of the late executive clerk,
Young, came up again for a few min
utes in connection with letter written
by Mr.. Henry Watterson, the editor OF
the Louisville Courier Journal making
a strong plea for Mr.. Young, but no
action was taken.
The most striking parts OF letter
from Mr.. Young, who presented it to
Vice President Morton, follows:
A portion of the Committee on Foreign
Relations in a panic over the Bering Sea
business, or under some influence, / may
not divine, conceives the fancy that a
clerk is responsible for the publication OF
secret news. 1t could have summoned
that clerk. and had at least the advantage
of ten minutes inquiry. Something Ia MS
manner, even if he had been hardened
criminal and not, as IN my case, a trusted
official Of fifteen years standing, would
have 1n0Oleu
a reasonable suspicion of guilt. But no.
A resolution is passed removing the
clerk. and reported to the SEN
ate in secret session. Here again the clerk
could have been questioned at his desk by
the Senators. He could have made some
statement or explanation. But no. The
doors are not only closed, but he is special
lv asked TO leave, and no intimation given
him of any charge Of suspicion. An earn
est debate ensues. Certain Senators inter-
vene to arrest what they deemed an inIus-
tice. The resolution is on the point oil de-
feat. and is withdrawn only upon tue as
surance of Senator that he will practic-
allv obtain from the clerk an admission OF
puilt. This admission would be found IN
resignation, which, as an act OF mercy,
would be accepted.
The Senator alluded TO approached Mr..
Young and asked for his resignation, but
was met with a fat refusal and demand
for an investigation.
Because / declined 10 accept the advice
of Senator Cameron and resign, my ONCE
has been declared vacant.
All ask now is that one Of the Senator'S
who have pursued me in secret should
waive the constitutional privilege oil immu-
uitv for words spoken in debate, and avoW
in public a responsibility for charges
MADE OurlDB lNo GAbSAhVSuS y. "Hb. -
discussion. shall then be In
the open, and able 70 protect myself. can
promise a swift and decisive answer, one
that will satisfy the country. This IS an
appeal 10 manliness, jrstice and fair play.
| cannot believe that it IS made in vain.
The Vice President announced In the
Senate this morning that ne had re-
ceived a communication from Mr..
Young, and that it would be laid upon
the table, as it had been printed In this
mornings paper
Mr.. Henry Watterson to-day sent
letter to Vice President Morton in Dir.
Young's behalf, appealing through him
TO the Senate for an act of justice, not
only to a citizen, but 10 an entire body
OF citizens, whose character and honor
the recent act OF the Senate. in man
ner. questions and assails. Mr.. Waiter
son says:
~ have known Mr.. Young from his boy
hood. and can fully attest his integrity and
discretion. But private sentiments aside,
there is a principle OF justice here inyolv-
ed. and the press and public have claim
upou the ear OF the Senate, which can be
reached through you. not merely its chief
organ and officer, but the one direct repre-
sentative in the Senate Of all the people OF
the United States"