New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-20
TO DO IT'S WORK IN SECRET.
THE SENATE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
WILL SIT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
RIFT SENATOR GRAY WILL GIVE OUT SUCH IN
FORMATION AS HE THINKS THE PUB
Lie OUGHT TO HAVE.


FORMATION AS He THINKS THE PUB
Lie OUGHT TO HAVE.
fpY TELEGRAPH To TRIBUyEl
WASHINGTON MAY l9-The announcement Of the
decision OF the Bribery Investigation Committee OF
the Senate OF which Mr.. Gray is chairman. to hold
secret instead of public sessions was received at
the Capitol to-day with much regret ard many mis-
clvings 1t had been understood that the two Re-
publican members Of the committee, Mr. Lodge and
Mr. Davis. and the Populist member. Mr. Alien.
woud favor the freest and most open sort Of an u-
ou,ry into the charges made In the Lodge resolution
Mr. Gray, however. Is believed to have shown such
an invincibe objection TO exposing the secrets or
the Senate to the press and the public that his col
leagues finally yielded to his desire TO preserve the
sanctity Of Senatorial tradition and privilege. and
consented to hold the proposed investigation oohlAl
closed doors Mr. Gray announced after the meeting
OF the committee that he would issue from day TO
dav such information about the results OF the III
quiry as he might think the public was entitled TO-
secre, investigations in the Senate have invariably
had the same conclusion. They have disclosed IN
the public estimation only those facts which no one
has been especially concerned in suppressing, the
usuol rule Of Senatorial courtesy" being supposed
to apply to the witnesses and their nquistors alike.
That Mr. Grays inslsence on secret sessions VIII
not destroy entirely the value and significance OF the
proposed inquiry may possibly be true But the
policy announced to-day has already gone far 10
undermine the confidence OF the public in the success
Of the Investigation and 10 discredit whatever
mcagre results the investigators may announce 10
the country after discriminating revision OF the
testimony on he part OF the committees cautious
chairman.
After the committee adjourned Senator's Gray and
Lindsay tho Democratic members. remained in their
COMMUNICATION for half an hour longer. After
ward Mr. Gray SAID he supposed every MEMBER OF
the committee went to the meeting this morning
with the idea that open sessions would be he.d
bu; after canvasslng the situation from every point
or Wow II was decided that the truth could Dest
be got at by a closed session. The committee VII
therefore he said. sit somewhat AFTER the lash'vh
OF a Grand Jury. determined 10 get at the facts
such sessions permitting i freedom Or quesu2n'
and discussion that probably would not De oD'th-
abe were the public and press admitted MI
Gray said that the members OF the committee az
improper motives by some OF the newspapers Dui
the fact that every member Of s-e committee Vot.l
FOR ciosal sessions would show that shch a''ou
was taken only because the committee peNeVeI
4; would best subserve the pubic good
ARRANGEMENTS made 20 begin the lnNeSllSa-
ton OF tho charges OF the attempted bribery 81
Senators Hunton and Ky,e on Monday mex ,
Senator GRAY authorizes the denial OF tn' Sitt-
menf that arrangements had been made Dy me
committee to adjourn for a fortnight immoPAteN
GRAY saws that the bribery cases VIII be taken up
first 40 they FIRST named In the res".utloh,
and that as they are out OF me way, the
other matters will be proceeded with ne Genres
''rhcrc are i've honorable men on this commlttee
he sad and ! believe the country can dtpeHI oi
them 4, % their duty In this matter. ana DO II
promptly.