New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-10

THE HOUSE EXPECTED TO TAKE ACTION
WITH OPEN DOORS

WITH OPEN DOORS.
LEADERS SAY THE PROCEEDINGS WOULD BE-
known ANYvAY-THE MEXICAN WAR Be
Gan BEFORE \ DECLARATION
FL CONGRESS.
Washington. April 9-Thero was rumor
about the Capitol to-day to the effect that the
House Of Representatives would consider in So
cret session whatever resolutions were reported.
1t could not he traced to any responsible au-
thority. and was generally discredited. OF
course. it had been speculated upon as a pos
sbty. Just as all other possibilities have. but
the House leaders seem 10 agree that secre;
session with the large membership Of the House
would not prevent the proceedings from leaking
out. and that the proceedings q a secret session
would he printed as fully and completely the
proceedings Of the Senates executive sessions
ara. The only possible advantage Of having the
proceedings IN executive session, they believe,
would be tie probable shortening Of the de-
bate. General Henderson, Of Iowa, one Of the
leaders Of the majority. and member Of the
Committee on Rules. said that the subject had
not been suggested TO him. "Oi course, we have
the power consider questions in secret sas-
SION said he but, giving an ofhand opinion
l can see no advantage in proceeding behind
closed doors. IL we desired 70 nave Il Tree us
cussion Of an international question where there
danger Of disturbing our friendly relations
with a foreign Government. it might be wise to
have the discussion in secret. But IL seems to
me this matter has gone too far. The American
people are with US. and we might IA well say
what we have TO say In the open.
If secret sessions were desired they would
be held under Rule No 80, which is fol-
lows: Whenever confidential communications
are received from the President OF the United
States or whenever the Speaker or any member
shall inform the House that he has a communca-
ton which he believes ought to be kept secret
for the present. the House shall be cleared OF
all persons except the members ard officers
thereof and so continue during the reading ~
such communications. the debate and proceed
ings thereon. unless otherwise ordered by the
House"
An examination Of the preccdents shows tina:
In the only two instances in which the Lnited
States engaged in a foreign war-the war or
1912 and the Mexican Wharf.-The proceedings in
the first case took place behind closed doors In
both the House and the Senate. In the case OF
the Mexican War ali the proceedings in both
houses were in open session. on Monday, June
l. 1Sl2. President Madison transmitted his mes
sage to Congress regarding the invasion or
American rights on the high seas by Great
Britain. But the President made no recon-
mendations In submitting the question 10 Con
gress ne said. We behold. In fine, on the side
Of Great Britain state OF war against the
United States. and on the side Of the United
States a state IF peace toward Great Britain.
Whether the United Stateh snail continue pas
sive under the progressive usurpations and
these accommodating wrongs. or, opposing FORCE
to force. in defence Of their National rights.
shall commit just cause into the hands or tAe
Almighty DspOser Of events. avoiding all con
nections which might entanSle II IN the interest
OF views OF other Powers. and preserving con
CT f4f D ]
establishment &C peace and friendship. is SOL
einn question which the Constitution wisely con-
iides - the Legislative Department o.; the Gov
eminent. In recommending IL to their carly DE-
Nberat.ons ! am happy in the assurance that the
decision will be worthy the enlightened and
patriotic counsels Of "A virtuous. fre" ana
powerful Nation
The message was marked "conhdentia'," and
the House at once went into secret session. In
this session. the proceedings Of which were af-
terWard made public. the message was read
and as indicating the temper Of Congress AT
that time, the motion 10 refer it to the Com
nlittee Of the Whole for immediate action was
defeated-31 to -. 1t was referred 70 the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs. The House met and
adjourned the following day, awaiting the re
port Of the committee. on the next day, June
3 Mr. Calhoun submitted the report OF the
committee. which in strong terms stated the
causes and reasons for declaring war against
Great Britain. and which submitted bill con-
tanning a declaration of war. Mr.. Quincy moved
TO remove the Injunction Of secrecy at this
iuncture bat the motion was defeated-4H 70 20.
Another motion by John Randolph TO have the
proceedings conducted with open doors failed
AZ to -.
The motion then put. Shall the bill be
rejected ." and II was lOst-i5 10 I6 The bill
was then considered in Committee Of the Whole.
and without action the House adjourned. Inc
ayes and noes on the third reading. on June
! resulted IS 70 a.. When the bill was about
20 pass Randolph moved 70 postpone cons!dera.
ton until October. but the motion was defeated
80 to 81. Several nlibusterinG motions TO
pos pone. adjourn etc. we're defeated. and
finally the bill was passedIh 20 40 The bll
was then transmitted 10 the Senate and passed
that body. with amendments. on June -. The
same day the House agreed 70 the amendments.
the bill was signed by the President. and on Mr..
Randolphs motion the injunction OF secrecy
removed
Hostilities had actually begun before action
was taken by Congress in the Mexican War
The battles ot Matamoras and Resaca de IA
Palma had been fought. On Monday. May II,
1876 the House. by vote II l23 10 81. passed
n bill declaring that a state OF war existed De
tween The United States and Mexico. The pro-
ceedings IN both houses were in orcn session.