The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-13
open OR SECRET SESSION
Question Raised in Connection with
Consideration of Treaty of
Peace in Senate.
CLARA BARTON is SPECIALLY HoNoRED,

She Is Extended the Privileges of the
Floor of the Scnate-Oaicers and
Agents of Red Cross society
ThanlSed-House Considers Diplo-
matte and Consular Bill.
Washington, Jan. Ex-senator AL
lison Qa.) reported the Indian APP
preparation bill and gave notice that he
would call it up Friday.
Senator Hawley (Conn.), of the mil
itary affairs committee, reported joint
resolution rendering the thanks of con-
gress to Clara Barton and the officers
and agents of the Red Cross society
for their humane service towards the
-Arn1Enians and towards both sides in
the Hispano-American war.
Senator Hoar asked for immediate
consideration of the resolution, which
was passed after Senator Hoar ex-
plained that the privileges of the floor
as result would be extended in any
event only to Miss Barton, and he did
not believe she would trouble any
body.
Under a special order the senate
passed 16 unobjected bills on the pri-
vate pension calendar, and at l: 10 p. M.
on motion of Senator DAVIS, went into
executive session.
Contend for Open Sessions.
The first part OF the executive ses-
sion was spent in considering the mo-
tion of Senator Berry, of Arkansas, TO
have the discussion of the peace treaty
take place in open session. Senator
Berry opened the discussion in behalf
of the motion, saying that the people
who would be most affected and were
most interested in the decision to be
reached should have full knowledge OF
the reasons for and against ratifying
the treaty. Senator Vest supported
Senator Berry in his contention that
the proceedings of the senate on the
treaty should be conducted in open ses-
sion. He said that the question atissue
was one of such general Importance
that the public was entitled to know
all that was said and uone by its pub,
lie servants. He also adverted to the
tact%that the proceedings of execu-
tive sessions are often published, thus
rendering it impossible to preserve Sc
crecy even if desirable to do so.
Senators Frye, Hale and others spoke
in opposition to the motion, contend
ing for the propriety of following prece-
dent in the present instance in the
senate.
Many questions of delicate nature
would necessarily arise in the consider
alton of the treaty, and while it was
possible that some of the proceedings
might reach the public, they would not
go out in an official form, and the effect
would not be the same as if given out
officially.
should Proceed Cautiously.
The senate devoted few minutes
of its executive session to the consider
alton of the promotions of Rear Ad-
mirals Sampson, Schley and other naval
ator Hale made an effort to have the
nominations confirmed, but at Senator
Chandler's instance action was post
poned. Senator Chandler suggested
that while the honors conferred were
the result of a laudable desire to reward
gallantry, the senate should proceed
cautiously, so as to make sure of not
doing injustice to other meritorious Of
ficers, who did not have the same op-
portunities for distinguishing them.
selves as these officers whose nomina-
tions had been sent to the senate.
Other speakers in opposition to the
public discussion of the treaty were
Senators Davis, Gray and Teller. They
urged that the treaty was the most im-
portant ever made by this govern
ment and therefore contended for the
observance of the proper forms in its
consideration. AS they regarded the
question the time was especially mop
perfume for changing the practice of
the senate in this matter. Senator's
Davis, Frye and Gray, all members Of
the peace commission, united in saying
that their experience in formulating
the treaty had convinced them that
much would come up in considering
it in the senate which should not be
given to the public. Their united ver-
dict had an appreciable effect upon
other senators and it soon became evil
dent that the chances of success of the
Berry amendment had been consider
ably impaired.
Attacks Policy of Administration.
Washington, Jan. IL. Representative
Carmack (Tenn.) made vigorous at
TACK in the house on the administra-
tion's Philippine policy, denouncing it
as launching the government on rev.
olutionary career of conquest and Grim
inai aggression.
Washington. Jan. 1:s,1 The house
Thursday promptly ven, inta commit
tee OF the Wlhhollet on the diplomatic ana
consulgIappgopriation, bill. 1t was ar
ranged that there should be two hours
and half on side for general debate.
Mr.. Dinsmore (dem., Ark.) said mem
bers on his side wanted opportunity to
address the house on general subjects,
but so far as he was aware they had no