The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-13
WHETHER N PUBLIC
Or Secret Session to Debate
the Treaty
DISCUSSED BY SENATORS
Without Coming to a De-
ciSion on the Point.

Washington. Jan. little business was
transacted by the senate in open session
| today. Sixteen bills on the private pension
| calendar were passed and a joint resolution
extending the thanks Of congress 10 Miss
| Clara Barton and other officials OF the Red
Cross society for their bene1cent work in
Armenia and Cuba were adopted.
| Mr.. Allison Qowa) reported the Indian
appropriation bill and gave notice that
| ne would call it up tomorrow.
Mr.. Hawley Comm. of the military af-
fairs committee. reported a joint resolu-
| ton rendering the thanks Of congress TO
Clara Barton and the officers and agents
OF the Red Cross society for their humane
services toward the Armenians and toward
both sides in the Hispano-American war.
Mr.. Hoar asked for immediate consid-
Grafton Of the resolution, which was passed
after Mr.. Hoar explained that the privi-
leges Of the floor. as a result, would be
extended in any event only TO Miss Barton
and he did not believe she would trouble
anybody.
Under a special order the senate passed
sixteen unobiected bills on the private pen
sion calendar and at lilo p. m. on motion
of Mr. Davis, went into executive ses-
sion.
The first part of the executive session
was spent in considering the motion 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 af-
feoted and were most interested in the de-
cision to be reached should have fun
knowledge Of the reasons for and against
ratifying the treaty. Senator Vest sup
ported MI. Berry in his contention thai
the proceedings of the senate on the treaty
should be conducted in open session He
said that the question at issue was one OF
such Importance that the public was en-
titled to know all that was said and done
by its public servants. He also adverted 10
the fact that the proceedings OF executive
sessions are often published. thus render
ing it impossible to preserve secrecy. even
If desirable to do so.
Senator's Frye, Hale and others spoke in
opposition to the motion, contending for
the propriety Of following precedent in
the present instance in the senate.
Many questions of a delicate nature
would necessarily arise in the considera-
ton Of the treaty and while it was posi-
bic 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
The session closed without asy action
having been taken in the motion to make
the proceedings public.
The senate devoted few minutes OF It's
executive session to the consideration OF
the promotions of Rear Admirals Sampson.
Schley and other naval officers out OF
their regular order. Senator Hale made an
effort to have the nominations confirmed
but at Senator Chambers instance, action
was postponed. Mr.. Chandler suggested
that while the honors conferred were the
result of laudable desire to reward gal
lantry, the senate should proceed cautious
" so as to make sure of not doing injus- |
tice to other meritorious officers who did |
not have the some opportunities for dlstin- !
gushing themselves as these officers whose /
nominations had been sent to the senate.
Mr. Cockrell entered motion to recall |
the bill which passed yesterday authorizing !
the president TO appoin tBrigadier General |
T. H. Stanton a major general and place /
him on the retired list with that rank. /
At o'clock the senate adjourned.