The daily news., 1900-03-19
PUBLICITY IN
THE SENATE
Growing Tendency to Do Away
With Secret Sessions.
A CAUSE OF POPULAR DISTRUST.

Many Older Members Prefer Open
Discussion of All Questions Two
RefOrners In This Matter-Dr. Mary
Walker and the New Members.
WASHINGTON. March ~ i Special /
There is 4 growing tendency in the
United States senate toward publicity
concerning matters of an executive ma
ture. 1t was but few years ago that
in every case which cane under the
head of executive business of the sen
ate and which was considered in Sc
Cret session there was n great deal Of
secrecy maintained in form, if not in
actuaiity. All this is quite different
now. \ notable instance of this was
the publication Immediately of the
amendment to the -PauncefOte
treaty, together with the report in IA
vor of the adoption of that treaty. A
year ago the vote ratifying the peace
treaty Of Paris was also Immediately
made public. Nothing Of this kind
would have been possible a few years
ago. II Is not known whether this is
due to the fact that the publication Of
executive business after each session
is certain or that the senate has come
to the conclusion that II is much bet
ter TO take the people into their conf
dence rather than to attempt TO keep
things secret. | know that a great
many senators feel that the diStruSt OF
the senate Originates in many cases
simply because the people have an idea
that many unpopular acts are covered
up IN executive session.
Want Open Sessions.
Many senators would prefer to have
open sessions Oh every question. Some
of the Eew senators when they first
come here also believe that open ses-
thing they change their minds before
they have been very long members of
tho body 1t is understood that 1t
would not be Just the thing to have
open sessions in some cases, especially
in the matter Of rOmipatioQS, a5 the
character Of 9 presidential abbointee is
som rtimoS discussed rather freely.
Then. again, there may be times when
matters of vast Importance affecting
foreign nations are considered in ex-
e-Utivc session and things are said
which ought not to go ont as official ut
tcyancc, of men holding the important
places of senator's One of the men
T,o have long been advocates Of more
lihpGllity in the matter of executive
sessions is Senator Teller. lie has new
cr ceased 20 believe that much Of the
business tLat is done behind closed
doors might as we'll be 10 public One
of the ro:orlners in the matter Of more
publicity was David r. Hill When he
came TO the senate. combinations were
net announced by the senate until two
executive sessions bad passed. 1t was
upon 4 motion of Senator Hill that the
rules were amended SO that these con
tirmatiCns were announced immediate
ly. Senator Fill was also instrumental
in having number Of other traditional
requirements of executive sessions re
moved, and convinced many senators
that no damage was done when a great
deal that was transacted behind closed
doors appeared in the public prints.
No More Investigations.
1t Las now been nearly ten years
since the senate has attempted to In
vcstiEate how executive sessions be-
come public. The last time il was at
tempted II proved such roaring farce F,
that no senator really wants 20 conduct !
IN I'M -, IL
S known that several resolutions have /
been introduced By senators directing /
he comniitSe on rules TO make the in /
7eStiGatiOn, but, as these are never .
voted upon in the senate and as the F.,
committee on rules has no desire to ,
'vPr comes of them. No senator de-
:ircs to start ii or his own responsible !,
ty and attempt TO get ont Cf the news
PAPER men TIE sources Of their infor-
nation. 1t was the late Senator Bolph
# Oregon who tried to compel the
lrwSpaper men to give m this infor-
nation ard after conducting an invcs-
jSat'on fcr Two - tl"c" months utter
y failed 10 make any impression save
o provoke general enmity " the news
'au"r men here. who nearly always
o"S occasion to remind him in an un-
pleasant manner OF the investigation.
Er. Hnry Walkers Bill.
With every session of congress there
Pycar> az the capitol sooner or later
hat quaint. eccentric individual. DR..
faTY WALKER. To the older employees
bout the capitol the small figure of
ais strange woman. attired in long
rock coat and suit Of black, a beaver
1t, heavy shoes and cane. with the
n" mark of feInininity. the shawl.
brown over her shoulders. is instantly ,
rcogniZaole. and If any doubt exists
good look at her wrinkled. line mark /
L face will leave no question as TO her
ientity. This year DR.. Mary was
-afted into the capitol with g bill un-
pr her arm. After working for some ]