The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-12-13
STAR CHAMBER
IN STATE SENATE
Motion to Abolish Executive Meetings
Loses After Much Debate
PeeVe VandeVenter.

al and accurate story carried Dy Inc
0kIahoman Thursday morning of the
Proceedings of the senate in executive
session the afternoon before, when
ae first official action was taken in
the board of education controversy,
was the cause of a two-hour's discus
sion in the senate Thursday forenoon,
during which both sides of the ques-
ton of the right of the public to have
Information of the senatorial delibera-
tions on the board of education ap-
pointments were thoroughly debated.
"A motion by Senator ]. H. Thomp-
son to make all sessions of the senate
open to the public was defeated by a
ote of 12 to 25 A subsequent mo-
Jlon by Senator Anderson that the
newspaper men be allowed to attend
the executive sessions also was de-
feated. The matter is likely to come
up again, however, as many of the
senator's recognize the advantage of
permitting the newspaper men to get
. rst hand and accurate reports of the
lxe utive sessions rather than the er-
roneouc reports that necessarily will
result from being forced to get news
at second hand.
Under the constitution, all delibera-
tons of the senate in passing upon
gubernatoral appointees are required
10 be held in executive session. The
reason is plain, AID is indicated by
the constitution itself, that such
privacy is required both to protect
from publicity any appointee whose
character should be assailed in op-
posing his confirmation and to give
| the senators perfect freedom in ex.
pressing their convictions concerning
the men whom the governor may have
nominated for confirmation.
I Executive Session Necessary.
+ Some of the senators, especially eau
Gus Chairman Reuben M. Roddie, have
taken the position that under this con-
stitutional provision whenever the
1 senate takes up the matter of the
ward of education, or any of the gov
= .snor's appointments, that the senate
n lust go into executive session, from
Y lhich the public and newspaper rep
fresentatives are excluded.
f7 It is in accordance with this reason
Eng that the senate closed the doors
against the public Wednesday after
0noon when the governors message
'iGrst came up for official notice, and
'also that the Thursday sessions, when
the board of education case was up
'ffor consideration again, were held be-
Shind closed doors.
: But the impression is gaining among
nthe senators that this may be wrong.
erhe board of education controversy,
&s one prominent senator said Thurs
day, is matter in which the state
has been interested for more than
wear; it involves a number of promi-
Hhent men and several very intricate
OHegal questions; it touches upon con-
stitutional rights. 1t is of such inn
portance that the governor has even
it best to call the senate in
extraordinary assembly to end the dis
oute The questions of personality
aud character are a minor part of the
controversy, if involved at all.
"I am of the opinion therefore" con-
n luded this senator, that just so long
las the senate deliberations do not
/ ouch upon any mans character or
ainder any senator from expressing
limself as to the fitness of the gov
arnor's nominees, the doors should be
m3pened to the public 1t must be re-
Rembered that this entire controversy
IS over public matters and between
a ryants of the public, and l fear that
I'VE. the senate, who are also servants
the public, will do wrong if we con-
niue to exclude the public from the
curt in which this big case has now
ome to trial"
Vandeventer Aroused.
e The debate was started as soon as
#he senate convened at 10 o'clock
q thursday forenoon. Senator Vande-
Anter Immediately arose to point
personal privilege, and read The
Pklahoman story of the executive ses-
on which told of the passage of Sen
Ntpr Roddie's motion calling upon the
acretary of state for the commissions
III hich were issued to the board mem
ers whom the governor afterwards
ttempted to revoke, and other mat
8ars which happened in the executive
ssion.
Senator Vandeyenter said there was
S leak" and that if it occurred again
would ask for an investigating COM
#ittee He inferred that members of