New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-05
Iowan Backed by 9 Others
in Effort to Abolish
Star Chambers.
CLOTURE PROPOSED
BY GEORGIA SENATOR
Moves to Change Rules an Echo
of Three Days Strife Over
Choice Of Daniels.
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Washlngton. April 4.--Narious changes
IN the rule OF procedure I'm the Senate
were proposed On resolutions oncrod to-
day following the bitter controversy be
hind closed doors yesterday over the nom
nation Of winthrop NJ. Daniels TO he a
member OF the Interstate Commerce Com
mission
The proposal to do away with the ex-
ecutiye session and let the light In on
the discussion OF Presidential appoint
menis was embodied In a resolution Of
fered Nv Senator kenyon.
Senator Oyerman proposed form OF
censorship by rule prohibiting a Sen
ator from referring "dlsrespeci; or Of
fensively TO the President OF the United
states or the Vice President In debate.
4 modified form OF cloture was proposed
by Senator Smith. OF Georgia, who Will
ofier an amendment requiring senators To
discuss the pending measure
The three propositions are the fruit OF
three days Of debate on the Daniels nom
nation. disposition was manifested
on all sides to-day 60 bring the Senate
back 10 observance OF parliamentary con
ventons which prevailed in the golden
age OF Senate debate.
Senator Kenyon's resolution recites that
1T is the judgment OF the Senate that all
executive sessions shall hereafter be open
to the public. except when treaties are
considered or when the Senate by unani-
nous consent orders otherwise. and the
Committee on Rules is directed 10 pre-
pare such amendments to the rules or to
prepare new rules, or both, that may be
necessary TO carry out the terms of this
resolution and present the same to the
Senate for action thereon"
Senator Overmans proposal 90 shield
the President behind the screen OF pro-
prietv against attacks by Senators is.
no Senator in debate shall, directly or
indirectly. by any form or words .mpute
f TO another Senator or 10 the Senators any
+ conduct or motives unworthy or unbe-
coming a Senator. or in any manner
refer disrespectfully or extensively OF the
\ President Of the United states or 10 the
/ Vlce-President"
The Kenyon resolution was Submitted
/ with the backing OF Senators Ia Toilette,
/ Cummins Gronna, Borah, Clapp, Jones.
Brstow, Norris and PoindeXter. who
propose 10 discuss executive session de-
bates on the qualifications Of nominees
for public Office whenever they feel that
the public should be informed regarding
them. These Senators were united to-
day in the anti-secrecy campaign. and all
declare themselves without fear of any
attempt being made TO unseat them on
the ground that they are violating the
oath OF office.
Even Senators who adhere 70 the most
strict Interpretation of tho Senate rules
admitted that the Senate could not punish
members who disclose information relat-
ing 10 Presidential appointments, agreeing
that observance Of secrecy was a matter
Of appealing to the individual con
science"
Administration leaders and Republican
Senators who have long cherished the
dignity Of Senate procedure. expressed
the view to-day that no action would be
taken at this session Of Congress at least.
If Senators wish TO make public debate
concerning Presidential nominees, it was
stated they would be privileged 10 do so
without endangering their seats.
Trouble has been brewing for many
months over executive session secrecy,
and an upheaval was threatened recently
during debate on the general arbitration
treaty with Great Britain. In that de-
bate Senators Root and O'Gorman en-
gagged in a wordy controversy over the
purposes Of the Carnegie endowment for
international peace. What the Senators
said on this point was widely published
and in a subsequent executive session a
resolution was introduced by Senator
Kern, the majority leader, directing an
inquiry by the Foreign Relations Com
mittee into the manner in which infor-
nation regarding secret proceedings are
made public. 1t was referred to the
Rules Committee, where II since has re-
posed.
Confirmation of Mr.. Daniels was fol-
lowed to-day by the revelation that Dan
iels asked President Wilson TO withdraw
his name and stop the contest, and that
I Mr. Wilson refused