Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-16
Public Consideration
at All Times Possible.

power to at any time consider the
measures in public. but as long as; good
reasons are advanced why the Senate
should remain behind closed doors these
are seldom ignored and the Senate pro-
cedUre is in accordance.
Treaties have been the bases for many
bitter fights, both in open and closed ses-
sions Of the upper house, and 1t is de-
clared the more secret the deliberations
the sharper the criticisms. should there
be occasion for opposition or antagonism
based on political prejudices.
Any treaty after being taken up by
the Senate as a committee OF the whole
is acted upon by articles and senators
are permitted to offer such amendments
as they see fit. During the considera-
ton of these the greatest fights occur
supporters Of the President standing firm
for the original drafts.
Not infrequently the Senate, in the
consideration of general legislation, calls
upon the heads of the various executive
departments for information as to Ger
train subjects, which is transmitted to
the Senate in confidential form, and it is
treated as such.
The one class of business that causes
the Senate to go into executive session
more often than any other is made up
of presidential nominations for positions
in practically all branches Of the gov
eminent The President may name a
man, but it does not always hold that
his selection finally will be confirmed
Upon reception Of nominations from the
President they are referred to appro-
pirate committees.
!. 4
One OF the most peculiar things in
connection with presidential nomina-
tons, which
Many Nominees include post
Protested by Citizens. nrsma COW,
justices. federal judges. marshals, attor-
neys, diplomatic and consular officers
and officials high in the executive branch
protests of varying character which are
received. Not all nominees are fought.
but Senate committees find that three
fifths of those selected for special rec
ognition are subject to protest by citi-
Zens. 1t is the one time when personal
or political enemies of a nominee seem
to take delight in airing their grievances,
By custom the nominees are apprised of
the high crimes and 'misdemeanors''
of which they are accused, but never Is
the name of the accuser revealed Those
nominated are afforded in this manner
means of making replies and thus en-
tirely prejudicial consideration of their
names is frequently avoided COMMITTEES
Investigations of the records of nominees
for diplomatic and judicial posts have
been known to cover periods of many
weeks.
Reference OF presidential selections to
the Senate in executive session by com
mittee, with recommendations, often
brings on serious fights in that body.
Senators here express their views at will.
for they know their remarks concerning
the men in question always are en-
shrouded in secrecy. The votes Of the
senators on various nominations also are
never revealed.
And, even though the American may
object to SECRECY, as such. it Is found
necessary to the successful handling Of
that great p~rtion of federal business
incumbent upon the Senate to approve
as representative OF the legislative
branch of the government