I dont think you need to short them.. it states the monitor comes with an "optional" push button you can install or leave it.. though I could be wrong, so I'm not sure!
One of my MTC 9000 models has the 2nd connector blank, no wire shorting it - I dont know if it auto degausses or not, but there isnt any discoloration or anything. The other one is one of the "unpublished" ones - no push button option on there, though the degaussing coil is cut anyway