The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-13
Housr OF REparsENrArlvEs, ApalL 20, Is4O

I'd
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 90 1910.
Mr.. EVERETT said On this bill the appro-
pirate subjects for discussion are the economy or
extravaganza of the expenditure of the public
money, and the propriety or improperly Of the
several items OF appropriation. Concerning the
latter have nothing TO say at present; may
have occasion 10 notice some OF them when up
in their order for amendment hope, sir, that
neither you nor the committee will take alarm at
the mere suggestion Of the subject of pertinacity,
at the seeming attempt to divert the attention of
the committee from the wilderness OF debate
hitherto INDUCED. shall take good care, how
ever, TO avoid any abrupt transition. Though | in
tend at last TO approach the subject so gradual
shall be the approach, that you shall hardly know
when come TO it, yet at no time will be very
far from il.
think it not very inappropriate TO notice the
complaints frequently made here and elsewhere
Of the delay Of the public business, from the wide
range of debate on other subjects, and particu-
larly during the consideration Of this appropria-
ton bill. That there has been more irrelevant
debate during the present session than in anv
former session is admitted If il be a fault, will
endeavor to show where the responsibility rests,
to use homely expression, 10 place the saddle
on the right horse.
In my opinion, sir there is not so much of in
dividua blame as has been imagined the evil
if il be an evil, has arisen from want Of the
usual and appropriate occasion for the general
debate on the state of the Union
In former times, the order of debate was pre-
served, because the order of business was pre-
served. In the first years of the Government
the general debate took place on the answer to
the Presidents speech. On this very subject
relating to the state OF the Union, every subject
referred to in the speech was in order II was
the first business of the session. The result
.zn.
sed, and the policy Of the Government settled by
the speech and the answers Of both Houses, and
the legislation was confined carry out the policy
in which the coordinate branches were agreed.
re it should have CHANGED that either branch was
hostile 10 any measure recommended or APP
proved BY the other, it afforded fair warning
not to attempt the measure.
In 1901 the nessdg e took the place the speech,
but there was no substitute for the answer Of
both Houses, and the policy of legislation was
left to be settled on each measure as it came up
Still there was an early occasion for a general
debate. The message was committed to a Com
mittee of the Whole on the state of the Union,
where the debate was as unlimited formerly
on the answer to the Presidents speech.
have sometimes thought that the change from
the speech to the message was gain in favor
Of the Executive manifestly so in of a
difference Of views between him and the House
ing opposed by the answer, was the opinion of
one man against the opinion OF majority Of
the House of Representatives. But the mes
sage opposed by individual speeches, was left
TO individual comparisons, and, while the policy
Of the Government remained unsettled the po-
licy of the Executive alone went to the People.
| have sometimes thought sir, that it would be a
sautary course for both Houses, in some way
without the formaty Of going in body to de-
liver ~ fbntr flrnp nm
every part Of the message, before entering on the
business of legislation.
| Thus sir, for many years, the occasion was
made for full debate on all subjects relating to
the state Of the Union. In Committee of the
| Whole on the state of the Union on the Presi-
dents message was the battle-ground ofparties.
| They went into the debate, armed at all points,
to attack or defend; and, when the battle was
| ended, there was no motive or use for irrelevant
debate. They proceeded, in order, TO the bust
ness of the country.
| II was the uniform course for the Administra-
ton party to take the lead in bringing on the ge-
neral debate. They selected their frstman, a
premier, to move resolutions distributing the
message. The minority never moved first. II
was the first business Of the session. The de-
bate occupied the portion of the session in which
but little business could be done--the interval
between the appointment Of the committees and
their reporting subjects for the action Of Con-
gress. Such was thegenera course, untilwthin
few years past 1t has been undergoing gra-
dual change; the lead has passed into the hands
Of sub-premiers, who have contented them
selves with the honor OF making the usual mo-
ton for the distribution Of the message, and then
retiring to the unveiled lists, leaving the debate
to chance-medley combatants. The general
character Of the debates changed they became
more desultory. There being no opening, on
the part Of the Administration, there was no
great lead to follow; and it followed, Of course,
that debate became more extended and desulto-
nv on the issue Of particular measures Such
was its character at the close Of the last Admi-
nistration. And how has it been since the com
mencement of the present Administration q
The session of September, 1887, was called for
the special purpose ofpassing the Sub Treasury
There was no occasion or desire of the discus
sionof any other subject. AT the two last ses-
sionsthe message was, as usual, committed
we went into committee, but never got out
/ There was a Struggling discussion at intervals
until the pressing business of the sessions en-
crossed the whole time Of the House. At the
Mesent session, no motion has been made &c
this day TO take up the message for considera.
ton. II stands committed TO the Committee oil
the Whole on the state of the Union, where il
win probably sleep till the end Of the session,