Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-03-17
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.

on Wednesday last on the question of admitting
members of the Cabinet to a seat an the floor OF
Congress. 1t will be seen that the proposition to
admit them was defeated by decided majority.
The following is the bill as amended by the Ju'
dietary Committee: -.r.
That the principal officer in each of the pxecu-
tive departments of the Confederate Government
shall be entitled to seat upon the foor ofthe Sen
ate subject to such rules as now exist orInay here
after be adopted by the Senate, with the privilege
o. discussing any measures appertaining to his de-
partment"
Mr.. Sparrow moved to amend by inserting after
the Senste.when first occurring, the words during
the present Congress-"
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. Haynes moved to- amend. by striking out the
words with the privilege of discussing any meas
appertaining to his department"
Mr.. Clark, of Missouri, spoke against the bill. 1t
had been asserted that the admission of ministers to
participate in legislative debate had worked well in
England. That that was no argument why the Gus
tom should be adopted here, Mr.. Clark undertook
to show, from the difference in the institutions Of
the two countries. He would not have it under
stood that in opposing the bill he did So through
auy i'll feeling towards either the President or either
of the Secretaries Such was not the case.
Mr.. Oldham, of Texas, opposed the bill. The
disadvantages of admitting the minister to partici
pate in the debates had been in the Provisional
Congress Scarcely single measure then advOca
The measure would endanger the independence of
Congress.
Mr.. Wigfal said the words proposed to he strick-
en- out by the amendment of Mr.. Haynes were
transcript of the language Of the Constitution. If
the amendment were adopted it would amount to
destruction Of the bill lie had introduced the bill
because he believed that the minister's being present
IN Congress, could make many valuable suggestions
on questions pertaining to the respective depart
mentS which would facilitate wise legislation, and
that the ministers themselves would also receive
many edifying suggestions. From An interchange
of opinions the Government would be made more
efficient If the bill should pass and the ministers
will take their seats in Congress, we wOuldhave no
more inefficient men in either of the offices. No
man would be appointed by the President who
could not comprehend and understand the policy
and views of the Executive. Ministers would there
after be men OF a high grade of ability
Mr.. Orr said that IN the times of Washington the
Presidents Messages were delivered in person, and
he frequently took his cabinet ministers into Con-
gress with him. The practice was reiuquiSicd on
account of its inconvenience, and he had no doubt
should the bill pass, that ministers would abs .
themselves upon the ground that the press OF btsf'
ness in their department would not allow them time
to be present during the session of Congress. lie
however hoped the bill would pass; that ministers
would not excuse themselves from attending. Much
legislation would not have been omitted if means
be afforded by the presence in Congress of the min
listers.
Mr.. Yancey thought the measure bad. Ii had
worked badly under the Provisional Government
As an evidence, greater number of measures pass
ed by that Congress had been vetoed by the Pres
dent than during the whole period of the Permanent
Government Ii the bill passed, it would seriously
affect the independence Of the Senate. Already on
account of the war the executive influence un-
duly great All who had thought deeply on lie
subject told that in the time Of the power of
the executive would predominant. Though our
Legislature was designed by the Constitution to be
supreme, it in reality was at present subordinate to
the executive The views Of Congress had received
VIOLENCE from the construction put upon laws by
the officers OF the Government. The mONth Of the
people and officers were closed because, as it was
sad it were better to pass them in silence than
to let them be known to the enemy. Every Sena-
tors mouth had been closed by fear of creating dis
content against the Government He himself had
from this motive suppressed circumstances which,
during times of peace, he would have pressed with
whatever ability he possessed.
He agreed with the Senator from Texas, Mr.
WigalD that the measure would have the effect of
bringing into the Cabinet men Of great ability
Great dalectcians and men cunning at intellectual
fence would be put into those offices to enable them
to carry through Congress the plans of the Execu-
tive and the more superior these men were the
greater would be their advantage over Senator's
1t was very dangerous bill, ana ought to be re-
jected
Mr. Orr, of South Carolipa, said the Senator from
Alabama had said that experience of this measure
in the Provisional Congress had proved failure,
and cited US an example that more vetoes were put
upon bills passed by that Congress than under the
Government. 1t should be borne in mind
that the provisional Congress. consisted of but one
House. There was no Senate, -as at present, and .
this, no doubt, would account for. the number of
1 H. i L. L II
proper to Veto. The Senator (Mr, YAlcey) had eX-
pressed the apprehension that cabinet ministers
would overwhcim the Senate by. the force of their
intellect He had no such fears.
Mr.. Yancey explained that he did not allude to
the present cabinet, but to men who might be in
stalled in future.
Mr.. Orr thought a Secretary could make more
ingenious defence to questions put to him, or accu-
Sattons made against him, in his office, surrounded
by all his notes and papers, than when called to ac-
COUNT on the floor of the Senate. He would like to
have the Secretary there in the Senate chamber to de-
nand of him why he had dared to disregard the viii
Of the Senate in such or such matter 1t would
nave most Salutary influence to have him there.
Ind look right into his eye while putting these in
Mr.. Hill thought the measure had worked we'll in
he Provisional Congress- He had there seen in
otmation obtained in fifteen minutes which could
not be obtained in this Congress in MONTH
Mr.. Haynes said he had offered the amendment
% test the question whether the bill would pass
lie called the question.
The ares and noes were demanded on the oues-
ion.
Mr.. johnson, of Arkansas, spoke at length in op-
position to the bill
The question being taken, Mr.. Haynes amend
nent was agreed to by the following votes.
Yeas-Messrs. Brown, Caperton, Clark, Davis,
Dortch Hayes, Henry, johnson, of Arkansas, Nit
hell, Oldham, Peyton Semmes, Sparrow and Yam
,ey, IA.
,Nays-Messrs Barnwell, Barnett, Clay, Hill
Hunter, Maxwell, Orr and Phelan, g.
Mr.. Sparrow said. that as the adoption of the
had virtually defeated the bill, he would
move to postpone the subject indefinitely. The
notion was agreed to. /