Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-03-18
CONFEDERATE CONGRESS.

NSNr GDChA1G CONUnCOS. =
An interesting debate took place id the Senate,
on Wednesday last on the question Of admitting
members Of the Cabinet to 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 biras amended by the Ju-
dietary Committee: -;
That the principal officer in each of the execu-
tive departments of the Confederate Government
shall be entitled to seat upon the floor of the SEN
ate subject to such rules as now exist may here-
after be adopted BY the Senate with the privilege
o. discussing any measures appertaining to bis de-
partment" -
Mr.. Sparrow moved 10 amend by inserting after
the Senate 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
ures appertaning 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 we'll in
England. That that was no argument why the Gus
tom should he adopted here, Mr.. Clark undertook
to show, from the difference in the institutions of
the two countries. lie would not have 1t 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 blk The
disadvantages of admitting the minister to par:ici
pate the debates had been seen in the Provisional
Congress. Scarcely single measure then ad, oca
ted by either Of the ministers had been defease;I-
The measure would endanger the independence of
Congress.
MIR. Wigfa said the words proposed to be- strick.
en- out by the amendment of Mr. HAYNES were a
transcript CT the language of the Constitution II
the amendment were adopted it woul! amount TO
destruction Of the bill lie had introduced the DILL
because he believed that the ministers being pres ent
al. l.
on questions pertaining to the respective dep.rt-
ments which would facilitate wise Legislation nd
that the ministers themselves would also receive
many edifying suggestions. From interchan &c
oil o2ln,ons the Government! would be made more
efficient If the bill should pass, and the ministers
will take their seats in Congress, We would have
more inefficient men in either of the Offices No
man would be appointed by the President vino
could not comprehend and understand the policy
and views Of the Executive. Ministers would there
after be men of q 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 relinqushed on
account Of its inconvenience, and he had no doubt
should the bill pass that ministers would absent
themselves upon the ground that the press of bust
ness in their department would not allow them time
to be present during the session Of Congress. He
however hoped the bill would pass; that ministers
would not excuse themselves from attending. Much
legislation would not have been omitted if means
Of information had been at hand, such as would
be afforded by the presence in Congress Of the min
listers.
Mr. Yancey thought the measure bad. 1t had
worked badly under the Provisional Government.
AS an evidence, greater number of measures pass
ed by that Congress had been vetoed by the Presi.
dent than during the whole period of the Permanent
Government If the bill passed, it would seriously
affect the Independence Of the Senate Already, ON
account Of the war the executive influence was I'm.
duly great All who bad thought deeply on The
subject told that in the time of war 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 mouth of the
people and officers were closed because, it was
said it were better TO pass them over 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 lie himself had
from this motive suppressed circumstances which, !
during times of peace, he would have pressed with
whatever ability ne possessed
He agreed with the. Senator from Texas, mr.
WigfaD that the measure would have,,he effect Of
bringing into the Cabinet men Of great ability
Great dialcccians and cunning at intellectual
y, "o 49, w Ga.oss ,I,a rrsns NJ Tho Execn.
larry h us'cror ,bsss ' men wero ths
i've anu .ne t,l'J aarar.ana ovsr sons,o-s
1t was very dangerous bill, ano ought to be re-
jectea
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:: ~, n "Au T.r,..ors hoa nrorad i. fa;j,r,
IN the prev'scna congress RESI-, naa psose as a,,u
ana eite s US Ill s pit G"nEoss th.n undar th
upon bills passed oy eaas congress .ham aha'r ias
G"ncra ~ Of hut
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