Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-04-07
NATIONAL. INTELLIGENCER.
PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS OF CABINET
OFFICERS.

OFFICERS.
On Friday last we briefly adverted to the question
which has been raised in regard to the constitu-
tionality and expediency of admitting members OF
the Cabinet to seats on the floor Of Congress for
the purpose of answering inquiries and participat
ing in discussions apperaining to their respective
Departments 1t formed no part of our purpose
in that brief reference to the terms Of the ques-
ton to discuss its merits in the light of history or
of constitutional law, though we have some ma
tured views on the subject in its several relations
aud aspects should it come up for formal consid-
Grafton and final action in Congress.
We desire at present merely to call the attention
of our readers to the fact, of which we were not
heretofore appri2ed, that by the existing legislation
of the country, the Secretary Of the Treasury may
be called to appear in person in either branch OF
Congress for the purpose Of giving information on
all matters referred to him, |" or which shall apper-
tain TO his Office" The authority under this head
is general, being restricted only by the nature of
the duties pertaining to his Department. BY vir-
tine of this legislation, Mr.. Secretary Chase may
he called at any time, if Congress should desire,
to appear in person and deliver his views on any
Question which egitmately belongs to his functions
as the Head of the Treasury Department. The
,eoislation to this effect is old, it seems the
original establishment Of the Treasury Department,
having been passed by the first Congress assembled
,nder the present Constitution of the United States
This feature of the "act to establish the Treasury
Department" approved September 2, 1889, (sce !
Statutes at Large, p. 66,) has been brought to our
notice in the following communication proceeding
from the pen Of an eminent jurist whose name
and whose right to speak with authority in the in
,ernretaton Of our statute laws will be recognised
~ averv reader from the initials under which
he writes. As he well suggests, this early pre-
oedent il conclusive as to the power OF congress,
nnder the Constitution, Gas that instrument was
;nterpreted by the men who were contemporary
with its adoption and many OF yhem participated
IN i. formation to enact law authorizing the
members Of the several Executive Departments to
appear in person for the purpose of answering IN
Congress all inquiries and participating in all dis
cu.sions relating to their respective functions
And if they may do this by special direction OF
Congress made in specific cases, they may be au-
thorzed to do it BY general act ACCORDING 70 them
. seat in Congress for the purpose indicated.
The communication of our correspondent Is as
follows:
psrmt me TO suggest that the question Of the consu
tonsty Of the Secretaries of Departments participating
ey,opay in the debates of Congress Is determined by the
trainers of the Constitution at least in 30 far as one OF the
acts of the first Congress- OF which they were the direct
ing members can go to determine such question
The act to establish the Treasury Department passed
September I'd, 1885, provides among other things that
II sbs be the duty OF the Secretary of the Treasury
In make report and give information TO sher branch OF
the Legislature PERSON or in writing as ne may be
REQUIRED respecting all matters referred 10 him by the Be-
nate or Honse of Representatives. or rcieh shall aPpe~
tain to his Office
You perceive how pregnant Oh meaning ano suggestive
IL the language OF the act
WHEN REQUIRED the Secretary OF the Treasury 10 to
before either House of Congress and give nfora
ton in person. distinguished from information IN writ
inc touching not only any matter specially referred to
him, but in general any matter Witnn tne ues oho ano
lions of his Department
To give information person s to speak IN word to
debate with limitation of IN respect OF pertnency
10 the subject matter, as all debate should De limited
Tins IL ia manifet that by existing law the Secretary OF
the Treasury may be called upon to enter the hall OF
her House of Congress and there to debate any question
If the suppes ways and MEANS and expenditures OF the
Government. !, e..
on nec;6c call 40 act he might be required author
ired TO do this according to general provson contempa
inc his regular attendance and participation In the
financial questions pending before either House Of Con-
gress.
ally do ths in virtue Of act Of Congress- so may the
eecrsry of State of War Of the Navy OF the INTERIOR
the Attorney General, and the Postmaster General.
Such let me add is the actual practice, not OF Great
Britain only but of most If not all the continental Gov
ernmens whether Of Europe or America, except these
Tinted States and this with effects Of admitted advantage
Covernment. &C.