Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-03-31
THURSDAY, MARCH 81, 1864.
PARLIAMENTARY RELATIONS OF CABINET
OFFICERS.

1t is known to our readers that some discussion
has recently arisen in Congress and in the public
press with regard to the expediency of admitting
the Secretaries of the several Executive Depart
ments to seats on the floor of Congress, not with
the right of voting, or even of engaging in the
general debates Of either body, but of answering
inquiries and partsking in discussions relating to
the business with which they specially charged
in their respective spheres. The Confederate
States we need not say have adopted this policy in
the scheme Of government regulated by their con-
stitution, which contains clause expressly grant
ing this privilege to the Heads of Executive De-
pariments.
1t has been suggested that the feature in ques-
ton cannot be engrafted on our parliamentary in
stitu,ions without an amendment to CUR Constitu-
ton, as in the case of the so-called Confederate
States A writer in the New York Times takes
this view when he says:
81 agree with you the advantages to be derived
from Cabinet officers having seats in the House Of Repre-
sentatives Of Congress. But this be pshed
except BY amendment Of the Constitution That de-
cHres the House of Representatives shat be eomposd
OF members chosen every second the people the
severed states Now what right has Congress to com
pose the House OF Representatives differently What
right has to confer the privileges Of members upon those
not chosen by the Peopte9
"rhe Constitution provides likewise, that no person
holding any Office under the United States shall be mem
Der of either House.
would it be evasion Of the letter and spirit Of
the Constitution to admit to the privileges OF membership
in the House OF Representatives the highest civil function
aries Of the Government
know 1t is not proposed to allow the members Of the
Cabinet the right to 0oe members of the House of Re-
representatives. In my estimation the denial Of that priv
leRe would be of little consequence Their presence would
influence many votes aud that influence the Constitution
designed to prohibit"
To these considerations and objections the editor
Of the Times makes reply as follows
"There is not the slightest evidence that the Constu
ton des gned 10 prohibit any such thing On the conra-
~ it makes 1t not only the privilege but the duty of the
President to try to Influence Congress; for Says He
shall not may from time to time give to the Congress in
formation OF the state the Union and recommend to
their consideration such measures he shall judge
sary and expedent He do that in writing or orally
just he peases and in the early days of the Republic
1t the custom for him to do personally If Con
stuioD allows him to do this in person, it is violation
either OF the letter or OF the spirit of the Constitution for
him TO give that information through his Secretaries in
their person 1t would BIO simply realizing more fully that
constitutional idea for the Secretaries if they worthy
OF their place. far better acquainted with the details
than he possibly be- and make that inform ton far
complete. The end which the Constitution aims TO
secure for Congress is the information from the Execu
tive. The more effective the Of mpartna that in
formation, the better ia the Constitution fulfilled
"Surely it is as much in the power Of Congress to ad
init the Secretaries to seats in the House s admit
Dele gates from the Territories The Delegates not
members, because they have not been chosen the Con-
sttuton requires by The people of State. They cannot
vote yet they have been given the right to speak any
question before the House. We don't ask even as much
as that for the Secretaries Let their right to speak be
limited thought proper to questions affecting their
respective departments We do not believe that they
ought to minge in general debate The prime point s
that the head Of department sha be present when notice
has been given that topic will be discussed which relates
to his sphere Of duty shall present his views and facts
and sha be subect to close Interpolation the pub
lie advantage demand Were this done, it is done
in the English Parliament, with few notifications the
Executive would be held to much stricer accountability
and the debates in Congress would be far enghen
ed and ts conclusions far wiser aud safer in respect
all the material interests of the Government than they
ever have been, be- under the present system"