Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-02-08
GOLD HILL, NEVADA:
Eveuinz,--.E February $, 1855.
oARINET MINISTERS ON THE
FLOOR OF CONGRESS.

The vast Importance of those interests
the management of which is con6ded to
the Executive Department of the nation
has excited species of jealousy In Con-
gress, and it has been proposed that the
various cabinet ministers should be invited
to the floor of the capitol and convey, di-
rectly to Congress, information as to their
official acts, intentions, etc., in the British
style. Accordingly, at the first session OF
the present Congress, committee was ap-
pointed to enquire whether there was any
constitutional impeachment to the admis-
sion of members Of the Cabinet to seats on
the floor of the House. The committee
have Just made their report. They hold
that "the right of each House to admit
persons and members on its floor, and to
allew them to debate any measure which
may be pending, is too clear for argument.
1t belongs" they say, necessarily to the
House. 1t is expressly guaranteed by
that clause of the Constitution which pro-
vides that each House may determine the
rules of its proceedings 1t is exercised
at every session, when by resolution a
contestant is allowed the privilege of the
floor, and the right TO debate the question
involved in the contest. 1t is exercised
whenever action is had under the provis-
ions of the general law of 1918, to the
effect that delegates from Territories shall
have seat, with right to speak, but not
to vote. The provision of the law of 1918
is that the Secretary of the Treasury shall
make report, and give information to
either branch Of Congress, either IN person
or IN ,criting, as may be required. At the
passage of said act, the power of the Sec
rotary to speak was unquestioned, and has
not been questioned since" In view of
these facts, the Committee report in favor
of allowing members of the Cabinet, at all
times, seats on the floor of the House,
with the right to participate in debate
upon all matters relating to their respect
i've Departments, and at the same time
making it the duty of these officers to at
tend the House at the opening of its sit
tings on two days of each week, to give
information in reply to such questions as
may be propounded to them. The argu-
ments which the Committee advance in
support of the position which they take,
are cogent and convincing. They say it
is the duty of Congress to avail itself OF
the best possible means of information in
relation to the measures of legislation;
that the influence of the Executive De-
partment upon legislation should be open,
declared, and authorized, rather than Sc
cret, concealed, and unauthorized; that
there is now no regular authorized direct
communication between the Cabinet Of
6cers and Congress, except as accompany
ing the message of the President. The
reports of Secretaries are made to him fol
his information, which he must communi-
cate to Congress in whole or in part, as he
sees fit. They are necessary to Congress,
but are not sufficiently satisfactory, and
need to be eked out by further informa-
tion." Whether the British style in dis
missing the ministry when it should be
condemned by vote of Congress, and a
new one appointed of like views with
Congress, is proposed to be adopted, is not
stated