National Republican., 1877-09-25
MEMBERS OF CABINET IN CON.
GRESS.

II has been quite frequently proposed to
give the members of the Cabinet seats in
the House of Representatives TO enable
them to participate in the debates of that
body and defend the measures of the Ad-
ministration on that floor. We are not
sure that the public interests would be in
any way promoted by adding to the force
Of speakers in the House. Too much at
tention is already given to talk there in
proportion to the work accomplished, and
we fear that this evil would only he aggrn-
vated by transferring the omtorical re-
sources Of the entire Cabinet into that body.
1t is well enough, however, to hear what
can be said in favor of the proposition. A
paper on the question of resumption, which
was read by Mr.. BRADFORD, of Boston at
the recent Social Science Congress- contains
= strong argument in favor of the policy
Of giving the members of the Cabinet seats
In the House. He thinks, for example
that the Secretary Of the Treasury ought
to be put where he may be compelled to
explain his financial plans rs the Chancellor
Of the ENchcquer is required to do in the
British Parliament. Mr.. BRADFORD further
says:
Our Secretary Of the Treasury should and must
have II scat In cnngrcss-of course without vote
and he open To question from both sides nf the
House. In place ur u chaos Of proposals thrown
INTO secret committees ANA kept there during the
session, leaving Congress idle and the country
ignOrnnt. with final report rushed through at the
end Of the session. without discussion and regard
less Of the wishes Of the ENCcutvc--inslCnd ofths
would be the duty Of the Secretary at the com
menccmCnt OF the session to prepare definite
scheme for the conduct Of the finances for the
ensuing year Discussion would then turn upon
that nnd nothing else; It would he puiliC instead
OF secret; tie responsible Secretary would take
part in H. and there would he final decision
either to do something or nothing 50 that the
country would know whRt to depend upon. oh.
serve further, that during the the Secretary
would feel that his every action would be omen to
OgindiNiduh question, which could not be rvRdrd
il II Objected that we have no man competent
W such work But TINT is CXnctly the way IN
hnd one. We all know how. during the war. one
general PftCT another wa, trusted with full power
and res sponsibiity. AMI then thrown aside for in.
We found one who did meet the hnnl test Of success
True, this wns done ut enormous cost, hut II was
the only way To do II, Gul Il was done " ith mn r.
fectiyen"ss and comparative rnpdity which aston
khcd the world We shall have 10 take the same
roal IN finance. IfOne Secretary cannot commend
way for another and by this stern process Of scCr.
uon the mGu will fnally come. Public debate in
Congress h the only field IN which the test can he
applied. And this COurr + best for all parties II
The sober Rnl deliberate SUSp Of the country, after
null discussion j. IN favor uc initiation. then lot us
have initiation tn the bitter cud, and get through
with Il amer the old French fashion. and then the
next generation may come tn is sCusUs. If on the
other hand, rs ! hllly believe the majority UEly
want what Is wisCst and best then though they
may not agree TO support theory. they may agree
to support n man, hut this universal wrnns Cling Is
cart, with the result that neither side makes any
proyrIss.