The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-24
Shall Cabinet omcsrs sis ia Congress

Shall Cabinet ORcers SAT i'm Congress
The interesting paper read by Mr. Perry
Belmont before the Social Science Conven-
ton, on the policy of admitting Cabinet
officers to seats in Congress with the right
to speak on questions relating to their sew
eral departments, will recall public atten-
ton to subject to which much thought has
already been given by the leading public
men OF the country. Mr.. Pendleton twelve
or thirteen years ago advocated bill maxi
ing such a change in our political system,
and the proposition elected at that
time spirited discussion in the press.
The object Of Mr.. Belmont III his
carefully prepared review Of the question
is to show that law to initiate the proposed
policy would neither be in conflict with the
constitution nor in antagonism with the
views and objects Of those by whom the
structure Of our government was framed
He traces each department Of the govern
ment, or each Cabinet Office, to its origin,
and examines it's functions, responsibilities
and practice. His conclusion, based largely
on the law organizing the office OF the
Secretary of the Treasury, is that
while it may be an open question
whether the trainers OF the constitution
intended that a head Of an executive de-
partment should have a right to appear on
the floor of either House OF Congress when
he pleased for the purpose Of participating
in the discussions, or, what is substantially
the same thing, giving information, there
can be no doubt that the law-making power
can prescribe it rs the duty Of nm executive
officer that he shall appear in person on the
floor Of either House, when required SO to
do, for the purpose OF giving information or
participating in discussions respecting
matters appertaining to his Office.
On the question Of the expediency Of such
legislation Mr.. Belmont is evidently Of
opinion that the advantages of the presence
OF members Of the Cabinet in Congress, with
certain restrictions. would counterbalance
the objections advanced by the opponents
of the proposition. He does not believe
that the relative positions or the independ-
ence ofthe executive and legislative branches
of the government would be affected by the
change. he does not lay much stress upon
the English precedent, because in England
the Cabinet is the actual Executive, while
here the Cabinet officers are simply advisers
Of the Executive and are heads Of depart
ments for whose acts the Executive is respon-
sible, but who are largely independent in
the management of their departments No
doubt much undesirable legislation
is due to ignorance or misapprehension on
the part of our Legislators, and might pos
sibly be avoided IL Cabinet Ministers were
present to point out mistakes and correct
erroneous views, which their practical
knowledge would enable them to do. In
our State Legislature the presence of the
Comptroller and other State officers would
doubtless be the means of preventing the
passage of many absurd and improper laws.
But there is much to be said on both sides
of the question, and its discussion in the
intelligent, dispassionate and argumenta-
tive manner in which it is treated by Mr..
Belmont must always be interesting, and
is besides of public utility.