Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-01-22
CABINET MINISTERS ON TIE FLOOR
OF CONGRESS-.


The proposition to give the members Of
the Presidents Cabinet seats in the House of
Representatives is an illustration Of that
restless spirit of innovation now abroad in
the land. It is both anti-republican and
unconstitutional. It springs from a banker
ing after British precedents and customs.
There is no possible analogy between the
British government and that of the United
States in this regard. There the Ministry
are recognized by the Constitution, as part
of the government, and are held responsible
for its acts. The King can do no wrong is
the maxim, but the Ministry can. The Ministry
must have majority in the House OF Com
MONS So soon as they are in a minority,
they are compelled to resign or have parlla-
ment prorogued, and should the new election
not result in the return of a majority for the
government, the ministry are compelled to
go out n0lens p0le11s.
There is nothing of this kind in the United
States. The Cabinet Council of the Presl-
dent is unknown to the Constitution. There
is not word about Secretaries of State, of
oOAA=
stitution. Indeed, in the formation of the
Constitution, the plan was bitterly opposed
as a step towards plural execu-
tive. De Solme, whom Junius pronounced
writer deep, solid and ingenious, said that
"the exclusive power is more easily confined
when it is ONE 2 in other words, that it is far
more safe there should be a single object for
the jealousy and watchfulness Of the people;
in word, that all multiplication of the ex-
ecutive is rather dangerous than friendly to
liberty. The decemvAs Of Rome were more
to be dreaded in their usurpation than any
ONE of them would have been.
The Cabinet have no responsibility, and
the House OF Representatives could not COM
pei them to resign. Besides all this, the pro-
posed innovation strikes blow at the
organic structure of the Government. We
want the old landmarks to remain. Every
change is move out beyond the pillars Of
Hercules on the unknown ocean of uncer-
tainty. The plan would involve the first
step towards a blending of the Executive and
| the Legislative We want none Of that des-
potic doctrine here The whole machinery
Of an Executive Council was borrowed from
the State constitutions, and originally from
full whether the plan was the best that could
be adopted, but it grew out of jealousy Of
the Executive power as proposed in the con
stitution. Alexander Hamilton says, in
speaking of the opposition to the organiza
ton of the Executive Department as then
proposed, thus concludes the objections:
':He (the President) has been decorated with
attributes superior in dignity and splendor tc
those Of the King of Great Britain. He has
been shown to us with the diadem sparkling or
his brow, and the imperial purple flowing il
his train. He has been seated on throne sur
rounded with minions and mistresses; giving
audience to the ENJOYS of foreign potentates II
all the supercilious pomp of majesty. The
images of Asiatic despotism and voluptuous
ness have not been wanting to crown the exag
gerated scene. We have been taught to tremblt
at the terrific usages Of numbering janizzaries
and to blush at the unveiled mysteries Of a flu
ture seraglio.'
This, with a few omissions and susbtitu
tons is a graphic picture Of what might hav'
been expected under the Third Term of Cea
sarism, under the obtuse and brainless Grant
No, the Executive has already enough in
fuence on the Legislature.
This is no time for structural changes il
our organic system. The government ha
enough of other things to do. Let the coun
try and people be relieved of starvation, tn
finances settled, the Indian frauds aud out
RACES removed, the citizens everywhere pro
tected from the Rio Grande to Manitoba
lazy and ignorant office-holders turned out
and men of education, brains and compel
ency put in their place, the whole countr.
harmonized and pacifed, and prosperity re
stored. This is the grand work Of tn
present.