The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-23

which makes tho Treasury Department sxcsp-
ton TO The general rules That instrument
originate In the House of Representatives" Under
the British system II Is tho Executive which askA
lament can either give refuse. but Il cannoe
modify. Under our constitutional system only the
sent a bin for raising revenue.n Tbs provision or
the constitution Affords special reason why the
thoriiy To compel the head OF the Treasury Depart.
mont 10 deliver up IRON time TO time whatever infor.
nation may be in tho possession Of the department
COURTESY To CABINET oPYIcEKs.
After stating his views concerning the expedsncy
OF bringing tho cabinet advisers into direct contacs
with thu LEGISLATURE Mr. Belmont asked whether the
pubic service would really gain anything by expos
ing head OF department to DO pes,ered and badg-
members Of either House even i II PROJECTED
by the most careful aud conservative rules
ana regulations. Is there enough OF deiorenco
pcrvading Transactions OF our public business
Washington 10 mako such system successfully
When ine heads Of departments have gone before
Congressional committees they have been received
with tho utmost Official couytcsy even by members
politically hostile 70 them sn. and may not com.
capable Of preserving It's Official dgnity2 In every
successfully administered representative and lcgis.
latvo or parliamentary body l take IL 10 be con-
ceded that the best part OF legislative work must
In order 10 DO done well, be transacted in the
the evil to be remedied DO carefully ascer-
tanned there, and only there can careful and crti-
lation prepared which shall thoroughly and prudontiy
remedy any exsting evil Before such small as
tion without restraint and In that converse iional
way which permits freedom.
PROPOSED CHANGE.
In closing his Interesting discourse Mr.. belmont dc.
clared the change he proposed would involve only
deviation uud not new systems OF government. IL
would introcu practice which might COM
bino tue executive and legislative departments In
that harmonious sympathy, most desirable IN tho
Shaping and directing OF measures for the public
welfare. The power 10 call the head OF a departments
before com mitJec, To subpoena him and put him
der oath would remain as before, only these
violent measures would not be rcsorcd to- excepting
had exhausted. Form uated into bill, tina
change wouli run somewhat thus
BE ~ enacted by the Senate and House OF Represents
ves &c That the Secretary OF state. the Secretary
Navy the Secretary OF the the Attorney General
and tho Postmaster General shall be entitled occupy
cussing apprrtainng TO their departments
under such rules ~ may 20 prescribed
Postmaster General, sessions tho
and OF tho House of Representatives, Immediately
in reply to questions under tho rules
THIS would secure 10 tho Secretaries the right TO
take part IN discussions reatng to their respective
mcnts ami, ut stated times, require mem 10
attend; and. that limits might be placed upon the
right Of inquiry. tho rules OF tho two houses might
be amended IN the manner proposed by the select
committee. OF which air. PcndIeton. OF Ohio, was
chairman IN 1864 Those amendmanIs
intended Tor the House OF Representative
ouly. but could DO mado 10 Apply Tho
Senate 5 vol, that the Clerk OF the senate aud
OF the House OF Representatives, shall keep notice
books in winch they shall enter, on the request OF
any member, any resolution requiring Information
from OF tho executive departments, or any ques-
ton Intended 10 DO propounded TO any member OF the
Cabinet
MR.. PEypLEToN coScURs
This address MAS followed oy discussion, IN which
George III. Pendiston OF Ohio, rcafirmcd his belief
In tho advantages OF tne proposed change.