Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-24

have claimed the attention of that body. Not
until such time can the convention act in
telligently and avoid falling into a pit of
their own digging. ..,
Il RESPONSIBLE MINISTRY,
There is good deal of talk all over the
country as to the future of this govern ment
whether it will resolve itself into a mon
arohy or retain its present form. There is
no question whatever but what there is g
strong movement on foot having for it's pur-
pose the overthrow of the republic and the
establishment in it's stead of a monarchy,
with Grant as the potentate. We believe
this movement will be defeated, but if the
facts of its existence and power are demon
strated by Grants nomination, other ques-
lions will be suggested which will have to be
referred to tho people or their representa-
tives for decision. .s
1t is manifest that under our present con-
stitution monarchy, either IN esse or IN
posse, cannot subsist. There will have to be
revolution of our laws and of our theory of
government. If that revolution is effected
by the dictum of him who is called to pre-
side over the nation, it will in all probability
be ill. But whether there is to be change in
the form of our government or not, there is
one question that ought to be carefully con-
sidered by every thinking man-the advisa-
bility of having responsible ministry. The
English government is in some respects
more republican than our own. The consti-
tuition of that country provides an easy
method for change of government. The
king Or queen has merely nominal power
are mere fgureheads. The parliament is the
real source of all power. TO be sure the
veto power in the hands of tho sovereign of
Great Britain is absolute, but during the
reign of Queen Victoria, period of over
forty years, it has not been exercised.
Yet in that time the government has been
changed score of times. To-day 1t might
be whig government; tomorrow tory.
Last week it might have been liberal and
this week conservative. The facility with
which the government is changed is strong
recommendation in it's favor, and suggests
how our government can be made to more
fully represent the wishes Of the people, the
source of ell power.
In Great Britain tho cabinet decides all
questions of national import. If it is de-
feated in parliament by a vote of want of
confidence. it is bound to resign and appeal
to the people. If sustained, it can resume
tho fnnrfionu ~ poyopnrooo& h,A e s.e..x
ed, abdication is compulsory, and q cabinet
is formed conforming to the expressed wish
es of the people. This gives the people q
direct control of the government
them the privilege Of change at any date or
the privilege Of retaining the administrators
of their government-the cabinet-indefi
nitely. ri ,a..-s.
Some such system, We believe, would be
productive of good in this country. We
would suggest that all laws passed by Con-
gress should be submitted to tho President
and his cabinet. If they disapproved Of
any specific act, the veto should be sent to
Congress, hut if overruled by that body the
cabinet should be compelled to resign, and
the President obliged to appoint another
body of counsellors in agreement with the
opinions of Congress. This would be in
fact republic. AS it is We have q limited
monarchy. During tho four years of q
Presidential term the President and his
ministers may be working at cross purposes
with Congress, and the people be
outraged almost every day BY the
execution of laws that are repuensnt
to them but which arc at the same time
favorable to the wishes of the President and
his advisers. The redress of the people
often comes too late, and great mischief is
done by tho execution of laws that ought
never to have been enacted. ~ -
Irresponsible ministry would obviate many
difficulties that now beset tho people. If it
was possible to change the complexion of our
government-p resuming that the ministry
in conjunction with the President is tho gov
erning power-the notifications of the En-
glisA system already suggested would, we
think, prove satisfactory by giving the PEG.
pie, through their representatives, the OPP
portunity of changing the policy of the gov
eminent just as often as they saw fit. The
subject, at any rate, is worthy of considera-
ton. It has worked we'll elsewhere. and it
may work we'll here. Perhaps its merits
may suggest that it have trial.
a..s.'H