Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1880-12-30

CABINET MEMBERS IN CONGRESS.
From the fact that General Garfield has
been one of the strongest supporters of the
proposition to give Cabinet members
seats in Congress it is, thought proba-
BILE that he viii use his influence as
President in the same direction and that the
plan will succeed It is nearly sixteen years
since Mr.. Pendleton offered a motion to
make this change and General Garfield spoke
earnestly in favor of it. At that time there
was special reason for the proposed action.
| It was in the winter of 1865, and the House
had been trying for weeks to get a report
| from the War department as to the state of
| the army and the measures deemed essential
for the national defence eve have been
working in the dark, said General Garfield,
sand it is only as we have reconnoitered the
War department and forced ourselves in side
ways and edgeways that we have been able to
learn" what it was the right and the bust
ness of Congress to know. To the objection
| that such a measure would aggrandize the
executive authority General Garfield said
To me it is one objection to this plan that
| it may have exactly the opposite effect. 1
believe, Mr.. Speaker, that the fame of Jeffer-
son is waning, and the fame of Hamilton is
waxing, in the estimation of the American
people, and that we are gravitating toward a
stronger government. / am glad of it, and
I hope the effect of this measure will cause
| the heads of departments to become so thor
oughly acquainted with the details of their
Office as to compensate for the restrictions
| imposed upon them Who does not know
| that the enactment of this law will tend to
bring our ablest men to the Cabinet? Who
does not know that if man is to be respon-
sl5le for his executive acts, and also be able
| to tell why he proposes new measures, and
| to comprehend intelligently the whole scope
of his duties, weak men will shrink from
| taking such places? Who does not know that
| it will call out the best talent of the land,
both executive and parliamentary?
Mr.. Cox, in the course of the debate. had
| drawn ridiculous picture of what he con-
| ceived might be the result if Cabinet minis
| ters were ever required to attend the sessions
of the House. To this General Garfield re-
piled:
Instead of that unworthy and unmanly ex-
hlbition, would see the executive heads of
| the government giving information and con-
| sulting with the representatives of the people
in an open and undisguised manner. Sir, the
danger to American liberty is not from open
contact with departments, but from that un-
| seen, intangible influence which characteriZes
courts, crowns and cabinets. Who does not
know, and who does not feel, how complete
| ly the reasons of member may be stultiied
| by some one getting up and reading dictum
! of some head of department that he thinks
| a measure is good or bad, wise or unwise ? 1
want that head of department to tell me why;
I want him to appeal to my reason, and not
lecture me ec c0thedrG, and expect me to fol-
low his lead just because he leads 1t is the
| silent, secret influence that saps and under
mines the fabric of republics, and not the ar
ray of facts, the collision of intellects, the
1 open appeal.
AS the New York Herald has pointed out,
the change would be a much more radical
one than is generally supposed. 1t would
affect the power of the President, give the
Cabinet officers an Independent position in
the country and largely strengthen the Senate
and House. But it seems, on the whole, to be
in the direction of sound policy and much
needed step towards more intelligent 1egisla-
/ fion.