Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-04
Facts About the Cabinet.


The Presidents Cabinet does not exist by
virtue OF any law. 1t has become one OF the
Institutions OF our government through usage.
Tie heads OF the several executive departments
were created by law Oh Congress, and Washing
ton established the custom of calling them into
council with himself upon the affairs OF govern
ment The heads of these departments. as ad
yisors OF the President were called Cabinet.
Nashington's Cabinet consisted OF but three
memberS-the secretary OF State, Thomas JEFF
ferson> the Secretary of Treasury, alexander
Hamilton], and the Secretary OF War, (TImothy
Pickerlng). In 1898, when John Adams was
PRESIDENT, the Navy department was created
AID the Secretary Of that department became
memoer zee OF the Cabinet. Under Jackson the
This made five members, and the Cabinet re-
manned at that number until Tyler became
President, when the Attorney General was
mace N De tne nead OF department and member
OF the Cabinet. In 1s49 the Department OF the
Interior was created, and the head OF it added
TO the Cabinet Since that time there has been
no addition, but for several years past the ques.
t1on OF raising the head OF the agricultural de-
partment has been agitated, and Is urged gen.
orally by the agricultural interests. Should this
movement succeed, 1t is quite likely that COM
mercial department will be created and It's head
put into the Cabinet. Senator Pendleton has
bill pending In Congress to give Cabinet Off
GERS seats Id Congress, but without the right to
vote The Idea being that they can assist legisla-
ton by explaining matters connected with the
executive depart DentS. The Cabinet shapes the
policy OF the administration, or rather is gem
orally supposed to do SO.
England to that portion of the privy cOunci
which had the special confidence Of the King
and, with whom he held secret councils in his
private apartment called his cabinet The mis-
using the term administration anonymously
with cabinet in writing or speaking OF British
affairs, In the British government, the term
administration is broader than that OF cabinet
and includes all the principal officers OF state,
some 80 or 60 In number. The number OF the
British cabinet, is not definitely fixed, but there
are certain high officers OF government who.
are invariably called to seats in it.
The cabinet is the head and directing body or
the British administration. and it meets upon
call, but the Premier. on any occasion, may
summon only those members he wishes to con-
suit with. All the meetings are secret, the
members, in fact. being sworn to secrecy,
retirement from office. II an irreconcilable
difference arises between the Premier and one
or more members OF his cabinet he can insist
upon the retirement OF those members from
once. Important public measures are matured
and important appointments agreed upon in
the cabinet, but these agreements have to be
SUBMITTED a MT 10 the Sovereign for approval. The
aoMiS,raon ms1np st can exist only 50 long as it
The rejection by the House of an important
ministerial measure or the passage Of a vote
OF want OF confidence calls for the resignation
OF the ministry unless the administration
dicides to take the responsibility Of dissolving
Parliament and calling upon the country to
sustain the government In new election.
Members OF the English cabinet have seats in
Parliament. The idea OF our cabinet was, no
doubt, suggested to Washington by the exist
ence OF the English cabinet, but the American
Cabinet has no power. The President ia re-
spons1ble for all executive acts and for the con-
duct OF the administration. He has the power.
under the constitution, to require the opinion
ID writing OF the head OF any executive depart.
ment upon any subject relating to that DEPART
ment; but this authority is over the chiefs OF
departments, as such, and not over cabinet
officers, which are not known to the conStitu-
ton. Formerly the Cabinet was assembled
whenever M there was something to be brought
before 1t, put now there are regular days OF
meetiDg-Tuesday and Friday OF each week
me PRESIDENT usually selectShis cabinet from the
leading men Of his party. but there Is no rule or
requirement upon hin In this respect. He may
cnoose WhomsOever he pleaSes, but after his
choice 1t remains for the Senate to Confirm the
apppointment. pps, It is customary to allow the
rIeSloent the fullest latitude In selecting his
capnet, because he is responsible for the ad-
non. ln.nds!Iatlon. Even Senate controlled By the
opposluon party usually confirms the Preident's
cabinet selections.