National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-09
breakfast Table Letter to the President

breakfast Table Letter to the President.
Mr.. PRESIDENT When you were about 8
years of age you noticed upon the wall of q
common school house in which you were
pupil printed placard-"Goorge Washington
had only common school education"
This statement made an impression on your
mind, and you, in pleasant, interesting man
ncr, related the circumstance some few weeks
since 10 the writer of this letter.
II, therefore, George Warrington had only a
common school education, how much educa
ton does It require TO make useful member
of a congressional committee? You have re-
Gently stated that your constitutional duties
did not require you to dictate to Congress in
order TO shape legislation by the power Of ex.
eeutive influence or patronage. Your position
is sound one. 1t is reported, however, that
your Cabinet ministers have been potential in
forming the membership of several important
committees. Their extensive knowledge in
governmental affairs, and the want of 1t on the
part OF members, induced them to act as
sort of sell. constructed civil service board.
1.-THE inconsistency OF a committee on coin.
age, with a silver head, and agolden tail larger
than the head; or a committee on foreign re-
latlons, with head allied TO the money kings
of monarchlcGl Europe, is repugnant, why not
make.a new rulo providing for board of ex.
aminers to select members fit for the duties of
their assignments on the House committeesP
1t would seem highly improper 10 carry civil
service reform to that extent by Democratic
administration, inaugurated by special mes.
sage of the President; but your Cabinet minis,
tiers could do 1t, in secret conference, with the
| speaker, If II were not for the requirement OF
a two.thlrd vote TO change the present rules-a
requirement instgRted and secured by the tact
of the Sagacious Reed, of Maine-this Demo
cratic House Of Representatives would UNI
doubtedly, by majority vote, elect Speaker
Carlisle and Col. Morrison, OF Illinois on the
part OF the House, and Secretaries Dayard and
Manning, on the part Of the administration as
civil service board to construct the commit
tees OF the House of Representatives.
ThisplOn may not please the people, as the
House Of Representatives is the only portion OF
the government in which they have direct
voice. There has not been nominating state
| or national convention for years by either the
Democratic or Republican party, where the
delegates would trust the chairman OF their
choice to form the committees True democ-
raCy requires the House to elect, by.maIority
vote, its own committees, giving the minority
| proper representation.
our present system is English, you know,
but when old Ireland becomes republic her
committees and her laws Will be formed un'
douhtedly by the vote of a majority. Then,
nm American Congress will have an example
of true democracy, unawed by the dlctAIlon Of
government, The nearer tho House of Repre-
sentatIycs initiates the popular win as ok,
pressed in town meetings the further viii It
10 removed from the influence of intrigues
and the power of monopoly, that control and
defeat legislation,
Mr. President, the people are dlstrustful and
suspicious unless they can see what influences