The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-08-07
The AMERICAN PREMIER.
A Comparison between the American end
English Speakers.

THE AMERICAN PREMIER.
a Comparison Between the American and
English Speakers
Tho parallel between tho English md
tho American premiers Is, of course, by
no means exact. In the first place, our
speaker is powerful only In the house,
writes Albert Bushnell Hart In the At
lantic on Tho Speaker as o Premier,"
while the premier, through his major
ity in the house Of commons, may, and
frequently docs. overawe the house OF
lords. Tho Senate is not bound TO REQ.
ognizc the leadership Of the speaker Of
the house OF representatives; but even
here there Is an evident convenience fn
having party chief, capable Of laying
down policy OF successive measures
and OF urging those measures through.
Whenever hereafter tho two houses ore
controlled by the same party, it Is prob
able that some junto, of which tho
speaker Is the leading member, will ar
range programme Of legislation for
both houses In tho second place, tho
speaker Is chosen for definite term OF
two years, unless by vote compelled
sooner to resign. But parties tn the
United States are much more stable
than In England. Tho party which
elects tho speaker invariably holds its
majority to the end Of TINT congress.
Nothing, therefore, but tho disregard
OF the wish of his own followers is like
ly to destroy the speakers power; and
when his followers no longer stand by
him, his position Is much like TINT Of
the premier against whom the house Of
commons has passed vote of wont of
confidence
The speaker must resign, and his po-
htical influence will be destroyed. Tho
executive part Of the premier's power is
not within reach Of the speaker; but If
the tradition of party action through
the speaker continues, tho general pol.
Icy of the party will be formed SO as to
include executive action president
who wishes to stand well with his portv
Is likely TO did IL carrying out the pro-
groInmc arranged by the junto of which
the speaker is tho leading member.
This most recent addition to the
speakers power ha not been conferred
by recent vote Of tho house in odoptc
ing rules, and In fact is not expressed IN
tho constitution, the acts of congress, or
the rules Of the house. 1t Is natural
growth. and part of the tendency
throughout the national, state and ran,
nicipal systems to put responsibility
upon individuals rather than upon
boards 1t is O wholesome reaction
from the divided responsibility and
wastcful system of conducting the bust
ness OF Legislation. II secures OF least
the consideration Of the measures held
by the leaders of the majority to be
most important Those measures may
or may not be for the public good; but
under the new system the public has
better opportunity to place responsi.
billy upon those members of congress-,
who, under any system, must control
its operations, namely, the great leaders
Of the majority. The system Is, there.
tore, likely to DO continued in principle,
Il not in the Same form, by each party
when In the majority. The powers now
exercised by the speaker will probably
be exercised by each succeeding speak
er, and will somewhat increase. Sinoo
the legislative department In every ne.
public constantly tends to gain ground
at the expense of the executive, the
speaker is likely to become, and per
haps Is already, more powerful, both
for good and for evil, than the president
Of the United States He Is premier In
Legislation. 1t Is the business of his party
that he be also premier In character, IN
ability. in leadership or craftsmanship