New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-24

member, and the whole mass, amounting to tnousanus
Is referred without distinction to the various standing
committees. As these committees do not exist I'LL
after Congress meets business is got ready for con-
sderaton in advance, and all but the last few weeks
OF the session spent IN efforts the part OF these
committees 10 evolve definite measures out OF the
mass OF business submitted to them II Is
precisely because all public discussion Of business
is postponed till few weeks, and days. before
the session ends, that the arbitrary power OF
the Speaker and the majority has to be called
In to suppress all debate and force vote upon
measures, matter how badly constructed and of
which the public knows nothing. Under the proposed
changes instead Of general messages, referred, like
all other business to the standing committees ana form
ing only a part Of the elements to be worked up by
them the members Of tho Cabinet would submit definite
bills each one for his department. upon which dis
cussion in public would begin Immediately upon the
opening OF the session. Again, the work Of the COM
mlttecs is conducted practically in secret under pres
sure OF the lobby and OF private ana i"co. ~
sent President for his SIGNATURE is 1t subjected
the public criticism OF any authority representing
Evcrv member q Congress, including the speaker.
represents district. and OILY district, and ma
iory Of any number represents only combination
OF local Interests. II would be immense advantage
II nm official, not Identified with any section bnt III
tcre>ted In the National administration, wa, always
NJ hand TO give an opinion. either voluntarily or
elected by questions OF independent members as TO
tho bearing OF any measure upon the National 10.
tcrest 1t would be for the members OF the Cabinet
20 force on not so much legislation votes upou
cc station Of public interest under their responsibility
both to the Houses and the country and If silent
members to be counted towards a quorum, TO en-
force the Speakers responsibility. that TINS was done
on uniform and impartial rules. Standing commit
tees. least upon great public questions; wOull DO
rendered unnecessary. lose most Of their Importance
and thus the speaker might again become that whlci
he certainly Is not now and Of which there IS urgent
need. impartial presiding ohccr over the ueUera
ions OF the House In the senate report already re-
fcrrcd to. the committee say that the advamta a
OF tho obvious rs not 10 heed uls,us
sion" They in fact 50 many rs 10 make me us
cussIon endless, and quite beyond me scope o ,n
essay Hike this ! will. therefore, tonch further 0ly
on the objections To II. Mr. Lodge says That those
who advocate 1t "utterly fail to So" that IN order 10
do TINT. must place in the hands OF congress III
addition to the legislative power the executive power
Also to be exercised by select committee Inc incu u.s.
posed Is merely an imitation Of the English Govern
inent whore the Cabinet are. rs Mr. BagehOt mas cN-
PINNED practically committee OF the House OF Com.
made ' by tb, majority Of the Commons and can be
mnrnadc by the same power. More than this. When
to send for the leader Of the Opposition. whom she In
cites TO form a new Ministry lie docs this by asking
;hc leading members of his party TO JON hlnli Wun
hcy VII do Gny pGn r promise n9 Snc :" Of i" em de-
icated The condition OF unstable equilibrium.
and their whole strength !, cNsr,ed 10 preNeno uo
the whole Their one defence is In a dissolution of
Parliament which Of course is impo'sihe here Our
crcss DOS not make the Cabinet and need not unnako
It. It's members are appointed by the PRESIDENT I,
they not voluntary aSsOca'ion but oil dependent
upon tho President. that he can chang" them
engly IL he plcascg. They need not resign upon m
adverse vote I'm Congress anv more than they 90 now
uf the crowninc difference Of ours from the Ensi,h
system j. this that whereas tho English Executive II
practically elected bv the majority ~ the Commons our
Executive t. elected separately from Congress, by the
whole people and Is wholly independent OF that BODY
This e. tho real American principle upon winch l
should stand strongly Mr.. Lodge. He saws that
the change would place executive well as legislative
power in the hands ~ Congress. Tho fact is that
would ohvaic that difficulty which exists already. ana
Al. fhp firm ar
gross AZ present that body bond both President
and Secretaries 81 rs will hy granting or refusing Dc
sired legislation. and those officials have no power
~ direct appeal 10 tho cOunry they have 10 submit
IN silence ut II the Cabinet being independent OF
Congrcss has equal opportunity OF attack and De
fence on tho floor ~ the House before he country the
Executive power would be much more separate from
the Legislative than Il Is now.
Tho pronoscd measure has THIS further advantage.
thai IL cnnld made matter ~ tho simplest eHper1-
mont The House could invite the secretaries 70 tne
places on the floor for single short session, win
mo understanding that the concession would expire nv
limitation nnlcss II proved 50 Sotsf1rtory rs 70 be
specially renewed. GAMAl.lEL BKADFOKD.
Boston, March I, 1902.