The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-16
AN ADMINISTRATION POLICY.

The difficulty of determining the exact
policy Of the present administration or at
least It's exact position in respect to promi-
nent measures introduced into Congress,
brings into public consideration the propO-
sition that members of the Cabinet should
have seats in the House with the right of
debate on measures proposed by them
selves. For example, the Secretary OF the
Treasury would appear a an appointed
date and outline the policy of the admis-
tration in respect to the tariff. He would
mark ont the line of needed changes. give
his reasons why they should be made, leav-
ing to the House the power to adopt what
portion OF his suggestions it nigh: think
fit. The administration would in such case
be spared the modification of being held
responsible for such departures from the
settled policy as the Senate has made in
the sugar schedule. At the present time
Secre airy Carlisle is partially held respon-
sible for the adoption of that schedule by
the Senate. He may not have had a voice
in the cODclaVes of Senators that made the
change, but he has not yet been able 10
prove that he had not If ne had outlined
an administration measure at the open
ing of the tariff debate he would have
been responsible for the measure be recon-
mended. and for no other.
The Pacific railroad funding bill is an
ether measure upon which the position Of
the administration should be made clear
The chairman Of the committee which re-
ported the bill may represent the admins
tratiOn and he may not. If the Cabinet
officer in whose department. the funding
proposition Is considered were to appear in
the House and advocate any distinct line
of policy in respect TO the Pacific railroad
debt the public would at least know where
the admins tration stood.
A good many people would like to know
about how deeply the administration is
interested in the Nicaragua Canal enter
prise. No measure ever received so many
favorable mentions and so little actual sup
port. Every President gives it a good
word and every Congress talks a little
about it and does nothing. We have
reached that point at which me must do
something or step aside and let foreign
capital build the canal.
It would be exceedingly interesting t.
hear what Secretary Gresham may say in
defense of the new Chinese treaty. The
L
know on what ground a treaty sweeping
aside existing laws excluding Chinese is
advocated. We only hear from a Cabinet
officer news through a newspaper CORE
spOndent. AS a rule, il the views put
forth do not meet favorable response
they are repudiated.
1t will be urged against the proposition
to let Cabinet Ministers be heard in Con-
gress, that it is the business of Congress to
legislate and of the executive to execute.
Such indeed is the theory of our form OF
government, but hardly the practice. The
executive now works in committees and
upon individuals. Secretary Carlisle meets
members of the Senate Finance Committee
In private rooms in hotels. Secretary
Gresham dimes The committee having ms
Chinese treaty under consideration, and il
is surmsed that Mr.. Cleveland is not igno-
rant of the fact that a Pacific railroad
funding bill is being considered in CON-
mittee. Since We must apparently have
executive interference in legislation. would
IL not be well to put the executive depart
meuts on record?