New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-02
GOVERNMENT BY COMMISSION.

pv no means the least interesting feature or
.ho cerman Fmueror's speech WAS his reference
- tho recently appointed Tariff Commission.
Tho Fmneror. who strongly favors the Protec-
two system. evidently has high hopes Of profit
from tbe labors of that body. He regards the
tarifY Ms q scientific rather than political mat
ter. and one to be dealt with by scientific ex-
merits rather than by politicians. so THIS Com
mission, composed OF thirty practical represent
atves Of industry, agriculture ana trade Is 10
ascertain "the conditions and scope OF the ex-
"tenslye notifications Of home production, IN
"ordpr TO obtain q firm basis upon when 10
"shope future customs tariffs and commercial
"re,et.ons with foreign countries. AS about
threefourths of the members Of the Commits
sion are Protectionlsts. The expectation Is that
a continuation and perhaps strengthening OF
rho Protective system Will be recommended,
and although the Commission has no manda-
tory or legislative power, the Emperor undoubt-
edlv exnects It's recommendations to be accept
ed AMI adopted by the Rechstag.
In that there ,s reason to fear he will be dis
on,o,nted The Tariff Commission scheme Is
not new. It was tried In this country years
400 Some profit was derived from IT, but
there was no such result rs the Emperor ap-
noars 10 expect. There are those who urge the
abortion OF It here In permanence. But there
Is little reason to suppose that such course
would have the results desired any more than
tina. the present experiment IN Germany WILL
The insuperable obstacle to Its success is In the
fact that the action OF such commission is
NOT and cannot be under the present system of
government finally authoritative II Is merely
advisory. perhaps nluminatlve. II must be re
viewed passed upon. recast. accepted ana en-
acted. or rejected, by Congress, or the heichs-
tag And in this latter process the element OF
politics will be injected into IT, Just as much
as though there had been no commission. ihis
NAV be unfortunate. but under existing FORMS
of Government. both republican and Imperial
II Is inevitable. 1t Is in accord with both hu-
man nature and constitutional law and pracuce.
Government by commission might OF course
be adopted and the principle extended 10 all
departments. The President might appoint an
executive commission 10 do oil his work ior
him. The courts might appoint commissions OF
Iurists to relieve judges and jurles OF their du'
t,es Legislatures might turn over tho work OF
making not only Tariffs but all laws to com
m,ss,ons But that would mean revolution
Under the present Constitution It Is Congress
that has power and It alone. 10 lay and collect
au,,e. 10 regulate commerce and TO perform
similar legislative nets And Il Is bound TO do
them itself II cannot constitutionally delegate
It's power to any other body. II may get all
the expert advice II wants, but IN the ehd II
must Itself do the work and bear the RESPONSE
bil!ty. The remedy for evils in government Is
not In futile attempts 20 SHIFT responsibility
which cannot be shifted. but in the selection
Of more worthy men 70 exercise the cohs'ltu'
,,or,, functions What IL needed Is TO have
mcmbers OF Legislatures as well Informed and
as disin,erested rs are these much-vaunted com
mlss,oners. and then to have them quit playing
politics" and attend to the essential business or
The people, for which they will then have ample
time.