The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-06-08
POWER OF THE HOUSE.
HOW 1T HAS AUGMENTED IN
LATE YEARS.
Exaltation of the SpeakershiI
Comes From the Growing
Power Of the House.

The authority of the Speakership, in
view of Reeds position, has aroused
widespread interest as to the occu-
pancy of this office in the next House
OF Representatives Originally of minor
consideration, the Speakers authority,
accommodating as it has through cen
tury of government, is now something
momentous. AS growth in power
from an humble beginning, with but
slight recognition, it is striking and
exceptional. Its Independent aspect
gives it distinction. Neither a Repre-
sentative nor a Senator nor the Presi-
dent himself, stands in such clear relief
as does the Speaker. The Constitution
mentions him, and that is all. Clay,
Blaine, Randall, Reed and two or three
others OF conspicuous ability have
largely contributed to raising the pre-
siding officer of the House to it's pres
eM eminence. Indeed, nothing can well
escape the influence of a large mind
Ana no ones reputation as Speaker
surpasses Reeds. We call him the au-
! tocraf. But neither he nor any ror all
OF his predecessors. while they have
given prestige and an air of independ-
ence to their office, are wholly respon-
slble for it's authority.
The peculiar combination of increas-
cd representation and a large ratio is
really the substantial cause of his wax
ing Importance. To be sure, it doesn't
regulate the probabilities or material
details, but it makes them possible.
Clay or Blaine would be as great in
history without this aid as with If
Would Reed be? We shall ascertain
as we pass on. He has been neculi,r-
~ a Speaker. His record is in the
House and over the House. And If bas
become more brilliant with the grow
ing power OF that body. This is said
Win due consideration of the fact tina
- lne congress which first conferred on
Reed the Speakership about twenty
ne" members were added, showing no
increase OF influence, for the ratio was
.a'ionary at that particular time. and
atso Oh the faet that his views on GER
IAN 1eaolng issues have not been alto
sether IN harmony with those of the
administration. The sweep Of Reeds
Illumination is apart from this or that
ieiiilestatlon, and comes with the
strength that is naturally and eradu-
any all the while developing in the
mouse. And as this was necessarily
recognized by the men who made the
CONSTITUTION, the Speaker. by associa-
tion and indirectly. has a much larger
stdholng fundamentally than he is
gwen credit for. 1t wasn't essential r.
oenne MS office. In the nature of things
II would define itself. But the duties
OF the House We're very clearly SET forth
ana the principles laid down for tho
accumulation of power by that ~enro-
sentative assembly in the time 10 come
inns presents a very interesting nhasa
VI government in America. and that
commentators and critics sho11Jd nase
oy thlng Of such great importance in
dea1ng with the elements and branches
OF what is called our system and tho
system as a whole is. to saw the 1east
uncomplimentary That the system of
government has inevitably develoned
the status of the Speaker is the com
sensus of opinion. In a measure if is
right. But an assertion of thai Kind
IS too broad and not sufficiently definite
10 give an idea of the true sourca If
authority We see manifest in the Sneak
ersmp. 1t is peculiar in that If has
grown up without any visible relation
ana seems to be dependent upon tha
aplilty of its celebrated representatives
PROBABLY Clay and Blaine thought 81
IL is pretty certain that one of Reeds
cast OF mind would hold that opinion
ana II IS true that personality has
soH1ethlng to do with it, But neither
thls nor the system of government is
just the thing. Then what is it? The
power of the House Of REPRESENTATIVES
IHdt is constitutional. and so in turn
IS the VIDE prerogative of the Speaker.
Ihls Is dWelt upon at some length be-
cause IL is the most recent expression
OIL the growing greatness of the House.
Inc House of Representative now
mas ooI members. 1t originally had,
pe1ore the first enumeration, fifty-six.
| 80 the growth of it's national life is
gwen in this comparison. And it is this
growth that distinguishes the House
from any other branch or partial
branch of the Government. The execu-
| tive Office is, of course, fixed. being
single and in a sense supreme. So
too, is the Senate. except in so far as
the admission of States affects it. The
Judiciary is subject to some enlarge
ment, as is the Cabinet, but not much.
|
striction, if not positive stability. What
little broadening out the executive gets
is through the Cabinet, and that merely
by way of counsel, which is nominal.
The avenue of escape is the housa.
Ihere is lessening of tension. There is
amplitude of expansion. So the Gov
eminent is constructed on the law of
nature that gives vent to accommodating
energies. There must be an opening.
The pressure of a great and increasing
population finds it in the House. But
It's power is not here. To ascertain that
one must look to the proportionate de-
crease in representation. There is a
lesson for public men, and one worthy
the best faculties. While the people
are afforded an indefinite enlargement
OF expression by the popular legislative
department, the expression is being all
the while minimized as it stands COM
pared to the whole number of inhabi
tants. In other words, the voice of the
voter diminishes in matter of personal
representation, and that of the Con-
gresham grows constantly greater
Thus the matter assumes, at a glance
an ugly aspect, which a little delibera-
ton as quickly dispels 1t is merely one
or the conveniences and necessities that
come with civilization and development
In populations that are metropolitan
people become impersonal and the State
and the nation, in a modified form, fol-
low this fashion. The great mass
dwarfs the Individual And SO in the
matter of representation he becomes
less as the aggregate expands. But
none of his force as q citizen is wasted