South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-05-17
CABINET RIGHTS
IN CONGRESS, IS
DAUGHERTY PLAN
Information for L. s. Depart
ments Would Be Facil-
itated. Belief.

WASHINGTON. y c. May 1s.-'
(special} Atty. Gen. Daugherty has
started a serious train OF thought in
congress by suggesting that cabinet
officials should have the privilege Of
speaking on the floor Of the senate
and house. following the immemorial
usage in most OF the old countries
Of the world SIR Daugherty's opin-
ion was expressed after he had been
attacked or the floor OF the senate
by sen Caraway % Arkansas AMI
was inspired BY the wish that ne
could reply 10 the fery Arkansan in
the same forum where he had been
attacked.
Many members OF both branches
Of congress believe that Mr. Daugh-
erty is right in seeking this privilege
for the cabinet and 10 Is not al all
improbable that this important re-
form In the method Of transacting
the public business Will be consum-
mated az a not distant date
The real purpose Of having cabinet
officials granted the privilege OF
speaking in the houses Of congress
would not be 20 answer attacks. how
ever. II would be 20 give the full
est Information regarding their de-
partments as promptly as possible:
10 bring about a more cordial under
standing between the executive and
legislative branches OF the govern
ment- IN short. 20 expedite the
transaction OF the public business.
It Is conceded that at present the gap
between congress and the depart
ments Is too wide TO permit of ex-
peditious and effective tea m work in
the public interest. There needs 10
be, a liaison service Of some kind, and
thoughtful persons are asking
What better liaison service could
there be than the presence OF cab
met members on the floors OF con
gress TO explain the workings Of their
departments and answer questions 20
Early Custom Of America.
Mr. Daugherty might have called
attention 10 the fact that in. the early
days Of the republic the custom
which ne wishes 70 establish was
actually in vogue in this country. so
that 20 ret1rn 20 Il now would be on
a par with the action OF Pres't Wilson
when he re-eetablished the cusom OF
going 10 the capitol 10 deliver his
addresses TO congress custom that
has been perpetuated by Pres't Hard
ing.
The annals OF the First congress
show that the secretary OF foreign
affairs, Mr.. Jefferson" on July -.
1888. attend agreeably 70 order and
q 49,
and that on Aug. p. 1889. Gen.
Knox. secretary Of war. appeared in
the senate and delivered a message on
behalf of the president. etc. IL would
not therefore. be an entire innova-
ton II the cabinet ofhcers should be
heard on the floor OF the senate and
house Il would be in keeping with
this revival of ancient customs II
Atty. Gen. Daugherty should at
tend agreeabIy TO order and maze
the necessary explanations TO con
gress. as Thomas jefferson did in
1888. although II one were TO Judge
by the frequency OF the congression-
al attacks on the attorney general
these days il would seem that the eX-
PLANTATION business would keep him
right busy on capitol hill.
Fight For Bill I'm 1881.
Mr. Daugherty Is not the first mid
west man 10 seriously propose this
reform The late Sen. George II.
Pendleton of Ohio. a democrat. al
most brought the proposal 10 the
point OF successful accomplishment.
A select committee OF ,he senate,
headed By Mr.. Peudleton. in 1881 re-
ported favorably 10 the senate bill
providing that the heads Of the exc
cutive departments may occupy seats
on the floor OF the senate and house
and take part IN debates relating TO
their departments and answer ques-
ttons propounded TO them by senators
and representatives. Serving with
Pendleton on this committee were
Senators William 3 Allison. Daniel
w VOORHEES,. James G. Blaine. NJ. c..
Butler. John J ingalls,, O. II Platt
and J. T. Farley-aH distinguished
senators OF the highest standard.
The plan TO give cabinet orhcials
seats and voice IL. congress had been
sponsored by Mr. Fendleton for many
years prior 10 this time. In fact, ne
began his fight for the reform when
ne was member of the house. IN
1864. as chairman OF the special COM
rnittee Of the house. he reported
favora ably a resolution embody.ng the
plan.
The bill reported by Mr.. Pendle-
ton in 1851. which may be accepted
as a model IN case congress decided
TO enact Mr. Daugherty's suggestion
into law. had two sections. one pro-
vided that the hands OF the govern
ment departments should he entitled
TO seats on the floor OF the senate and
the house. with the right 20 partici-
pate in matters relating 20 the bust
ness OF their respective departu ents
under such rules as might be pre-
scrqbed By the senate and house.
LafoIIctte-Fau Debates?
The other section provided that
the cabinet officials should attend
the opening OF the sessions OF the
senate on Tuesday and Friday OF
each week and the opening Of the
sessions Of the house on Monday
and Thursday 10 give information
asked by resolution or to reply &c
questions which might be pro
pounded 10 them by the senators
and representatives. There wa
also a provision that either house
might by standing orders. dispense
with the attendance OF one or more
Of the cabinet officials On any OF
these days
II any such plan were adopted
undoubtedly stringent rules woulC
be provided IN each house so as tC
conhne the discussions in which