Year: 1879




The debate in the Senate on Monday on
Senator Pendleton's bill giving cabinet Of
icers seats in the two houses of Congress
was gratifying relief from the monotony
of political discussion that has prevailed for
SO long. The speech by the author of the
bill is spoken of by the dispatches as an able
and logical argument, in which he demon
strated not only the expediency but the con-
stitutionality of his plan. He held that the
presence of cabinet officers in Congress was
contemplated by the founders of the gov
ernment, and insisted that such plan is the
reasonable, intelligent, progressive way, the
way of improved legislation. No nation has
ever abandoned it for the old way, more than
farmer has given up a mower and reaper
for the scythe and sickle.


We have already referred approvingly to
this proposition, and though many newspa-
pers have argued against it, we see no good
reason to alter our opinion. 1t has stood the
test in every constitutional government in
the world, and is regarded as one of the most
important features of their legislative as
semblies. Under our present system the
two houses of Congress can obtain informa-
ton from the heads of the several depart
ments only with the greatest difficulty. A
resolution is introduced calling for this,
that, or the other statement as to the con-
duct of the departments. Perhaps it is laid
over for a day or week, but may finally
pass. It is then passed through the several
channels, and in the course of time reaches
the secretary, who consults his own con-
venience as to whed or how he will respond
if he designs to make any response at all
We have had one sample during the present
year. Some time in January last Senator
Beck asked for certain information from the
secretary of the treasury. His resolution
passed in the course of three days from the
date of its introduction, but Congress
} adjourned in March without the information
wanted being communicated. A SECOND
resolution of similar import IN the presen
Congress was required to draw it out of the
unwilling secretary.


This state of things ought not to exist
The heads of departments ought to under
stand that they are the servants of, not su.
perior to, the legislative power of the coun
try. Cases are constantly arising in boil
branches of Congress in which information
from one of the secretaries would be @
great value. This information could, in


majority of instances, be communicated o.
the spot, and legislation could thus be great
ly facilitated. We see no danger to be az
pretended from the change. The chang
would be for the better rather than for th
worse-in the interests of true Republican
ism rather than having tendency to mo1
archism, as Mr.. Morrill, fears-for it woul


enforce upon the cabinet officers the know
edge of their dependence upon Congress al
the people. The change could not be en-
, ployed to advance any partisan designs, fl
the officers would have no vote in determi1
, ing questions at issue. 1t would simply
, a convenience both to the legislative and e:
: ecutive branches of the government, and


properly underst ood would be advocated
| every member of both Houses, and by eve
officer of the government. We hope to s.
. the bill thoroughly discussed and careful
considered, convinced that when it is full
D understood it will commend itself to eve
l citizen.