English 6.

DEBATE OF MAY 8, 1889.Question: Resolved, that a closer harmony between the national legislative and executive departments is essential, and can be obtained by giving cabinet ministers seats and voices in congress.

Brief for the Affirmative.S. R. Albee and C. M. Thayer.

Best general references:- T, W. Wilson on Cabinet Government in the United States, in International Review August, 1879; or H. White in Nation, vol. 28, p. 243.

I, The present system of transacting business in congress is unsatisfactory and would be greatly improved by the proposed exchnage:- Senator Hoar in North American Review, Feb. 1879, Gamaliel Bradford, The Practical Working of our Government, pp. 4-8; Nation, vol., 46 p. 279 et seq.

II. Direct responsibility for measures is essential and would be obtained:- Story on the Constitution, S 869 et seq; International Review, Aug., 1879, pp. 149-151; Nation, vol. 44, pp. 142. and 206.

III. Appointments of cabinet officers would be made on grounds of efficiency and not from political or focal considerations:- International Review pp. 157-1603; The Political Working of Our Government, pp. 8-9; Nation, vol 38, p. 243.

IV. Better measures would result from this exchange:- Overland Monthly vol 3, p. 17; Woodrow Wilson, Congressional Government pp. 261 and 262.

V. Legislation would be carried on from a national point of view rather than from a local:- Bradford, p. 7 et seq; Nation vol. 44, p. 151, and vol. 46 p. 384.

VI. The Civil Service would be benefited by the change:- Nation vol. 46, p 467.

Brief for the Negative.F. E. Huntress, and F. W. Thayer.

Best general references: Atlantic Monthly, vol. 57, p. 180; Morrill's Speech, forty-sixth congress, first session, pp. 971-974.

I. Such harmony is not essential; (a) our form of government is one of checks and balances; (b) our constitution secures as much harmony between the departments as is consistent with their independence-Morrill's Speech, thirty-eighth congress, second session, p. 421.

II. The presence of the executive in congress would lead (a) to extreme party dissensions:- Sunset Cox'speech, thirty-eighth congress, second session, pp. 438 to 444; (b) to undue influence of the cabinet:- Wilson, opp., thirty-eighth congress, second session, pp. 106-108; (c) to the neglect of the business of the departments:- Congressional Record, thirty-eighth congress, second session, p. 439.

III. It would give rise to serious complications. e. g. (a) When the president or either house were of different political parties; (b) when the conduct of the cabinet becomes objectionable to congress, but is sanctioned by the president:- Pomeroy's Constitutional Law, pp. 121-22; Wilson's Congressional Government, p. 269; Nation, vol. 16, p. 233; Nation. vol. 28, p. 243; speech of Mr. Thayer, thirty-eighth congress, second session, p. 446.

IV. To be effective the change proposed implies a responsible ministry:- International Review, vol. 4, pp. 248-250; vol. 7, p. 151; Overland Monthly, vol. 3, pp. 25-27.

V. A responsible ministry requires: (a) a change in the position of the two independent houses, and the subserviency of one to the other, (b) a cabinet chosen from the majority; (c) the resignation of the cabinet after defeat; (d) the power to order dissolution, and a new election, and the ability to form an accurate index of public opinion from the result; (e) pressure on the states, on the courts, and the fusion of of executive and legislative deportments:- Von Holst a Constitutional Law, sections 25 and 26; Atlantic Monthly, vol. 57, p. 180; Bryce's American Commonwealth, vol. 1, p. 88.

VI. A responsible ministry would revolutionize our present form of government, and would be foreign to the spirit of our constitution:- Hare's American Constitutional Law, vol. 1, pp. 175-180; Overland Monthly, vol. 9, pp. 209, 210; Freeman's Presidnntial Government, p. 396.