The deliberations of committees are usually secret, or
if not, are not generally reported. Some committees, such
as those on naval and military affairs, and those on the
expenditure of the several departments, deal with adminis-
tration rather than legislation. It is through these commit-
tees chiefly that the executive and legislative branches of
government touch one another. Yet although executive
officials are forced to take time to explain affairs, and to
make reports, the committees on the one hand do not follow
out recommendations, and on the other, do not always de-
tect abuses and peculation.
After a bill has been debated and amended by the com-
mittee it is reported back to the House, and is taken up
when that committee is called in its order. One hour is al-
lowed to the member whom his fellow committeemen have
appointed to report. He seldom uses the whole of this hour,
but allots part of it to other members, opponents as well
as friends, and usually concludes by moving the previous
question. This precludes subsequent amendments and leaves
only an hour before the vote is taken. As on an average
each committee (excluding the two or three great ones)
has only two hours out of the whole ten months of Congress
allotted to it to present and have discussed all its bills, it
is plain that few measures can be considered, and each but
shortly, in the House. The best chance of pressing one
through is under the rule which permits the suspension of
standing orders by a two-thirds majority during the last six
days of the session.
What are the results of this system?

It destroys the unity of the House as a legislative body,
and the interest of members centers in the committees.
