Mr. SPRAGUE. Before submitting the motion that I deem it wise to submit at this time, I desire to say that in listening to the debates which have attended the deliberations of the Senate on this subject I am perhaps more impressed with its importance than that of any other question now before this body. I lis tened with great interest to the remarks of the Senfrom Michigan, [Mr. Howe] when he suggested that the Cabinet officers now excluded from the operations of this bill should be included. I desire that in the Senate, when the bill comes properly there, he should enforce the arguments that he then used and renew his motion upon that point. That, too, would answer the argument of the Senfrom Maine, who finds difficulties in regard to requiring the appointments of mine r officers to come before the Senate. He stated difficulties that he thought it almost impossible to sur mount; but they will be surmounted I think by applying the provisions of the bill to the appointment and removal of Cabinet officers like other officers. If the Senfrom Wisconsin insists upon his amendment being in grafted, it will I think answer the difficulties which the Senfrom Maine has suggested. I believe, as I said before, that this question is more important than any other before the Senate. I believe that the question is really between a republic as existing and founded in ancient times, and as defined in the DeclarIndep, and a system of government by rulers, whether emperors or kings or a privileged class it is a question affectin the preservation of a republic, of liberty, of independence, of the rights of men. Questions of finance and of tariffs are of little consideration with me in comparison with a question which is to determine the perpetuity of republican institutions founded upon the principles of the DeclarIndep. I see before me many seats vacant. I think that the importance of the question has not been properly considered or that would hardly be so. It is important even as affecting the dignity of this body alone; and it is proper that when the Senate sends to the other House a bill affecting its own dignity, its own rights, its own privileges, it should send to that body a measure which it can stand upon, and not send an imperfect measure which I think will be the result if the bill be passed as it now stands. As it stands, it separates the heads of Depts from the general operation of the bill. Those heads of Depts have, under laws passed, for a long course of years been.o. almost with executive power in matters of appointment and removal, and therein lies the essence of this whole question. When you have established a rule that the Cabinet officers of this Government must recognize the power of the Senate, subordinate officers will be relieved from the pressure that now unmans them and makes them slaves. In consideration of these views, sir, I move, in order that the question may be further considered tomorrow, that the Senate do now adjourn.