ABSTRACT
The president provides the apex for our national political structure—but the organization is not symmetrical, nor is it broadly and evenly based. He must build his own foundations with the means that come to hand. One institution that presidents have used with varying skill is their cabinet. One proposal that has been made time and again is to permit members of the president's cabinet access to the floor of Congress and the right to speak and answer questions. President Lincoln brought into his cabinet two of his defeated rivals for the presidency. The freedom of choice that our presidents have in selecting their advisers is well justified in the case of Hayes. A separation of presidential power from the oligarchy in Congress appeared highly desirable. The president is supposed to stand as the leader of his administration; under him are his loyal cabinet members and the heads of various federal agencies.
