The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-08-12 00:00:00

IN DAYS GONE BY!

There are some pcople who apprehend that the
present state of antagonism between the. two Houses
of Parliament must lead to a serious crisis; but it
may console those who are nervous on this head (re-
marks the Pall Mall Gazelld to point out that exactly
two hundred years alp the Houses of Lords and
Commons were wrangling and jangling much as thev
have been doing during this session, and that both
institutions have survived their differences.

By referring to the records of Parliament it will be
found that on April 10, 1671, "The Lords melding
down for a co create touchir_g an address to his
Majc.sty, and Les,t mentioning the bubject matter, the
C0111E16115 order a rc,mmatte,-; to search precedents for
messages between the Homes, and to report thereon."
On April 11, "The Lords conceive it unparlia-
memtary and contrary to 911 ancient precedent; and pro-
ceedings to agree to one part of a message and deny
another." In the Commons, "The TAMP haying, re-
ceived from the House of Commons an answer which
their Lordships conceive so unparliarnentary that they
could not proceed in that conference, desire a con-
ference on that answer in the Painted Chamber at
five ; " to which the Commons agree.
April 12. At the conference, "the Commons con-
ceive their lordships were very sudden, by a message,
to term it unparliamentary, before reasons were heard

en either side ; and conceive that there is hardly a prc-
eedent to be found, when 11 a msssage, before any con-
ference, the Lords or Commons hass called any.
thing nrfrarlianunstark."
A ;ail 13. 'lie. I "nwrions resolve, flees. eon., 'that
in all aids given to the King? tha,C,Mtinerns, the rate
of tax ought not to be altered by the 1,t+5f1r.,"
April 17. Report is made in the Lords o 3 the eon-
frrsnee. 1.,,da give their reasons at great lengtll;
5151 asscrt that "to mage suth amendments awl abate-
ments both as to matter, Measure, and Ome, in Acts
for rates awl impositions, is a fundamental, inhcmt,
and und, added right of the 11011:;c of Peers, from which
they cannot departs!'
April 20, Report is made from another eastferriwe
"on the matter of privilege arising from the Louie'
alterations ~f the rate.' The Conauons ams,int
Committee to consider the reasons and meet:dents. 1
They order the 1,, irds to be Mf, wined d a mist ate in
a.sking a frcc conference when there had been hut one
conference on the matter. The lords admit the mbe
• take. Ordered, A Committee to
.peruse the Journal
of the House for the province, hen. VIII., insisted
upon by the Lords in the Bill of Impositions.
April 22. An additional report is made in the Lords.
They resolve, "That this House is not satisfied with
their reasons and precedents, and do much dislike the
unusual expressions of the Commons at the last con-
ference." The Commons resolve, "That ths Lords
Commissioners of the .Treasury do recoil:Lin& t 9 his
Majesty to give order tor a ref:01110mm to the chaplain,
officers, and servants attending tins House." Resolved,
"That thanks be given to Mr. Attorney-General for
Ids great pains and care is preparing sad dammingup
the reasons, in answer to the Lords." Parliament was
then proroguod by the King to the 16th of April in
the following year, and this stormy session came to an
end.