The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-04-22
ABBEVILLE, S. G, THURSDAY MORNING. April. o. 1858
LAW AND LAWYERs--THE CHANCELLOR


Press, who, by the way, shows decided tact
in producing articles Of varied and general
interest, gives lis the following:
If the Lord Chancellor of England could
only obtain pcrmancncy Of Office, he might
esteem himself II fortunate man. His sta
ton places him next hut one in rank to the
loyal Familv--the Archbishop of Cantcr.
bury alone taking precedence Of hiln-and
also makes him preside over tho political
discussions and legal proceedings of the
House OF Lords. In addition to this, he is
ut the head Of the law and Of the Judges
Of England. To compensate him, fixed
salary Of $4,000 is paid him while in Of
iice, and he has Il life pension Of so, 900 on
his retirement. The other Judges receive
pensions after fifteen years service, or on re-
tiring from i'll health.
Nor is this all. The Lord Chancellor is
made Il peer on taking Office. Thus Sir
Frederick Thcsi GER sits in the House OF
Lords, not merely rs Chancellor. but also
;,s Baron Chcsln>ford Were ho only 4
Commoncr, as Chanccllors frequently were
i'll former times, hc could only preside in
the Lords, and in The Court of Chanccry,
without the power Of Speaking or voting in
the former assembly. As Lord Chelmsford
he is an hereditary legislator, the limitation
of his patent Of nobility expressly giving
succession in his title to his male heirs law
fully bcgottcn. Thus, Lords LyndhcrSt,
Hrongham, St. LconardS, and Crranwor,h
continue to sit in the House of Lords,
though they have sevcraIly ceased to occupy
the Woodstock.
l'y the way. the expression ',he noble
Lord on the W6o!,ack." often applied to
the Chancellor, in parliamentary parlancc,
may require explanation in this county,
At Il remote period, when wool WAS con sid.
cred the staple produce Of EnSland-long
before Mcrino, Saxon, Hungarian and Aus
| traan ilccccs were in the market comman-
ding higher prices etiquette of narlia-
mcnt, anxious to compliment trade, placed
Il woolsack in the House of Loris, :,s the
seat Of the Chancellor, who prcsidcs over
! that assembly. Hundreds of years have
passed since that scat WAS first placed, but
the custom continues. The woolsack, at
present, and for a long time past, has been
somewhat Of an idcality. 1t looks like u
square cotton bale, covered with red dam
ask, and its occupant need not feel tie want
Of EARNS" and a.reSular tack to his seat
seeing that he can and docs very well sup
port himself by means Of substantial cuSh-
ions. In fact, independent of the pccragc
and $4,000 year, the "Woolsack" is a
comfortable seat.
Besides pay. the Chancellor has liberal
patronage. lie has n voice potential in ;.d-
vising the Crown us to the appointment of
every other judicial and legal official. He
appoints, and can remove, all justices Of
the peace, usually acting as county magis-
trates upon the Lord Lieutenant's recon-
mendation. Tic appoints to the seven hun
drcl Crown Iivings, each of which is
valued at 500 year in the Queens books
which actually includes many valuable,
livings, some Of them valued formerly at
$40, but now, from the increase Of popula-
ton and trade, $4,000 year. He has the
patronage Of all Offices in his own court.
Ills duties, presumed and actual, are
heavy. AS Il Prvy Counsellor and Cabinet
| Minister he participates in the responsible
task of governing the British, Empire-ad-
vsing his colleagues on all mixed subjects
Of law and politics, and in all matters rela.
ting to police, law and justice. lie is Off
cially looked upon as "kccpcr of the sove.
rcisn's conscience, and is supposed to be the
adviser Of the royal family, in case of doubt
or difficulty, in which their interests are in
! vovcd. lie is the &C oNcio guardian, and
absolutely SO if tlcir property be Gin Chan,
| cery."
His executive duties make him preside
by prescription as Spea kcr of the House OF
Lords, and also as their Lordships' chief
judge in their court Of appellate jurisdic-
ton, before which appeals come from every
court of law and equity in England, Ireland,
and Scotland. Tie Chancellor, with sim
gular want Of dclicacy, often hears and de-
ciles upon appeal against his own decision!
SO between the Cabinet, the Privy Council,
the House of Lords and the Chancery
Court, the lawyer who is Lord Chancellor
has his hands always full.
| BY the Catholic Relief act Of 1920, a
Roman Catholic cannot be Lord Chancellor.
1t was feared that he might dispense church
patronage not quite to the advantage Of the
church. But the original holders of til,
office were not only Catholics but generally
ccclcsiastics. The Chancellor was Il sort oi
chaplain to the King, OF, before the reform
alton, his confcssor and conscience. keeper
lie then was the Kings chief secretary, ad-
| yiSinu tho soycrciOn M yarinuc tor,on.,,l