Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-07
Opening Of the British Parliament
QUEEN yICTORIA's SPEECH.

London, 6. The session of Parliamen
was re-opened at noon to-day. The member
OF the House of Commons were called to thu
bar of peers where the speech from the throne
was delivered by a commission consisting o
the Lord Chancellor, Marquis of Ripon, Ear
of Kimberly, Earl of Cork and viscount Sid
ney. Only Is peers were present and little
interest was manifested in the proceedings
The lord chancellor read her majesty's speech
of which the following is report:
My Lords and Gentlemen II greet yor
cordially on your assembling for the discharge
of your momentous duties. / have satisfac
ton in announcing the maintenance Of rela
| tons Of friendship with foreign powers
throughout the world. You were informed
when l last addressed you that steps had been
taken to prepare the way for dealing more
effectually with the slave trade on the coast
of Africa. l have now despatched an envoy
to Zanzibar, furnished with such instructions
as appear best adapted for the attainment of
the object in view. He recently reached his
place of destination and had entered into COM
muncation with the Sultan.
My ally THE Emperor of Germany, who
had undertaken to pronounce judgment as
arb,er on the line of the water boundary
SO long in dispute under the terms of the
treaty of 1916, has decided in conformity with
the contention Of the government of the
United States, that the Haro channel pre-
sents the line most in accordance will, the
true Interpretation of that treaty, l have
thought it course most BETTING the spirit of
international friendship and dignity of this
country to give immediate execution to the
award by Withdrawing promptly from my
partial occupation Of the island of San Juan
The proceedings before the tribunal of arb;-
tration at Geneva, which l was enabled to
prosecute, and in consequence Of the exclu-
sion Of indirect claims preferred in behalf of
the government of the United States have de.
termined in an award which in part establish
and in part repealed the claims allowed to be
relevant. You will in due course of time be
asked to provide for the payment OF the sum
coming due to the United States under this
award.
My Acknowledgements are due to the Ger
man Emperor; likewise to the tribunal of
Geneva for the pains and care bestowed BY
them on the peaceful adjustment Of contro-
versies, such as could not but impede the full
prevalence of international good will in
case where it was especially to be cherished
In the prosecution of well understood and
established policy, have concluded treaty
for the extradition Of criminals with my ally
the king of the Belgians.
Iuc RONG Vi EEdUCe uuTlIlR tllc re-
cess has renewed its communications with
my government for the purpose of conclud-
ing q commercial treaty to replace that of
1860, which is about to expire.
In prosecuting this economy, l have kept
in view the double object of equitable regard
to existing circumstances and of securing a
general provision more permanent in its
character, and resting on q reciprocal and
general basis for the commercial and mari
time relations OF the two countries. hope
to be enabled within short period to an
nounce to you the final result.
1t has been some years felt by the govern
ments of Russia and the United Kingdom re-
spectively, that it would be conducive to the
tranquility of Central Asia, if the two govern.
ments should arrive at an identity of view re.
garding the line which describe the northern
frontier Of the dominion of Afghaniston. Ac-
cordingly correspondence has passed, of
which this is the main subject, its tenor no
less than its object, will, trust, be approved
by the public opinion Of both nations.
Papers will be laid before you with rela-
ton to the award delivered under the treaty
of Washington to commercial negotiations
with France, and to the northern frontier do
minious of Afghans:an.
Gentlemen of the House Of Commons, the
estimates for the coming financial year will
be presented to you. They have been formed
with a view to the more efficient operation of
our establishments under the circumstances
of inconvenience entaied by variations of an
exceptional nature. in the prices Of some i'm
portant commodities.
Ny Lords and Gentlemen, although the
harvest has to some extent been deficient, the
conditions of the three Kingdoms, with refer
ence to trade and commerce to a sufficient
revenue for meeting the public charges, to
decrease of paupersm, and to a relative
amount Of ordinary crime, may be pro-
nounced generally satisfactory.
A measure will be submitted to you at an
early day for settling the question of uniyer-
sal education in Ireland. 1t will have for its
object the advancement of learning in that
portion of my dominions, and will be formed
with careful regard to the rights Of con-
science.
You will find ample occupation in dealing
with other legislative subjects Of Importance,
OF which, part have already been under your
notice in various forms at different periods.
Among these your attention will be speed
lily asked to the formation of supreme court
Of judicature, including provisions for the
trial of appeals.
Among the measures which will be brought
before you also, are proposals for facilitating
the transfers; for the amendment of our sys-
tenn of local taxation and of certain proys-
ion of educational acts of 1870, general acts
regulating railways and canals, together with
various other bills for the Improvement of the
laws.
| earnestly commend your deliberations to
the guidance and favor of the Almighty God.