The Portland daily press., 1880-12-01
Powers of the British Queen.

The Queen alone can croate peer, baron
ct, or knight, and confer privileges up,n pr-
vate persons. She alone can erect corpora
tions, and raise and regulate fleets and armies,
though under such restrictions relating 10 the
appropriation and spending of money as make
it impossible for her to exercise her power 10
the detriment of English liberty. She Is the
head of the church: she conveues and dissolves
all ecclesiastical synods and convocations, and
nominates TO vacant bishoprics aud other
church offices. She sends ambassadors 10 io,-
eign States, receives ambassadors at home,
makes treaties and alliances, and declares
war and peace. though her power u these re-
spects also is In large degree limilsG By the
power OF Parliament to enact or reject such
laws as may be necessary TO make it effective
Previous to the revolution OF 1858, the Govern
ment of England was mainly carried on BY vir-
tue of what was called the royal prerogative,
that is, by the King in person, with the advice
of Ministers appointed by himself, VINO were
only responsible to their sovereign for the
management Of public affairs. One Of the re.
suits of that revolution. however. was the
transfer of the power Of the State from the
Crown to the House of Commons. Instead OF
government by prerogative, there was. then
established a government by Parliament, from
whom all laws must emanste, requiring ouly
the approval Of the Crown as a condition of
their enactment. AS is we'll known, the Queen
appoints her own advisers, irrespective OF tho
wishes or approval of Parliament, and though
popularly the Ministry is supposed To possess
the whole executive power, no important mea-
sure is presented by them to the consideration
OF Parliament without her sanction and sppro-
val. 1t is not, however, essential that all acts
and me sures should be presented to Pariia-
ment through the channel of the Ministry,
and Parliament may originate and pass acts OF
Its pleasure, subject to the constitutional right
OF the Queen to nullify them by her veto Tho
queen can convene Parliament and terminate
It's sessions at will There have been but two
instances in which the Lords and Commons
have met by their own authority. namely pre-
vious to the restoration Of Charles III and al
the revolution in 1888. There is contingency,
however, upon which, under authority OF law,
farliameni may meeI without . summons 1t
was provided in the reign of Anne that i'll case
there should be no Parliament in being at the
time Of the demise OF the Crown, then the last
preceding Parliament shall Immediately con-
yene and sit at Westminster, as if the said Par
lament had never been dissolved, Such a
Parliament, however, by statute in the reign
OF George Ill, can only continue in existence
for six months, if not sooner dissolved This
then, is the power of the Queen. She may
with the advice of her Ministers alone, assem-
BILE, dissolve and prorogue Parliament, declare
war, confirm or disallow the acts of Colonial
Legislatures, give effect to tho treaties, extend
the term OF patents, grant charters of incorpo-
ration to companies or municipal bodies, create
ecclesiastical districts, regulate tho Board Of
Admiralty, and make appointments to offices
in the various departments OF the Sta'e, create
new offices, and define the qualifications of
persons to fill the same, and declare the peri
DDS ut which certain acts of Parliament the
operation Of which has been left to the leen
and Council, shall be enforced. With, regard
to the expenditure OF money, 1t is expressly
provided in the act of settlement, to which
reference has been made, that. money levied
lament, is Illegal Thus the Crown is entire
Iy dependent upon Parliament for its revenues
but, though dependent, 1t has direct control
over all supplies when raised, The Crown,
acting with the advice Of its responsible Min
isters Is charged with the management OF all
ments for the public service. 1t makes known
to the House of Commons by its annual budget
its necessities, and the House grants such acts
or supplies as these necessities require. The
Crown demands money, the Commons grant
it, and the Lords assent, and no money cin be
voted by Parliament for any purpose Whatever
except at the demand OF the Crown. No petit
ton even for any sum of money relating to the
public ser 'ice can be received by Parliament,
unless recommended by the Crows. On the
other hand no person can lend money TO the
Crown, or to any department Of State. without
the sanction Of Parliament, and all money
transactions between the Bank Of England
and the Treasury are expressly forbidden. The
Commons. of course, have the power Of with
holding supplies, but only once (ln 17S4) siucs
the revolution OF 1888 has this power been OK
ercised.-karper's Magazine.