Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1880-11-25
Powers OF the British Queen.
The Queen alene can create

She alone can erect corporations,
and raise and rcgnl Ne fleets and
armies, though under, snch rcstric-
,ione relating to the approximation
and expenditure of money as make
it impossible for her "a exercise her
power to the detrimelH of English
liberty. She is. the shead of the
Church /; she convcnes ana dissolves
ali et:clesiastical synods and convo-
cations, and nominates to vacant
bishoprics and other Church offices.
She sends ambassadors to foreign
States, receives ambassadors at
home, makes treaties and alliances,
and declares war and peace, though
her power in these respects also is
in large degree limited by the
power OF Parliament to enact or
reject such laws as lnay be ncccssa-
r. to make it effective.
Previous TO the Revolution OF
1858 the government OF England
was mainly carried on by virtue of
what was called the roval preroga-
tive, that is, by the King in per
soE, with the advice OF ministers
appointed by himself, who were
only responsible to their sovereign
for their management of public
affairs. Que OF the results, how
ever, OF that revolution was the
transfer Of the power Of the State
from the crown to the House of
Commons. Instead of govern
ment by prerogative, there was
then established Il government by
Parliament, from whom all laws
must emanate, requiring only the
approval of the crown as IA condi-
ton of their enactment.
As is we'll known, the Qncen
appoints her own advisers, irrespec-
tive of the wishes or approval of
parllament, ana Though popularity
the Ministry is supposed to possess
The whole executive power, no i'm
portant measure is presented by
them to the consideration of Par
lament without her sanction and
appro .al. Ii is not, however, cs-
sential that all acts and measures
should be presented TO Parliament
through the channel of the Minis
try, and Parliament may originate
and pass acts at IFS pleasure, suD-
.Ject To the constitutional right IF
the Qnren to nnllity them by her
veto. The Queen can convene
Parliament and terminate its ses-
sions at will.
There have been bus two in
stances III which The Lords and
Commons have met by their own
authority, namely, previous to the
restoration Of Charles H., and as
the Revolution in 1858. There it
one contingency, however. upon
which, nn'Ier authority of law,
Parliament NAV meet without sum-
mons. 1t was provided in the reign
OF Anne that in case there should
he no Parliament in being at The
dt mise of the crown, then "the
last preceding Parliament shall
Immediately convene and sit at
West,ninster, as if the said Parlia-
ment had never been dissolved"
Such Parliament, however, by
statute in the reign OF George I'LL,
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
.; her Ministers alone, assemble,
prorogue, anG dissolve Parliament,
declare war, confirm or disallow
the acts of colonial legislatures,
give effect to treaties, extend the
term of patents, grant charters OF
incorporation tn companies or nn-
nicil'le bodies, create ecclesiastical
districts regulate the Board of
Admiralty, and make appointments
to offices in the various depart
men.s of the State, create new
Offices and define the qualifications
of persons to fill the same, and de
clare the periods at which certain
acts Of Parliament, the operation OF
which HAS been lett to the Qnecn
and Council, shall be eEtorccd,-
With regard to the expenditure ct
money, it isrxpressly provided in
the act Of settlement, to which
reference has been made, that
money levied for the use of the
crown without grant OF Parliament
is illegal. Thus the crown il en-
tirely dependent upom Parliament
for It's revenues, hnt, though de-
pendent, it has direct control over
| all supplies when raised. The
crown, acting with the advise of lis
responsible ministers, is charged
with tie management of all the
Country, and with1ail payurnts for
the ppblic service. 1t makes known
to the Hnuse OF Commons by lis
annual budget its necessities, and
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