Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-12-07


management of public affairs. One of
the results, however, of that revolution
was the transfer of the power of the
STATE from the crown TO the House of
commons. Instead Of n government by
prerogative, there was then established
N government by Parliament, from
whom all laws must emanate, requiring
only the approval of the crown as n con-
| dltl0n OF their enactment.
AS is well known, the Queen appoints
her own advisers, Irrespective Of the
wishes or approval Of Parliament. and
though popularity the Ministry is suppos-
cd to possess the whole executive power.
no important measure is presented by
them to the consideration Of parliament
without her sanction and approval. 1t
~ not, however, essential that all acts
ana measures should be presented to
Parliament through the channel of the
Ministrate, and Parliament may origi-
nate and pass acts at its pleasure, subject
to the constitutional rights of the Queen
TO nullity them by herveto. The Queen
can convene Parliament and terminate
its sessions at will.
There have been but two instances in
which the Lords and Commons have met
by their own authority, namely, preyi-
OTIS TO the restoration of Charles II =, and
at the Revolution in 1858. There is one
contingency, however, upon which, nm
der authority Of law, Parliament may
meet without summons. 1t was provld-
ed in the reign Of Anne that in case there
should be no Parliament in being at the
time of the demise Of the crown, then
"the last preceding Parliament shall i'm
mediatcly convene and sit Mt Wcstmin-
ster, as i the said Parliament had never
been dissolved" Such Parliament,
however, by statute in the reign Of
George H., can only continue IN exist
ence for six months, if not sooner dis
solved.
This, then, is the power of the Queen.
She may, with, with the advice Of her
Ministers abone, assemble, prorogrc, and
dissolve Parliament, declare war, con
firm or disallow the acts Of colonial leg
islaures. give effect to treaties, extend
patents, grant charters of incorporation
to companies or municipal bodies, create
ecclesiastical districts, regulate the Board
Of Admiralty, and make appointments
to Ofthe state, create new offices and de-
fine the qualifications Of persons to fill
the same, and dClare the periods at
which ceetain acts Of Parliament, the
operation Of which has been left to the
Queen and Council, shall be enforced.
With regard to.the expenditure Of mon
ey, it is expressly 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 is entirely
dependent upon Parliament for It's reye-
nues, hut though dependent, it has di-
rect control over all supplies when rails
ed. The crown, acting with the advice |
of IFS responsible ministers, Is charged |
with the management of all the revenues
In the country, and with all payments !
for lhe public service. IL makes known |
to the House Of Com mons by its annual |
budget its necessities, and the House |
grants such acts or supplies as these ne
ccssilies require. The crown demands !
money, the Commons giTntit it, aud thc |
Lords assent, and no money can be yot- !
cd by Parliament for any purpose what !
ever except at the dcmand Of Tie crown. |
No petition even for any sum Of money |
relating to The public service can be re-
cciyed by Pariamentunle3s recommend |
ed by the crown, or to any department
of state without the sanction Of pullia- |
ment, aud all money transactions be-
tween the Bank of England and the
Treasury are expressly forbidden, The
Commons, of course, have the power Of
Withholding supplies, but only once Gin
l7Sl) since the Revolution Of 1888 has
this power been eXcrciscd.-- W. T. De- !
els ii Hdrper'S Ndgdsine fer DeccmJer