Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-11-27
Powers of the British Queen.

The queen alone can create peer barOnet
kng nc an ao CONFER privileges on private per,
raise and regulate fleets and armies though
under such restrictions relating to the appro-
priation and expenditure of money as make it
impossible for her to exercise her power to the
detriment Of English liberty. She 1s the head
OF the church; she convenes and dtSsolves all
ecclesiastical synods and convocatIons, and
Dominates to vacant bishoprics and other
church offices. She sends ambassadors to for
eign states, receives ambassadors at home.
makes treaties and alliances and declares war
ana peace, though her power In these respects
also is In large degree limited by the power
OF parliament 20 enact or reject SUCH laws as
may De necessary to make tt effective.
Previous to the Revolution of 1858 the gov
eminent OF England was mainly carried on by
virtue OF what was called the royal prerogative,
that is by the King In person, with The advice
Of ministers appointed by himself, who were
only responsible TO their sovereign for their
management Of public affairs One OF the re-
suits. however, OF that revolution was the
transfer OF the power OF the state from the
crown TO the House OF Commons. Instead of
taOlished government by Parliament from
whom all laws must emanate, requiring only
the approval OF the crown as a condition OF
their enactment.
own advisers, irrespective OF the wishes or ap-
proVal OF Parliament, and though popularity the
Ministry Is supposed to possess the whole exec
utive power no important measure is presented
py them 10 the consideration of Parliament
without her sanction and approval. 1t is not,
however, essential that all acts and measures
! should De presented to Parliament through the
| channel OF the Ministry, and Parliament may
| originate and pass acts at its pleasure, subject
to the constitutional right Of the Queen to null
| lily them by her veto. The Queen can convene
Parliament and terminate its sessions at viii.
| There have been but two instances in which
| the Lords and Commons have met by their own
authority, namely, previous to the restoration
| OF Charles H., and at the Revolution In 1855
There is one contingency, however, upon which,
, under authority OF law, Parliament may meet
| without summons. 1t was provided In the reign
| ment In being at the time Of the demise of the
| crown. then ''the last preceding Parliament
shall Immediately convene and SIT at WestmiD.
ster, as II the said Parliament had never been
dissolved" Such Parliament, however by q
| statute In the reign OF George Ill, can only
| continue In existence for six months, Ii not
sooner dissolved.
This, then, is the power OF the Queen. She
may, with the advice OF her Ministers alone
assemble, prorogue and dissolve Parliament
declare war; confirm or disallow the acts OF
colonial legislatures, give effect to treaties, ex
tend the term Of patents grant charters of In
create ecclesiastical districts, regulate the
Board OF Admiralty, and make appointments to
offices In the various departments OF the state
create new offices and define the qualifications
OF persons to fill the same, and declare the
PERIODS at which certain acts OF Parliament, the
operauon OF which has been left to the Queen
I
me expenditure Of money. it is expressly pro
vldeo 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 en-.
tirely dependent upon Parliament for it's
revenues. but, though dependent, it has a di
rect control over all supplies when raised
inc crown, acting with the advice OF its re-
sponslo!e ministers, Is charged with the man
agement OF all the revenues of the country and
Win an payments for the public service. Il
makes known to the house Of commons nv tts
annual budget its necessities, and the house
grants such acts or supplies as these necessi
ties require. The crown, demands money the
commons grant 1t, and the lords assent. and
no money can be voted by parliament for any
purpose whatever except at the demand of rhe
crown. No petition even for any sum o.
money relating to the public service can be re
ceived by parliament unless recommended by
the crown. On the other hand, no person car
lend money to the crown, or to any department
OF state without the sanction of parliament
and all money transactions between the Banl
OF England and the treasury are expressly for
oidoen. The commons, OF course, have tn:
power OF withholding supplies, but only ono,
un lIs4 since the revolution OF 1858 has Thu
power been exerciSed.-W. T. DnpiS, in HaY
EeTs Magazine for December.