The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-02-09
Powers of the British Queen.

baronet, on knight, and confer privileges
on private persons. She alone can erect
corporations, and raise and regulate
fleets and armies, though under such re-
strictions relating to appropriation and
expenditure Of money as make 1t lmpos-
sible for her to exercise her power to the
detriment of English liberty She is
the head of tho Church; she convenes
and dissolyes all ecclesiastical synods and
conyocations, and dominates 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 III these re-
spects also is in large degree limited by
| the power Of Parliament to enact OF re-
ject such laws as may be necessary to
make it effective,
Previous to the Revolution Of 1858 the
Government Of England was mainly car
ried on by virtue Of what was called the
royal prerogatiye; that Is, by the King
in person, with the advice of ministers
appointed by himself, who were only re-
sp0nsible to their Sovereign for their
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 Com
mons. Instead Of a Government by pre-
rogatiye, there was then established a
Government by Parliament, from whom
all laws must eminNtc, requiring only the
approval Of the Crown Us Il condition 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 sup
posed to possess the whole executive
power, no important measure IS pre-
sented by them to the consideration OF
( Parliament through the channel Of the
Ministry, aud Parliament may originate
and pass acts at its pleasure, subject to
the constitutional right Of the Queen TO
mllifv them by her veto The Queen
can convene Parliament and terminate
! it's sessions at will,
There have been but two instances iii
which the Lords and Commons have met
by their own authority, namely, prev
ious to the restoration of Charles II
and ut the Revolution in 1858. There Is
one contingency, however, upon which,
under authority Of law, Parliament may
meet without summons. 1t was pro-
yided in the reign Of Anne that Ill case
there should DO no Parliament IN beng
Mt the time Of the demise of the Crown,
then "tho last preceding Parliament
shall Immediately convene and sit at
Westminster, as if the said Parliament
had never been dissolved" Such Par
lament, 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 Minis
tiers alone assemble, prorogue, and dis
solve Parliament, declare war, confirm or
di,nIow the acts of Colonial Legislatures
give effect to treaties, extend the term Of
patents, grant charters of incorporation
to companies ormuniclpal bodies, create
ecclesiastical districts, regulate the
Board of Admiralty and make appoint
ment5 to offices in the various depart
lnents of State, create new Offices and
define the qualifications OF persons to
fill the same, and declare the periods at
which certain nets Of Parliament, tho
operation Of which has been left to tho
Queen and Council shall he enforced.
With regard to the expenditure OF
money, it is expressly provided in the
act Of settlement, to which reference has
been made, that money levied for the
uso OF the Crown without grant of Par
lament isillcgal. The Crown is entirely
dependent upon Parliament for its reye-
nues. .- W. r. Daris, IN Jumpers Mug
nzine. -----