The Osceola times., 1881-02-05
Power of the British Queen.
Harpers Magazine.

Power of the British Queen.
Harpers Magazine
The queen alone can create a peer,
baronet or knight and confer privileges
upon private persons. She alone can
erect corporations and raise and regulate
fleets and armies, though under such
restrictions relating to the appropriation
and expenditure of money as make it
impossible for her 10 exercise her power
to the detriment of English liberty. She
is the head of the church; she convenes
and dissolves all ecclesiastical synods
and nominates to vacant bishoprics and
other church offices. She sends embas-
sadors to foreign states, receives embas-
sadors at home, makes treaties and ALI.
ances, and declares war and peace,
though her power in these respects also
is in a large degree limited by the power
of parlimcnt to enact or reject such laws
as may he necessary to make it effective.
Previous to the revolution of 1853 the
government of England was mainly car
red on by virtue of what was called the
royal prerogative-that is by the king in
person, with the advice of ministers ap-
pointed by himself, who were only re-
sponsible 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 commons.
Instead of a government by prerogative
there was then established Il government
bv Parliament, from whom all laws must
emanate, requiring only the approval of
the crown as condition of their enact
ment. As is well known, the Queen APP
points her own advisers irrespective Of
the wishes or approval Of Parliament,
and though popularity the ministry il
supposed to possess the whole executive
power, no important measure is pre-
scnted by them to the consideration Of
Parliament without her sanction and APP
proyal. 1t is not, however, essential
that all acts and measures should be pre-
sented to Parliament through the cham
mel of the ministry, and Parliament may
originate and pass acts at its pleasure,
subject to the constitutional right of the
Queen to nulify them by her veto. The
Queen can convene Parliament and ter
inmate its sessions at Will. There have
been but two instances in which the
Lords and Commons have met by their
own authority, ramely: Previous to the
restoration Of Charles H., and at the
revolution in 1868. There is one contn-
gency, however upon which, under au-
thority of law, Parliament may meet
without summons. 1t was provided 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 "thc last preceding Parliament
shall Immediately convene and sit at
Westminster as if the said Parliament
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 minister's alone, assemble, pro-
rogue, and dissolve Parliament, declare
war, confirm or disallOw the acts of colo
NAL legislatures, give effect 10 treaties,
extend the term Of patents, grant char
| ters Of incorporation to companies or
municipal bodies, create ecclesiastical
dstrists. 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 fiji the same, and declare
the periods at which certain acts of Par
lament, the operation Of which has
been left 10 the Queen and council, shall
be enforced With regard TO the expcn-
diture Of money, il is expressly provided
in the act Of settlement, 10 which refer.
cnce 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
its revenues, though dependent, it has
direct control over all supplies when
raised. The crown, acting with the adj
vice of its responsible ministers, is
charged with the management Of all
the revenues Of the country, and with all
payments, for the public service. II
makes known TO the House of Commons
by its annual budget its necessities and
the House grants acts or supplies as these
necessities require. The Crown demands
money, the Commons grant and the
Lords assent, and no money can be
voted by Parliament for any purpose
whatever except at the demand Of the
Crown. No petition even for any sum
Of money relating TO the public service
can be received by Parliament unless
recommended by the Crown. 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 Withholding
supplies, but only once lin 17S4D sincr
the revolution Of l6SS has this powe
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