St. Landry democrat., 1886-01-30
THE QUEENS SPEECH

! Slctor'a's FIRST Personal Opening of Parlia-
ment Since the Death of the Prince Com
sort--The Royal Pageant in a Wet snow
! Storm--The Salient Points of the ouaen,s
| Speech.
| LONDON, January IA more unpro-
pitious day for the opening of Parliament
| could not have dawned. A cloudcd, win.
try sky, with wetting snow falling, met
the gaze of early risers, and the storm
still continues, filling the streets with
slush. The route laid out for the state
| procession from Buckingham Palace to
the Parliament buildings, was thronoad
| with people, Notwithstanding the in
| clement weather. Many had assembled
early in the morning at advantageous
points, and remained stolid and indiffer-
ent 10 the elements in their desire to
witness the passage of the grand state
pageant and catch a glimpse of their be-
loved sovereign. Every precaution had
been taken by the authorities to guard
against accident to the royal corteoe.
they even going so far as to sprinkle the
streets with gravel in order TO prevent the
slipping and falling of horses. At the
time appointed Q:30 p. M the Queen
entered the state carriage and the royal
procession at once began to move. The
carriage was escorted by the Household
Cavalry. All along the route Her Ma
jesty was enthusiastically checred.
AS arranged, the Queen aighted at the
Peers entrance to the House of Lords.
where she was met by Lord Halsbuv,
the Lord High Chancellor, and escorted
within the Chamber Here there was a
most brilliant spectacle. There was a
full attendance of Peers, who, with their
wives, judges, ministers and bishops,
were all in full dress. In the absence of
sunshine the gas in the Chamber of the
Lords was lighted, which added splendor
to the scene. The Queen looked as
though she was suffering from cold.
Her Majesty was at once escorted to the
throne, and when she was seated Lord
Halsbury, Lord High Chancellor, imme-
diately began the reading of the address.
The Queens speech opens with refer
ence to her relations with the other great
powers, which, she said was friendly;
she was pleased to state that the Afghan
boundary question was settled "The
Roumelian rising shows that the people
OF that country desire a political change.
My object in the negotiations which have
been carried on in this connection was to
bring them under Prince Alexander of
Bulgaria without impairing the Sultan's
rights" "The long continued acts
of hostility of King Theebaw ne
cessitated a war against Burmah. The
gallantry of the forces under General
Prendergast rapidly reduced the country,
which to insure peace has been incorpor-
ated into my empire' \ y can agree
o,,+ Il -,
all commercial rights granted to Germany
in the Carolines." Regarding Ireland Her
Majesty says: II have seen with deep
sorrow renewal Of the attempt to excite
the Irish against the uAion. | am reso-
lutely opposed to the disturbance thereof,
and I am convinced that | have the sup
port of my Parliament and people. The
social and material conditions of Ireland
engages my attention. Although there
has been no marked increase in
crime, legal processes in many places
have been resisted, and organized
continues. My Irish sub
jects must be protected in their legal
rights and individual liberty by every eff
fort. If existing laws be inadequate to
cope with the growing evil, look with
confidence to your willingness to invest
The Government with all necessary pow
srs." "Bills will be introduced
% create councils in the counties of
Great Britain which will undertake the
ocal business now transacted by courts
If quarter sessions. A measure for re-
orm county government of Ireland will
llso be presented" = ssYou will
Llso be presented with bills facilitating
he sale of glebe lands: removing
he difficulties hindering the cheap trans
er Of land; mitigating the distress of the
'oor in the western highlands of Scot
and, and extending the powers of the
Railway Commission" II trust that
beneficial results will flow from the
Royal Commission ON Educat;on."
The address closes with an expression
# hope for the prompt and effective dis
atch of important business before Par
lament, and commends Parliament to the
eeping and guidance of Almighty God.