Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1892-11-03
POWER OF ROYALTY.
IN ENGLAND THE SOVEREIGN ~
MERELY A FlGUREHEAD.

4 just at this time j. an oppOrtune occa-
sion for giving brief outline of the
functions Of the English government.
This is admirably done by n. O. Winter,
English correspondent for The National
Tribune, and the following facts are
4 quoted from him:
4 Tho queen Is sovereign i'll name only.
Her individual win weighs almost as
4 naught. Her official acts are those Of
the party in power
The queens speech, so called, read
/ at the opening Of every parliament, is
prepared by the leaders Of the prevail
ing party and contains setting forth
Of tho measures which it is proposed to
pass. Although at heart d Tory, Yet
should the Liberals be successful she
would be obliged to appoint the cabinet
proposed by that party. She has veto
power on all bills, | believe, vet she
would not dare exercise it.
Her gracious approval" is d matter
Of course after the bill has passed the
two houses.
Since the Seventeenth century, when
parliament repudiated tile claims of the
Stuart family and established rival
claimant on the throne, the choice Of
sovereign rests with the house of com
mons. OF course, unless for special rea-
sons, the direct line would be chosen;
but should one sovereign become obnoz-
ious he or she would be signing the
death warrant Of their respective house.
The monarch serves as a fgurehead-as
an official representative Of the govern
ment.
None Of the royal family, although
occupying seats in the house Of lords,
dare take any part in politics Ia re-
turn for their magnificent salaries they
lay cornerstones, attend public gather
ings andfnrnish matter for public gossip.
The tendency Of late years is toward
the adjustment of the hereditary house
Of lords. Although such an event may
not occur very scon, yet it will no doubt
be the final result. The necessary turn
ing point toward such an outcome would
be obstinacy on the part of the lords
toward any faYorite measure Of the COM
mons. The lords appreciate the situa-
ton, and AZ d rule are obedient, and their
appreciation is generally only a matter Of
form. Ii they oppose d measure d sec
ond return VI it bv the commons gener-
ally has the desired effect, and some un-
important amendment will probably be
tackled on merely to preserve their own
dignity. In this respect their proceed
ings are generally very tame in com
parison with the occasional stormy ses-
sions Of the lower house.
There is also another way by which
the obstinacy On the part Of the lords
may be overcome. That il BY additions
to their own ranks. Peers can be created
at any time and without any limit Of
number. Political leaders are often given
( peerages for eminent services.
Should some important measure be OBJ
1t ssllztsszl tl.s l.saase 1e-rtsa 4ritss
ciers numbe7 OF new peSrs OF fae right
faith might be created to overcome the
opposing faction. This extreme is one,
however, that has not been resorted to
for many, many years.
The house of commons il favoIite
training place for the heirs Of hereditary
peerages. It gives them training in
the usages and tactics Of debate and leg
islation which grants a certain prestige
when compelled by cruel fate to trans
fer their sphere Of action to tile upper
house.
A wide difference in the political sys-
TENS Of the two countries is found iii tile
elective system. The duration Of a par-
lament is indefinite, the time of election
equally 50, and other things differ from
the clockwork regularity of the Ameri-
can elective system
The extreme life Of a parliament il
seven years, or it may be dissolved 1T
any intermediate time by command of
the sovereign; also, in the case Of some
new policy, the members may be obliged
to submit themselves for reelection on
that issue. Such was the case with the
Gladstone party on the Homerule ques-
ton
When parliament has been dissolved
writs are issued To ill the constituencies
for new election. A day for nomina-
ton is appointed, not simply for party
nomination. but each intending candi-
dates name must be presented. If there
is only one tnen lie is declared elected,
otherwise u poll il ordered for certain
day, when ballots are deposited by the
qualified electors as in the states.
To the person Of careful observation
it viii be apparent that the British voter
resembles IN more ways than one the
American voter. While it il true that
the Britisher is freer agent than his
American cousin, yet he is quite rs
easily influenced and has all equal faith
in the party leaders.
Elections may occur on amy day with
in Ii certain limit, ana NOT simultaneous
" All over the country. Likewise
man may vote in as many districts Us he
possesses the necessary property qualifi
rations. There IL not manhood s1f-
irage here, but one cf property, so that
one person may possibly vote for several
candidates. The qualifications arc If
three different kinds-a man must pos
sess freehold properly which brings iii a
clear income Of a small amount, w he
must occupy rented premises Of the
value Of fifty dollars yearly, or, third,
a man must occupy lodgings wortl.
$1.25 per week. The two latter require
the occupation Of the same premises for
one year previous To elections. wv.
Foss in Yanl1ee Blade.
,lueer Superstition.