Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-06
POWER Of ROYALTY.


POWER OF ROYALTY.
Just at this time is an opportune occa-
sion for giving brief outline Of the
functions Of the English government.
This is admirably done by \. o. Winter,
English correspondent for The National
Tribune, and the following facts are
quoted from him:
The queen is sovereign in name only.
Her individual will weighs almost as
naught Her official acts are those Of
the party in power.
The queens SPEECH" so called, read
at tho opening Of every parliament, is
prepared by the leaders of the prevail
ing party and contains a setting forth
OF the measures which it is proposed TO
pass. Although at heart 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, yet she
would not dare exercise it.
Hsr gracious approval" is matter
Of course after the bill has passed the
two houses.
Since the Seventeenth century, when
parliament repudiated the claims Of the
Stuart family and established q 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 ono sovereign become obnox-
ious he or she would be signing the
death warrant Of their respective house.
The monarch serves as a fyurehead-as
An official representative Of the govern
nent.
None Of the royal family, although
occupying seats in the house of lords,
lare take any part in politics. In re-
turn for their magnificent salaries they
lay cornerstonss, attend public gather
.ngs and furnish matter for public gossip.
The tendency of late years is toward
The sbolishment Of the hereditary house
IF lords. Although such an event may
not occur very soon, yet 1t will no doubt
be tho final result. The necessary turn
ing point toward such an outcome would
be obstinacy ON the part Of the lords
toward any favorite measure Of the COM
mons. The lords appreciate the situa-
ton, and as rule are obedient, and their
appreciation is generally only matter Of
form. II they oppose q measure Sec
md return Of 1t by the commons gener-
ally has the desired effect, and some un
Important amendment viii probably be
lacked On merely to preserve their own
dignity. In this respect their proceed
ings are generally very tame in CON-
parison with the occasional stormy SEES
lions Of the lower house.
There IL also another way by which
ne obstinscy On the part Of the lords
may be overcome. That is by additions
70 their own ranks. Peers can be created
ut any time and without any limit Of
number. Political leaders are often given
peerases for eminent services.
Should sonAs important measure be OBJ
structed in tho house of lords sufi-
cient number Of new peers of the right
faith might be created to overcome the
opposing factien. This extreme is one,
however. that has not been resorted to
for many. many years
The house Of commons il a favorite
training place for the heirs of hereditary
peerages. Il gives them training In
the usages and tactics OF debate and leg
islstion which grants q certain prestige
when compelled by cruel fate TO trans
fer their sphere Of action to the upper
house.
A wide difference in the political sys-
TENS Of the two countries Is found in the
elective system. The duration of a par
lament Is indefinite. the time of election
equally so, and other things differ from
the ciockwork regularity of the Ameri-
can elective system.
The extreme life of a parliament il
seven years, or il may be dissolved at
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 Holneruls quss-
ton.
When parliament has been dissolved
writs are issued to all the constituencies
for new election. A day for nonIins-
don Is appointed. not simply for party
nomination. hus each intending csnji-
dates name must he presented. II there
IL only one then he Is declared elected,
otherwise poll is ordered for a certain
day, when ballots are deposited by the
qualified electors rs in the states.
To ths person Of careful observation
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