The Washington times., 1901-12-15
SOME THINGS THE
KING MAY NOT DO
MONARCHS' RIGHTS RESTRICTED.
Edward VII of Great Britain Less
Free in Many Ways Thnn His
subjccts-Practical with
out Legal Power.


valuable business IN Great Britain we're
TO write to the King, offering him half
share in all the profits from that business
l for nothing, it would be impossible for
/ the occupant OF the throne to accept this
generous proposal. Just as no clergyman
nor officer may combine business with
| his profession, so the King must not be-
come partner with a subject
| Neither can he be tenant, nor hold
anything IN service" from one of his
4 subjects. The old Law on the subject de-
clares this to be beneath the Kings dig
nifty He may. however. accept the post
of executor under Will. but may not act.
| He must appoint someone to do the work
for him, for he is supposed 10 have his
hands too full with State duties to at
tend to trivial private affairs.
Depends on Priyy Council.
Although, as may be known, the mon
arch may dispense with his Cabinet and
most of his civil servants, yet he cannot
discharge the Privy Council. but is Obliged
to call their aid in deliberation. What is
more, it is against the British Constltu-
tion for the King to preside over the
Privy Council. Queen Anne was the last
occupant Of the throne to do so. Ard al
though the original appointment Of mem
bers OF the PrIvy Council is a royal privi-
lege, yet the King may not select any for
eigner-that is, one born out of the King
dom. and not of British parentage-to
serve
T. a. .i, Il g.,c--o ~ ,h- urt--,-
Council discussed how far the Kings
mandates must be obeyed by his subjects,
and came to the conclusion that the law
Of the land would not permit the King 10
prohibit new buildings being erected in
London. nor his forbidding the making OF
starch from wheat
The King cannot exempt any class Of
his subjects from duties imposed upon
them by act of Parliament. This was
proved when a charter was granted to a
certain college of physicians. exemptlng
them from the militia tax After a big
lawsuit the judgment was in this instance
against the Crown. Nor IS the King at
liberty to compel anyone to lend him
money The Petition Of Right which con-
tained this stipulation meant it as a
strong hint that taxes were in future to
be collected by the orders Of Parliament.
not Of the Grown.
Can Send No One 10 Prison.
Although the King may pardon male
factor. he cannot send him or any other
man TO prison OF his own authority. nor
has he the power of life or death over
any OF his subjects. He has. Ia fact no
legal power. for he may not appoint a JUS
tice nor any commission of the peace.
The high sheriff is the only funcuonary
OF the kind whom he personally and un-
aided may appoint
The King may not quarter soldiers or
sailors upon any subject. and though he
may dismiss an army may not raise one.
He may not interfere with elections OF
any kind nor suspend any law; and all
sorts Of statutes guard against L.s med
ding with the prlsileges OF Parliament.
Especially he may no, exclude members
from the Hourc nor in any wa make
,bom suffer for any uterances wifrin its
sacrcd precincts. Another peculiar limi-
,ation to the royat prerogativc OF pardon
is that no pardon anier the great seal
Us pleadable to an Impeachment by the
Commons. F
I.inbIc to Lose His Throne.
The King may make Il viii dealing with
his private property; but though during
life the Crown jewels are his property. !
he cannot give them away.
II he marry Roman Catholic King |
Of England is liable to lose his throne. 1t |
is necessary that he be a member of the |
established Church Of England, and that |
he do not eyade any conditions Of the cor
lnation oath.
Though the King himself cannot be sued |
without his own permission. yet he is |
not able to extend this protection TO his !
representatives the Governors Of the va
iYus colonies. They have none OF Ahe |
legal rresponsifility OF the Sovereign. |
Neither can the King extend his protec-
.on to The members Of the royal services. |
They are not only liable to martial. but |
also to the civil law SO long as they are |
In the Kingdom and under its jurisdiction. |
Finally, even the King cannot in any way |
interfere with the Ambassadors Of foreign |,
Powers resident in this country. nor with |
a warship Of any other country lying in |
A British harhor-AnsweTs.