The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-21

perience and by his knowledge cf inter-
national affairs for the task
with regard TO domestic politics and af-
fairs, it IS perfectly true that the pre-
negatives OF the sovereign are restricted
to a greater degree. but not 10 the ex-
tent which appears to be generally be-
neved. No statute can be enacted or re-
pealed. no new measure put into force. so
far as domestic affairs are concerned. I
save with the knowledge and the sane
ton Of The duly elected representatives
Of the people assembled in parliament.
But on the other hand. parliament cam
not enact any law. repeal any statute or
put any new measure into force without
the consent Of the sovereign. which may
be given or withheld as the monarch sees
IT. There have been numerous Instances.
though not IN the reign Of Queen Vic
toria, Of sovereisns Withholding the royal
assent 10 measures enacted by paflia-
ment. the last case having been when
King George ~. declined ia 1929 to give
his consent to the measure passed BY
both houses Of the national legislature
admitting Roman Catholics for the first
time to the offices Of state. IT may be
added that the king was ultimately per-
HAhlNN Ny AapiA. lAkNAIl 10 hAfH way III NAAAE
matter
10 is this faculty OF giving or withhold
ing the royal signature that virtually
places supreme power IN the hands OF
tho English sovereign, for It IS not only
every parliamentary measure but like
wise every administrative act Of any i'm
portance that must receive the monarch's
sign-manual before It can be put into
force or become endowed with any de-
gree OF validity During the last quarter
Of a century OF Queen yictoria's reign Il
has been estimated that she was Obliged
to put her signature to at least 10000
official documents Of one kind or another
in the year, or 200 a day. and the new
king. like his mother. may be trusted 70
show himself not only too conscientious.
but likewise too Jealous OF his preroga-
tives. ever % amx his signature to any
paper before ho has read and mastered
its contents.
Another but little known prerogatlve OF
the British sovereign Is the constitutional
right 10 dismiss either single cabinet
minister OF elss the entire administra-
tion, II either have ceased 10 enjoy the
confidence Of the monarch II does not
matter whether the cabinet has a parlla-
mentary majority or not and students Of
history may remember that in 1884 King
William Nv. turned out the administration
Of Lord Melbourne. which had an enor-
nous majority In the commons without
any other reason than that the cabinet had
ceased to enjoy his confidence. Although
the Liberal party was extremely indig-
rant at this dismissal. which even the
leading Conservatives looked upon as IN
judged, 10 one attempted to deny its per-
feet legality
II mention .hese facts 1t Is to show
that the British monarch Is far less Of a
ngurehead and Of a dummy than is as
serted Ia print. not only abroad but even
In England itself. presumably by scribes
who have never taken the trouhle to make
themselves acquainted with the consutu-
tioanl history Of the British empire
Those who hass had the privilege 10 be
personally acquainted with the prince Of
Wales, as has the writer since his boy
hood, and who therefore. have some
knowledge Of bis personality and charac-
ter. have reason for believing that while
manifesting the breadth Of view and the
liberal sentiments that have characterized
his social reign during the last four dec
ades, he will. on the other hand. exer-
else TO their fullest extent the rights and
prerogatives that are granted 70 him BY
the terms Of the British constitution. He
is thoroughly alive e the progress Of the
democratic movement IN the old world
and possessed Of too much common sense
not to appreciate that some OF the de-
mands that Il puts forward are JUSTIFIED.
and II one may indulge IN any speculation
as TO the policy which Albert Edward is
likely to pursue, I would be disposed 10
express the opinion that It will be less
Conservative than Liberal -Unionist But
whatever happens, the new monarch, who
now becomes supreme head OF the Church
of England and Defender Of the Faith"
will certainly never show himself 70 be a
"roi faineant"