The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-05-30
KING NOT SUPREME.
Privileges the Sovereign Of Great Britain
is Denied.


Although monarch Of the greatest
realm of the world has ever known,
King Edward of Great Britain must
admit to certain restrictions upon his
personal conduct that are not imposed
upon his humblest subject If the
owner of the biggest and most valua-
bic business in Great Britain were to
write to the king Offering him a half
share in all the profits from that bust
ness for nothing it would be impossi-
BILE for the occupant of the throne to
accept this generous proposal Just
as no clergyman nor officer may COM
bine business with his profession, SO
the king must not become partner with
a subject.
Neither can he be tenant or hold
anything "in service" from one of his
subjects. The old law on the subject
declares this to be beneath the kings
dignity. He may, however. accept
the post of executor under a will, but
may not act. He must appoint some
one to do the work for him, for he is
supposed to have his hands toofull with
state duties to attend to trivial private
affairs Although, as may be known,
the monarch 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 constitution for the
king to preside over the privy council.
Queen Anne was the last occupant of
the throne to do so. And although the
original appointment of members of
the privy council is a royal privilege,
yet the king may not select any for
eigner-that is one born out of the
kingdom and not of British parentage
Ito serve.
In the reign of George III. the privy
council discussed how far the kings
mandates must be obeyed by his sub
jects and came to the conclusion that
the law of the land would not permit
the king to prohibit new buildings be-
ing erected in London, nor his for
bidding the making of starch from
wheat The king cannot exempt any
class of his subjects from duties i'm
posed upon them by act of parliament.
This was proved when a charter was
granted to certain college of physi-
clans exempting them from the mill
tia tax. After a big lawsuit the
judgment was in this instance against
the crown. Nor is the king at liberty
to compel any one to lend him money.
The petition of right which contained
this stipulation meant it as strong
hint that taxes were in the future to
be collected by the orders Of parlia-
ment not of the crown
Although the king may pardon q
malefactOr, he cannot send him or any
other man to prison OF his own author
ity, nor has he the power of life or
death over any of his subjects. He
has, in fact, no legal power, for he may
not appoint justice or any other com
mission of the peace. The high sher-
if is the only functionary of the kind
whom lie personally, and unaided, may
appoint The king may make a will
dealing with his private property, but.
though during life the crown jewels
are his property he cannot will them
away. If he marry a roman Catholic
a 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 evade any
conditions of the coronation oath
Chicago Chronicle.