Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-07-17
ROYAL PREROGATIVES
NOT AS GREAT AS IN OLDEN
TIMES.
BUTaYET .QUITE IMPORTANT
Theory of English Law Entirely Incon-
sistent With Reference to the
Kings Rights-He is "Irresponsi.
BILE" Yet Clothed With Many Pow.
ers.

The prerogatiyes of the king of Eng.
land, though considerably curtailed by
long series of enactments, are still,
contrary to widespread opinion, of
great extent and much Importance,
says the Montreal Star. The theory of
! English law, as to the prerogatives of
the monarch, are entirely inconsistent
The law recognizes him as an ire
sponsible being, and yet that same
law defines his power. In consequence
of this position, the courts have from
time to time Interpreted what consti-
tutes his prerogatives. For clearer
conception of these various priv
| leges," they have been divided into
! four principal classes, namely, person.
al, political, judicial and ecclesiastical.
However ludicrous it may appear. it
Is nevertheless a fact according to
British statutes) that among the many
rights which have been taken from
the sovereign, are, that he can neither
die nor make mistakes, but there may
be a demise of the crown, and thereby
transfer of authority. Neither can
he be under age, and if so, a protector
is appointed for administrative pur-
poses. He is personally irresponsible
for crime, or tort, and should injury
be inflicted at the hands Of the king,
it is attributed to the blunders of his
advisers.
A curious consequence Of the entire
exemption of the monarch is, that he
is the only person in the realm who
cannot, under any circumstances
whatever, arrest a felon. The reason
for this is, that if the prisoner were
innocent, no action for false imprison-
ment could be brought against the
crowned head. The king is also ex-
empt from taxation, because, as the
revenue is one of his prerogatives, it
would be useless for him to tax him
self, yet, the lands purchased from the
privy purse are taxable. No matter
what debts he may contract, he cannot
be arrested or his goods restrained or
taken in execution. This privilege of
being exempt from taxation applies to
the palaces and all public buildings of
state. No judicial process can be
served in royal residences, but this
immunity does not extend to buildings
when not used as royal dwelling,
such as Hampton Court House. Holy
rood House is still a sanctuary from
civil process.
The king is the supreme executive
and coordinate authority, anu is para
mount to parliament, which body he
can dissolve or prorogue at his pleas
ure, but he cannot prolong the ses-
sions beyond seven years. In theory,
parliament exists but at the will of the
sovereign, and vote for a member
Is merely franchise granted through
the graCiousness of the monarch, and
is not an inherent right Of the subject.
The king can refuse to assent to bill
passed by parliament, though it can be
said that this right has not been exer-
cised since Queen Anne's reign, when
that sovereign refused to sign the
Scottish militia bill. The ruler is not
bound by any act of parliament unless
he Is named therein, and likewise, any
proclamation issued by the king is only
binding when founded upon and con-
forming to the common law; neither
| can he create any new offense.
The right of the crown to grant
letters of denization has been pre-