Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-06-21

better enable the American reader to
understand the true position OF the SOW
ereign In the British monarchy han by
slightly paaphrasing a description
which / wrote FIVE years ago on Inc
subject In a work which had the good
fortune 10 be the last book OF the kind
which was read 20 Queen Victoria, who
was very much pleased with II. ! re-
publish IL at the special request OF the
present king. Edward VII, who com
municated to me his opinion that no
writer had ever more accurately de-
scribed the actual working Of ,he mod
ern monarch In the modern state.
The true theory Of the position Of the
king can best be understood by imagln-
ing the realm and all lts dependencies
as a great newspaper owned by a myrl-
ad stockholders, who include an the
subjects OF his majesty at home or over
sea. OF these stockholders. a small mi-
nofity exclusively male, and resi-
dent solely In Great Britain
and Ireland have voice In the
direction OF the policy Of the whole
vast concern. Stockholders meetings,
which must be held once in seven years.
and which, as q matter Of fact, have
been held nearly 20 times in the course
OF the last 90 years have power 10 elect
an editorial council OF COO odd mem
bers, which sits about seven or eight
months In the year.
The Realm, however, comes out
every day, and the stan by which It Is
produced have duties which cannot De
iHtermtted. The permanent edtofship
Of the great organ Of national opinion
Is vested IN the hands Of the king who
is however, forbidden to write any
leading articles or TO dictate the policy
OF the paper, The actual work OF writ
Ing the leaders and providing for the
news editing or sub-edlting Of the lm-
perial news-sheet IL entrusted to tenn
porary editor who, as rule, Is
changed after each stockholders meet
Ing.
The permanent editor has the sole
right OF nominating his temporary adj
Junct, limited by the condition that he
must be a person who commands the
confidence OF the editorial council elect
ed by the stooks Oldera When he has
nominated him, he must submit 10 the
sovereign the names OF all those TO
whom he proposes TO give stan appoint
ments. To each " these the permanent
editor can, II he pleases take exception,
and to his objections the temporary edi-
tor must listen respectfully. He Is not
bound TO respect the permanent edl-
tors objection, but for the sake OF
peace and good working he finds Il, as a
rule, better not to persist in nominating
anyone TO whom the king las a strong
sntipathy.
After he has completed his staff he Ii
allowed to edit the Realm on his own
lines, provided that he can keep his
stan IN harmony with his own views.
But each OF the more important heads
Of departments has opportunity OF per-
sonal access 10 the permanent editor,
and he has unlimited opportunity of
communicating either with the stan as
whole or with individual members.
Whatever he says must be listened 10
respectfully. Every memorandum ne
sends round must be read by every
minister; there IL no limit to his llber-
~ OF initiative IN council, or objection,
Wholesale or detail, 10 every Important
measure OF the administration. No'de-
cislon of the cabinet Il valid unless APP
proved by him. he has right 20 have
everything explained to him; every dis
patch OF any importance $4,000 In one
year It might bells sent to him, and
nothing Is concealed from him.
II Is obvious what a powerful position
the permanent editor occupies, The
mere right TO be consulted end have
the opportunity Of inspiring the tenn
porary STAFF, gives him a position Of
influence In the conduct Of the admin
istratlon immeasurably greater than
that of any temporary editor
But fhis is by no means all. The per-
manent editor by the mere fact OF be-
Ing permanent, speedily acquires a
prestige, an influence, and a store Of
experience which makes him more than
q match for any OF the temporary SANS
which run the Realm for periods of UNI
certain duration. The same perma-
hence OF office enables him to commu-
nicate conndentially with otngr perma,-
nents, whether In Germany, Austria or
Russia, In a way that II impossible 10
those outside the royal caste.
In the case Of the late queen. this in
nuence amounted 10 maximum, in
the case Of Edward VII II is. OF course,
reduced 10 almost a minimum. owing
TO her long continued service and I'M
rivaled experience, she had before she
died acquired position where influence !