Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-02-13
Of King Edwards Sec
ond Parliament Begins.
Opened By King With Usual
Imposing Ceremony,
Many Topics OF Interest Touched
On In Speech From Throne.

tlil ItI-,-i. n "a II PROMISES 10 De very
importan. :r 4 ",.'t@,rg":c" of the pro-
jccted Liberal ;.ttlck On NE House of
Lords, and the Introduction of an in
Stallment Of home rule for ireland.
Was opened by King Edward this after
noon with the usual imposing ceremo-
ny
The King and Queen. in the historic
golden coach, participated in the usual
state procession from Buckingham
Palace to the House of Lords.
The route was lined by troops and
despite the drizzling rain and cold
weather considerable crowds occupied
all the points OF vantage and gave
Their MajeStieS Il hearty reception. The
great officers Of state awaited the King
At the Victoria tower entrance Of the
House Of Lords, whence the robing
room was reached The King having
dOnncd the royal robes over his field
malShafs uniform. Il procession was
formed and made its way into the up
per House which was brilliantly lit up
by elcctroliers AS the horalds anG
ether state officers heading the process
sion entered the House, the whole bril-
liant gathering therein rose to greet
Their MajestieS. The House was filled
10 its capacity and the asSemblaSe of
members OF the royal family. of peers
robed in scarlet and ermina and peer
eSseS respondent in court dresses, for
eiSn diplOmatiSts. among whom We're
Ambassador Whitellw Reid and Sec
rotary Carter; church dignitarins.
judges. and officers of the navy and
army, all in gala uniform OF clad in the
vari-c oored robes of their office. facing
the King and Queen, who We're seated
on their thrones. combined to form Il
scene which was medieval in its pic
turesqueness. Ranged on the steps of
the throne. on either side of the King.
stood the Earl Of Crewe. Lord Prosi-
dent Of the Council. bearing the impe-
rial crown: the Earl of CarrinSto
Joint hereditary lord great chamberlain
Of England, carrying the sword of
state and the Marquis of Winchestcrm.
premier marquis of England. with the
cap of maintenance in his hands and
all the other state digntaries.
The members Of the House of Com
mons having been summoned to attend
the House of Lords. the lord high chan
cei!or, Lord Lorcburn, kneelng, handed
the King the speech from the throne.
which His Majesty read.
The document foreshadowcd 4 full and
busy session devoted 10 Ireland. army
reform and temperance. apart from til ,
OverShadOwicg que stiOp of the House of
Lords After the usual reference to the
good relations prevailing between Grea :
britain and the other powers, the speech
d"plored the loss of life and destruction
of property resulting from the earth
quake at Kingston.
II have seer with satisfaction" sail
the King. that the emergency has been
n ct by the governor and his officers with
courage and by the people with self-con-
troll. The occasion has called forth many
proofs of practical goodwill from all
parts Of my empire and I recognize with
sincere gratitude the sympathy shown by
the people of the United States and tho
assistance promptly offered by their IA
val authorities"
A cOngratula tory reference to the visit
to India Of tho Amecr OF Afehanistan
was followed by the intimatioE that
while guarding the unity of tho execu-
tive power unimDaircd,' some changes
in the governmental methods Of India
were under consideration, bringing them
more in accordance with the wishes Of
the natives.
Then came 2 guarded reference to the
question in minds of His Majesty's hear
ers. 1t was addressed both to my lords
and the gentlemen of the House of
Commons
Serious questions" said the King. "af-
fecting the working Of our parliamentary
system have arisen from the unfortunate
differences between the two houses. Ny
ministers have this important subject I'M
der consideration with the view of a so
luton Of the difficulty
The rest of the speech was devoted to
the proposed licensing bill, the object
of which is to diminish the drink evils.
proposals for army improvements ana
Irish local government and educational
questions and = number Of minor meas
IirrS. Including the establishment of
court Of criminal appeal
On the Irish question the King SAID:
Your attention will be called 10 meas
urcs for further associating the people
Of Ireland with the management of their
domestic affairs and otherwise improving
their system of government in its adj
ministrative and financial aspects Pro-
rosals will also be submitted to YOU for
offecting q form of university education
in Ireland by which trust that the dir
Cultias which have 50 long rctartcd high
er education in that county may be re-
moved"
Among the domestic legislation fore
shadowed in the speech was bill
enabling womcr to serve on local bod
les" evidently inc nded az a sop to tn,
woman suftragists. The procession then
returned to the rob!ng room and the
ceremony ended.
The House of Commons assembled for
mally for a brief period after the read
ing Of the speech from the throne and
then adjourned until p. NJ. when the
debate on the address in rnly to the
speech commenced.