The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-12
HEAR FROM KING.
British Ruler Thanks America
for Help at Kingston.
Speech at the Opening of Par
Lament To-day.
FOUND NO GUNPOWDER
Search of Vaults Made By Yeo-
men of the Guard.
New Members I'm Wild Scramble
for Seats.
FOUND NO GUNPOWDER

London, Feb. 12.-That the mem
bers of the house of commons regard
the political situation as being espe-
cially interesting was evidenced by the
keenness shown to secure good seats
for the opening of parliament today.
On the stroke of midnight the COM
petition began and thereafter a steady
stream of members visited the house
of commons and placed their cards in
the places they had selected.
Later in the morning the customary
search of the vaults of the houses of
parliament was carried out by the
yeomen of the guard from the tower
ofssLsondon sssithouts&shessdisce
anything pointing to a repetition of
the gunpowder plot. Large crowds
gathered within the precincts of par
lament TO witness the arrival of the
distinguished personages.
The second session of the second
parliament of the present reign, which
promises to be full OF interest and i'm
portance as a consequence of the pro-
jected liberal attack on the house of
lords and the identification of an in
stallment of home rule for Ireland
was opened by King Edward this
afternoon with the imposing cere-
monies which have attended these
The speech from the throne fore
Swallowed a full and busy session de-
voted to Ireland. army reform and
temperance apart from the overshad-
owing question of the house of lords
After the usual reference to the
good relationship prevailing between
Great Britain and the other powers
the speech deplored the loss of life
and destruction of property resulting
from the earthquake at Kingston.
Il have seen with satisfaction" said
the king, that the emergency has
been met by the government and his
officers with courage and devotion and
by the people with selfcontroI The
occasion has called forth many proofs
of practical good will from all parts
of my country and 1 recognize with
sincere gratitude the sympathy shown
by the people of the United States and
their authorities"
A congratulatory reference to the
visit to India of the ameer of Afghan
fstan was followed by the intfmation
that while guarding the unity of the
executive power unimpaired" some
changes IN the governmental methods
of India we're under consideration
bringing them more .n accordance
with the wishes of the natives. Then
came a guarded reference to the oues-
ton uppermost in the minds of his
matesty's hearers. 1t was addressed
to both my lords and the gentle
men OF the public of commons
Serious questions" said the king.
affecting the working of our parlia-
mentary system have arisen from our
unfortunate differences between the
two houses My ministers have this
important subject under consideration
with the view of q solution OF the diff
enlty."
The rest of the speech was devoted
to the proposed licensing bill. the OBJ
ject of which is to diminish the drink
evils: proposals for the Improvement
of the army organization. and Irish
local government and educational
questions and a number of minor
measures including the establishment
OF a court of criminal appeal. On the
Irish question the king said:
your attention will be called to
measures for furth er associating the
people of ireland with the manage