The San Francisco call., 1909-12-01
Assent to Tax RequisitiOn Re-
fused by Peers First Time
in 800 Years
Memorable Debate PrecedeS the
Vote in Upper House on the
LansdOwne Amendment
Archbishop OF York, in Maiden
Effort, In Vain Tries to
Prevent Rejection
Asquith Declares That Parlia-
ment Will Be ProrOgued
and Issue Submitted

dlu iccuC OuUl1AtLSQ
r ONDON, Nov. 3O.-The house
| of lords, for the first time in
- 800 years, refused its formal as
sent to the budget. thereby making it
illegal for the kings agent to collect
taxes with which to carry on the gov
ernment
This action of the peers was taken
in direct disregard of the advice of
such able members as Rosebery, Nor
ley, Lord James of Hereford, Lord
Cromer, Lord Balfour of Burleigh.
the Earl of Lytton, Lord Courtney
and the archibishops of Canterbury
and York
Country to Decide
The budget will now go before the
country for its approval or rejection;
that is, the crown, through the min
istry, will dissolve the house of COM
mons and order a general election
Whether the present liberal house
and ministry shall be sustained in in
sisting on the budget will be the issue
in the contest at the polls
After six days debate, notable for
the high standard of the oratory. as
we'll as for arguments for and against
the budget and placing in every pos
sible light the great constitutional
questions involved. the house of lords
cleared for division at half past IL
o'clock tonight
Memorable Scene
The scene was impressive. out in no
sense exciting, except that the house
was packed to it's utmost capacity. A
great array of strange faces was seen
on the benches. as numbers of peers
were present. who appear in the house
only in most exceptional cases.
None would have supposed that the
event was destined not only to prove
memorable in British history, but pos
sibly would involve far reaching
changes in the British constitution
Indeed, there was unusual anima-
tion in the public galleries. which were
crowded with peeresses, members Of
the house of commons and ambassa-
dors. But on the floor itself complete
calm prevailed.
Issue as Submitted
The vote was on Lord Lansdownes
amendment that the house was not
justified in giving its consent to the
bill until it had been submitted to tho
judgment of the country. Nearly 10
minutes were occupied in clearing the
house, tellers for division being Earle
Waldegrave, viscount Churchill, BaroR
Denman and Lord Colebrook-
When the vote was announced. just
before midnight. as $50 to 75 in favor
of the amendment. a few cheers were
heard The earl of Crewe Immediately
moved an adjournment of the house.
An eager crowd was waiting the
result in the central hall. and when the
vote became known there was a slight
attempt at a counter demonstration.
oficials, however. speedily cleared the
hall and in few minutes the lobbies
and precincts were empty.
Noted Leader Absent
1t is worthy of note that Lord ST.
Aldwyne. who, as Michael Hicks-Beach
was one of the ablest chanceIlors of
the exchequer of the conservative side.
has ostentatiously absented himself
from all debates on Lord Lansdowne's
resolution. and this morning he an
nounced his intention not to go to the
house for division. HIS abstentiOn was
due to disapproval Of Lord Lansdowne's
course, and. together with that of other
weighty conservative peers will have
great effect in the country Among
those peers who came down especially
to vote was the earl of wemyss and
March, who is in his ninety-seeond
year.
When division was taken there was
practically no excitement In the
streets. although earlier in the night
crowds gathered near the house and at
tempted probudget demonstration
Archbishop Speaks
The final debate was distinguished
by oratorica1 excellence. particularly
in the speeches of Lord Cnrzon OF
Kedlaston. former vfceroy of India, and
of the archbishop of York The arcn-
bishops speech was his maiden
enort in the house of lords and it's
eloquent periods. added to Doctor
Langs fine presence and beautiful
voice. made deep impression.
The archbishop strongly opposed