Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-01-05
HOUSE OF LORDS
IS AT STAKE
british Government is APP
preaching Most Serious CFi-
sis In it's History

LONDON, Jan. 5.-Political de
yelopments of the last few days have
shown conclusively that England il
approaching the most startling crisis
II has known in three quarters of 3
century. The existence of the house
of lords is at stake. No such impor-
tant constitutional issue has been
raised in Great Britain since 1882,
when the right of franchise previous
" based strictly on property qualifi-
cations, was made practically uniyer-
sal.
The lords have been attacked be-
= fore, but never very seriously. 1t
looks now as if their years-if not
4 their days-as legislative body, are
numbered. Ending the English sys-
TEN of hereditary law making will
involve pratical reconstruction of the
cOuntry's constitution.
Nine out of ten Englishmen have
long regarded the peers as a foolish
anachronism Bound as the nation
is, to precendent, however, it has
been hard to inaugurate a vigorous
movement toward reform. At least
the liberals dominent British
party-have declared that they will
never rest until some form of elect
I've upper house of parliament is sub
Stituted for the present hereditary
one. For three years the liberals
have been in Office with an over
Rhelming majority in the house of
commons. Allowing for all possible
nominations against them, they have
approximately one hundred on any
party issue. But despite their num-
erical superiority they have been
practically impotent. The peers have
'hWaFted them at every turn.
Tle two houses are far from bear
ing toward one another the relation
mat exists between the two branches
Of the United States congress. Only
'ae commons are representatives of
me people. The lords represent
nothng beyond the narrow interests
d the British aristocracy and mon
eyed class. The liberals view is that
! BODY so constituted should yield to
me plainly expressed wishes of the
masses even though they may some
lules De called on to lay aside their
own political. personal and financial
pFejudiees.
III next April's budget the bill pro-
'uins governmental appropriations
ana tax levies to meet them. will be
several clauses it is considered. GER
AN tne lords will never willingly sub
nit too.
one VIII specify a tax of as high
: IA per cent on all excessively
law incomes. A second will give
- s'aee 70 per cent of large estates
!. ~ me death of their owners. A
.airo viii tax land values so heavily
.AA' Inc holding of extensive unim-
nv LIVED tracts will be rendered impos-
= ''Ole. A fourth will require a LIQUOR
y ease fee sufficient to drive one
:, OF the saloons in England out
Az 1'iness and to bring in $4,000
w IN revenues. The measure win
: purosely designed to bear heavily
me class the peers represent.
Ae British constitution allows the
s ,U'0s to do one of two things with a
.. e bill. They may reject it or
g. without alteration. No
- IN any of its provisions are
: 4i'ted. Whether they win pass
Az y not no one yet knows. To re.
ar. WI mean the stopping of all
n. shees for the army, navy and
~, eivil service. To think Of the
.no., ''SAlns such a step appears al
s,,,v' ridiculous as the other alter
..soa, which ever course they may
b. - VII be followed Immediately
MA, e cabinets resignation. the dis
!, III OF parliament and a call for
20 election. The issue win be
s. Of the house Of lords.
Se wants to abolish the lords.
CONTINUED on Pa1o