East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-12-01

London, Dec. 1.-The house of
lords last night for the first time In
500 years refused its formal assent to
the budget, thereby making II illegal
TOT the kings agents to collect taxes
with which TO carry on the govern
ment.
This action of the peers was taken
III direct disregard Of the advice of
such able members of Roseberrv.
Lord James of Hereford. Lord era
mer, Lord Balfour of Burleigh the
Earl OF Lytton, Lord Courtney and
the archbishop of Canterbury and of
York.
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 n general election.
whether the present liberal house ana
ministry shall be sustained in insist
ing on the budget will be the issue In
the contest at the pole.
After six days debate. notable FOR
the high standard of the oratory as
well as for arguments for and against
the budget and placing in every possi-
BILE light the great constitutional
questions involved the house OF lords
cleared for division at 1880 o'clock
last night.
The scene was impressive, but in no
sense exciting, except that the house
was packed to its utmost capacity.
y great array of strange faces was
seen on the benches, as numbers OF
peers were present who seldom ap-
peared in the house.
Event Memorable One
None would have supposed that the
event proceeding was destined not
only to prove memorable in the annals
OF British history. but possibly would
involve far-reaching changes i'm the
British constitution. Indeed. there
was unusual animation in the public
galleries. which were crowded with
peeresses, members of the house of
commons and ambassadors. But on
the floor itself complete calm pre-
vailed.
The vote was on Lord Lansdowne's
amendment that the house was not
justified in giving its consent to the
bill until it had been submitted to
the judgment of the country. Near
" IS minutes were occupied In clear
ing the house, tellers for division be-
ing Earl Waldegrave, Viscount Chur-
chill. Baron Denman and Lord Cole
brook.
When the vote was announced, just
before midnight. as $50 to rs in favor
of the amendment n few cheers were
heard. The Earl of Crewe immedi-
ately moved an adjournment and the
house rose.
An eager crowd was awaiting the
result in the central hall. and when
the vote became known there was n
slight attempt at counter demonstra-
ton. Officials however, speedily
cleared the hall, and in few min
utes the lobby and precincts were
empty.
1t is worthy of note that Lord st,
Aldwyne. who. as Micuavi Hicks
Beach. was one of the ablest chan
cellors of the eXchequer OF the con-
servative side, has ostenIauously alb
scntcd himself from all debates on
Lord I.ansdowne's resolution, and yes
tcrday morning he announced his IN
tention not to go to the house for
division.
Disapprovcs Lansdowne's Course.
His abstention was due to dsap-
proval of Lord Lansdawne's course,
and. together with that of other con-
servative peers. will have great effect
in the counry Among those peers
who came down especially to vote
was the Earl of Wemyss and March,
who Is in his 92nd year. When di-
vision was taken there was practically
no excitement in the streets, although
earlier in the night crowds gathered
near the house and attempted a pro-
budget demonstration. A force of
police was in readiness and as soon
as the crowd showed a tendency TO
become unmanagable, they dispersed
the demonstrators, being assisted by
q heavy rainfall.
The final debate was distinguished
by oratorical excellence, particularly
In the speeches of Lord Curzon of
Kedleston, former viceroy of India,
and of the Archbishop of York. The
archbishop's speech was his maiden
effort in the house of lords and its
eloquent periods added to DR.. Lang's
fine presence and beautiful voice,