The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-06
Outcome of the Present Tan
gle Promises to Be Much
More Far-reaching Than
The Crisis of 1882.
DEATH KNELL OF THEN
LORDS is NOW HEARD
It Is Believed That Before
Long That Law Making
Body, in Its Present Form,
Will Be Disposed Of.
(American News Service)


London, Dec. 6.-England today
stands face to face with the greatest
political crisis in its history since
1882. as a result of the rejection of
the budget by the House of Lords, but
the outcome of the present one prem
ises to have more far-reaching effects
than that of its predecessor.
In the year the struggle between
the two bodies of the English Parlia-
ment arose over the reform bill. which
the lords rejected. New elections fol-
lowed, together with the formation Of
a new cabinet. but the struggle still
continued. resulting in the second res
ignation of the ministry.
A new cabinet was again formed.
and with the threat of increasing the
numbers in the cabinet, the lords were
frightened into withdrawing their op-
position and the great charter of 1882
received the royal assent.
In the minds of well-informed
statesmen, however, the action of the
house of lords in the present crisis
has sounded their death-knell as a
law making body, and the ultimate re-
suit will mean. it is believed, the elm
ination of that body from parliament
at least in its present form.
Composed Of Peerase.
Since the establishment of parlia-
ment. the people have had a voice IN
the election of members to the house
of commons. but the membership of
the house of lords is composed of the
whole peerage of England and of the
United Kingdom.
The English members, who compos-
ed the large majority, inherit their
seats with their titles. The Scottish
representatives, OF whom there arc
rarely more than a dozen are elected
for each parliament, while the score
or more Irish members are elected for
life.
While the greater legislative power
is supposed to be vested in the house
of commons, the peers have always
been in position to strangle any leg
islation inimical to their interests
which originated in the lower body.
| This they have done from time to
time-one of the most notable i'll
stances being the rejection of Glad
stones measure for home rule sixteen
years ago.
Far More Serious.
Their present action, however, is
| far more serious. The budget is the
government measure which provides
for the raising of funds by taxation to
carry on the work of the government
1t is the duty of the house of commons
to make this assessment.
Fully aware of the serious situation
which would arise by rejecting the
budget outright, the lords adopted the
amendment offered by Lord Lsns
downe, which provided that this bill
should first be referred to the people
for their judgment. This move would
practically make it illegal for the
commons to collect taxes
1t is now the common belief that
another body will be established in
parliament in place of the house ol
lords. its members to be elected in a
similar manner of those of the lower
body, thus making them responsible
to their constituents when the time
for reelection comes around.
| The present budget was prepared
by Lloyd George, chancellor of the
exechequor. and was designed t.
make the wealthy bear the chief bur
den of taxation. 1t was considered
the most radical finance bill ever IN
troduced in the British parliament
Besides a large income and inheri
tance taxes, it proposed revaluation
of the land holders by millions.
Had to Reject II.
As the majority of the members ol
the house of lords are owners Of vast
estates this portion of the measure
was exceedingly obnoxious, the onl,
course left was to reject it
| The history of the budget covers z
period of seven months, during which
the opponents and supporters of ths
measure INDUCED in all sorts of Will
flying speeches. creating such a ser
lious situation that King Edward was
finally forced to take a hand and com
pei them to desist-
When David Lloyd-George bega-
the preparation of the budget las
spring. he had a deficit of $7S,S10, 900
for dreadnaughts. Speculation wa!
rife for many days as to how thi.
mild-mannered gentleman was u
solve this serious problem
/ On April % his budget was present
ed to the house OF commons. an:
when its provisions were published
lit was denounced by the wealthie