New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-09-24
BUDGET AND VETO
Conflict Bet5ceeH HOuSeS-AppeaL
to the Country.
London. September -.


suspend the operation Of the budget Il will not
he because they have discovered any precedent
for interference with the taxing powers OF the
commons. but nOminally because new princi-
niles Of finance have been introduced and they
consider II necessary that there should be an
immediate appeal 10 the country as the primary
source OF political power. In place of usurpa-
zion OF functions in finance by an irresponsible
,,nner chamber there viii be championship of
the exclusive right Of the democracy 20 decide
nv a sort of referendum whether IT sanctions
che budget with the new principles The party
IN mower. which has been Boosting for three
ynontI,e that the budget Is a most popular meas
IRE and circulating more than million copies
Of Mr. Georges Lmehouse speech. will find II
difficult 10 evade a direct challenge 10 order a
general election and to discover whether the
country approves Of the new Liberalism and OF
its methods Of financing social reforms II the
more outspoken leaders. Mr. George ana MI
churchill are TO be believed, the electorate Is
IN hot haste 10 accept a challenge when WI.
enable the Liberal party 20 retain possession OF
-. stronghold Of mower for an indefinite period.
What objections can be reasonably offered TO a
referendum of this kind? Two are mentioned
ny nrorninent Liberals: First, that the LORDS
cannot be allowed 20 dictate either the time OF
the issue for the appeal 10 the country; aho'
second that the referendum must lncluoe the
,-o,o ,,ov-er as well as the budget itself. The
arst objection will be partially met II the Loros'
instead OF reviving claims usually considered I'M
constitutional and either amending or reoecuhs
the budget hang It up temporarily until inc
country can mass Judgment upon II. The govern
rnent's foremost measure will be singled out lOf
q special mandate from the electorate Inc
lords may, not exceed their constitutional rights
IN referring II to the country before sancuoning
n themselves and apparently the government,
while compelled TO choose between early dlssolu-
ton and financial disorder, viii have GROWING
opportunity for forcing the budget through by
the sovereign win Of the people and establish
ing the supremacy OF the Commons. The sus-
pensive resolution. II is true, VIII be evidence
that the Commons have allowed the right OF the
Lords 10 hold up financial policy and to limit
the duration OF Parliament, If not 10 bring the
government Of the day 10 end. 1t will be a
new departure in constitutional usage. II the
country goes against the government, the Lords
will obtain control over finance That is a priv
lege which they have not exercised for long
period. The late Lord Salisbury, Tory Of the
Tories, declared that they ought not to exercise
Il since they were not representative body but
virtually irresponsible. The Prime Minister can
make a strong argument against the suspensive
resolution. If he chooses to do So but that is
not the line which his Radical followers are
hoping that he viii take.
The main Liberal objection 20 the referendum
proposed by the Lords is that IL is not sufficiently
comprehensive. The suspensive resolution will
restrict IL 20 the budget. II the referendum can
be enlarged so as 70 include the veto power OF
the upper house on legislation enacted by the
Commons, Il is probable that the Liberal party
sWfIl welcome an opportunity for settling all old
scores with the Lords. A government which
secured in 1906 an overwhelming majority has
been held up and INSTRUCTED in its activities at
ever yturn by an irresponsible house committed
irrevocaby 10 the policies OF the opposite party.
ats plural voting. education. land reform, licens
tng and other measures have been rejected by
che Lords, and now the ancient right of the
Commons to levy taxes and to order the fnan-
Cial administration is challenged. The mandate
which the Liberal government needs is some
thing more than popular sanction Of the budget
with the new principles Of land taxation. II is
authority for making laws and governing the
country without the hindrances and restraints OF
the titled house The referendum, as all stout
hearted Radicals are now declaring with en-
phasis. must include the veto power as well as
the budget. and until the larger question be set
tied no Liberal Prime Minister assume with
dignity or self-respect the responsibilities OF
Office
Extremists on both sides are clamoring for the
intervention Of the general electorate, and mod
crate men are convinced that there is no alter
native course. The creation Of a large batch OF
peers, the passage OF the budget by royal war;
rant the negotiation OF a loan Of f5o.0o0,000 and
other makeshifts for legalizing financial legis-
laton OF averting the immediate consequences
81 shrinlage OF revenues and invaldation OF
taxes already collected are condemned by prac-
teal politicians as soon as the proposals
suggested. Il Is the democratic electorate alone
that can decide between the representative and
privileged houses when they are in conflict over
financial policy. AS the final court Of appeal il
can settle once for all not only the minor ques
tion OF Lae method OF financing social reforms,
but also the relations OF the legislative chambers
50 that they viii never again be pitted against
each other II remains 10 be whether either
the extremists or the moderate men on both
sides can agree upon the terms Of the referen-
dun. The militant Lords VIII want 20 restrict
the issue narrowly 10 the budget itself. and even
II the people decide against them. they will have
established the precedent for exercising control
over finance by suspensive resolution which rem
oers general election necessary. Lord Rosebery
viii prefer direct referendum against socialism.
while Lord Lansdowne and the majority OF the
Conservative peers may insist upon having the
electorate choose between the present budget
and tariff reform. The Prime Minister and the
radical HOtspurs. Mr.. George and Mr.. Churchill
viii not consent 70 have the referendum restrict
ed 20 the method of raising money. They will
take nothing short OF comprehensive decision
on the veto power, which is now a drag on Lib
eral legislation. II they succeed in the appeal
10 the country. they will want 20 follow up their
victory for land taxing with abolition of the
veto power.
sphinxlike Democracy. 10 whom ali parties and
e. ho