The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-12-04
LORDS DEFY COMMONS,
HOUSE OF LORDS TAKES BUDGET
TO PEOPLE.
After Six Days Debate Upper Cham
ber Creates Situation Unprecedent-
ed i'm 800 Years by Opposing Will
OF House.

London, Nov. SO.--In the sedate,
detached manner characteristic of
proceedings in the gilded chamber,
and In direct disregard Of the advice
of some of it's ablest and oldest mem
bers, such as Lord Rosebery, Lord
Morley, Lord James Of Hereford,
Lord Cromer, Lord Balfour of Bur-
leigh, the Earl of Lytton. Lord Court
ney and the Archbishops of Canter-
bury and York, the house of lords
today created a situation unpreced-
ented in English history. at least in
500 years, by refusing formal assent
to the budget bill and referring it
to the country itself for Judgment,
thereby in theory making 1t illegal to
collect taxes to carry on the kings
government.
After six days debate, notable for
the high standard of the oratory, as
we'll as for the able and convincing
arguments arrayed on both sides for
and against the budget. and placing
In every possible light the aspects of
the great constitutional questions in
volved, the house Of lords cleared for
division at half past II o'clock to-
night. The scene was impressive,
but in no sense exciting. None would
have supposed that the event pro-
ceeding was destined not only to
prove memorable in the annals in
British history, but possibly also in
volving far reaching changes in the
British constitution.
There certainly was unusual ami
nation in the public galleries, which
were crowded with peeresses. men,
bers Of the house of commons, am
bassadors and others. but in the
house itself complete calm prevail
~ =, z N. .s.s,.s.s4
& Tss vsts waa = on Aord 4, Lanaes-
lpxn ntsend,[ & lsthe house ia usps
Jt<segD Nj .sOi1Henf
to the bill until It had been submit
ted to the Judgment of the country.
When the vote was announced Just
before midnight at $50 to rs in favor
of the amendment, a few mixed
cheers were heard The Earl of
Crewe Immediately moved an ad-
journment, and the house rose. An
eager and expectant crowd were
awaiting the result in the central
hall, and when the figures Of the vote
became known there was a slight at
tempt at counterdemonstratio The
officials, however. speedily cleared
the hall.
When division was taken there
was practically no excitement in the
streets although earlier in evening
considerable crowds gathered in the
vicinity of the house and attempted
pro-budget demonstration. A large
force Of police was in readiness, and
dency to become unmanageable, the
officers dispersed the demonstrators,
being assisted in this task by heavy
rainfall.
The days debate was again dis
tinguished by oratorical excellence.
particularly the speeches of Lord
Curzon of Kedleston, former viceroy
of India, and the Archbishop Of York,
both Of which were of exceptional
brilliance.
The archbishop strongly opposed
Lord Lansdowne's resolution, dec.ar-
ing that it would be unprecedented
for the lords to reject finance bill
passed by the house of commons,
with such a majority.
Lord Curzon was painly suffering
from his recent indispostion, but in
spite Of physical weakness, he spoke
with all his accustomed vigor and
art. He maintained that the lords
had an absolute right to reject the
finance bill.
Earl Cawdor, former first lord Of
the admiralty, who wound up the de-
bate for the opposition, maintained
that there had been an attempt to
evade the lords ancient right to reject
such tax by placing all taxes on one
bill. 1t was idle to pretend, he said,
that such a change Of procedure by
the house Of commons could affect
one iota the responsibilities and du-
ties OF the second chamber.
FLORENCE TO HAVE X. II. Y, M.
G.. A.