The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-11-30


Great Rritain and Ireland. Although
the issues have been fully discussed
during the life of the body just sent
home they are so multitudinous and
complex that few among even care
full readers could recall anything like
clear conception OF half of them,
| remarks the Detroit FHee Press. For
tunatcly for the student of British
politics. all but one of these issues
have been pushed to the rear during
the past two weeks, and that one
stands out clear and comprehensive
to all.
The British people will be asked to
decide whether or not they desire 10
abandon their ancient constitution of
the king. lords and commons, and go
on hereafter under the absolute pow
er of one sole chamber with practi-
cally omnipotent power. The lords
have offered a compromise In the form
of a scheme of reform of their own or
ganization. which would make the
body theoretically more representative
Of the people by a different method of
choosing its members. and a means
Iof settling deadlocks by joint sessions.
or, in case of questions of vital inn
portance, by a popular referendum.
The government has refused to listen
to any suggestion but its own plan to
reduce the upper house 70 substantial
nonentity, 10y making all bills passed
10Y the commons become law after
two years of disagreement
Americans cannot understand this
proposal by any analogy with our own
system, as, for instance, the abolition
or gripping of our senate. In the
latter case with the senate powerless
or non existent. the president would
still stand between the people and all
dangerous and impulsive acts of the
house Of representatives, which he
could postpone or defeat by his veto
Even if the president failed us, the
supreme court could, on the prayer OF
any aggrieved citizen, void the obnoN-
ious legislation where it traversed tho
constitution. Our senate is not abso-
llutely necessary for the preservation
of our liberties, and it was not des-
ignated for that purpose, but for the
protection of the rights of the states.
In Great Britain. on the other hand
all the rights Of the people are at the
mercy Of parliament which. as we
said is omnipotent, uncircumscribet
and unlimited by any writte2>eonsti'
tuition. The traditions and concep'
tons Of liberty which constitute the
British constitution may be said TO b'
in the hearts of the British people
and consist Of accomplished facts
They have had no other Safeguard
against impulsive invasion OF rights
BY legislation. but the sober second
Thought Of the lords, one element IL
whlch-the law lords-have, i'm way
lnerformed the same function as GU
guprene court by advising their col
leagues on vital points. Sweep these
away. and there is nothing left e
guard British liberty property an(
life but the good will and caprice of
single popularity chosen house whicl
may be the product Of the passinI
prejudice. or passion Of a temporar'
majority.
This fearful risk will not be lef
without explanation to the Englisl
people during the brief but arduou
campaign now begun. II Is alread
being made the. chief appeal to Eng
fish patriotism, and it will be de
uarture from English precedent If
does not succeed. All other ques
tions-tarin reform, education, LAM
taxes. even naval extension-becom
invisible in the storm which this issu
|. will raise in England, whatever ma
, happen In the smaller parts Of TN
United Kingdom.