The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-07
BY LA MAnauIsr DE FoNrENoY.

:
TT Lord Elibank has been created a
Niscount OF The United Kingdom, IN
i connection with King George
coronation, ii is primarily with the
Master OF Elibank. from political ex-
tlnction on his, Lord Elibanks death
indeed. an Irish member friendly to the
present government, namely John G.
S. Mcneil. introduced some two years
ago, without success, a bill designed to
remove the disability from which the
Master of Elibdnk would have suffered
on succeeding TO his fathers honors
had it not been for the viscounty jus.
bestowed on the old peer.
The Barony CT Elibank Is a Scotch
one, and although Irish peers who have
not teen elected by their fellow peers
OF Erin Tor life, as their representatives
In the House OF Lords. are allowed TO
SIT Cor English, Scotch and Welsh con-
stituencies in The House OF Commons
Though debnrred from irish constlt-
to Scotch peers who have not been
elected to represent the Scotch poor
age in the upper chamber. The crown
mas been deprived OF the right of Great
two centuries ago. although several
dormant Scotch dIgnities have been
called into existence. The consequence
Is that many Scotch pecrages have
despite the descent OF number OF them
IN tho female as we'll as in the male
line. gone out OF existence. There are
but eighty-siX left. all told. who have
the right OF clacting sixteen of their
Aumber at the beginning OF each new
Parhamehi, to represent them in the
House OF Lords. or these ciehty-slx
there are Atty who are also holders
OF English peerages, or of peerages OF
the United Kingdom. in virtue OF which
they have seats In the House or LORDS
or the remaining thirty-six there are
sixteen who are representative peers.
leaving twenty who are thus excluded
from both Houses OF Parliament
This score OF titled unfortuna;es are.
with one exception, all Liberals. and
owing 10 the fact that the Tories and
Liberal Unionists have an overwhelm-
Ing majority at the elections AT Holy
ROOD. no Liberal peer is over chosen
TO represent the Scottish pecragc in
the House Of Lords II the Master of
Elibank had therefore succeeded TO his
iother's scotch honors. as eleventh
baron Of his line. and as lineal de-
scencant of that Andrew Murray OF
Blackbarry who fell at Flodden. he
would have been virtually excluded
from tina, political life in which he is
50 dccplH interested, through his being
barred both from the House o. Com
mons and from the House OF Lords
mad not the crown Just bestowed upon
ms father viscOunty OF tho United
Kingdom, carrying with II a seat In
the upper chamber. in addition to his
Scotch hon0rs.
The Master of EIibank is tho senior
government whip, and also tho so call
ed patronage Secretary OF the Treasury
AS the latter, he has tho chief voice
IN tho distribution of the patronage OF
the administration, and virtually makes
al! the nominations of the rewards
titular and otherwise. for party ser
vices AS principal government whip
nc is Entrusted with the duty OF see.
Ing that there are always enough mem
bers OF Parliament within reach 10
assure the government OF n majority
OF division. In this he IS aided by
the Junior Lords of the Treasury, who
act as assistant whips, and who take
upon themselves the duties of tellers
In divisions AS chief whip. the Master
OF Eltbank has likewise to see that the
rank and file OF the members arc kept
IN good humor. and are not in any
way soured by the administration; and
among his multfarious duties is that
OF arranging that the wives and
daughters of members are invited to
the political parties OF the great ladies'
and hostesses OF the Liberal admins
tration.
The present Lord El!bank Is tho tenth
peer of his line. and q retired captain
OF the royal navy. The first Lord Elf.
the reign OF Charles l., and showed his
gratitude by subsequently taking his
stand among the six Scotch peers who
strenucusly opposed the surrender Of
the Inflated monarch to the English
parliamentary forces. and TO his death
This first Lord Elibank had n sister
whose phenomenal ueiiness is still
commemorated in many Scottish
legend and poem She has come down