Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-07
BECAUSE OF VETO BILL
Advice to the King Characterized as
Violation of Constitution.
DENOUNCED AS CoNTEMPTIBLE
Saws It Is Hard to Conceive of Any
Politician Playing a
Meaner Part

LONDON August THE last phase
OF the fight over the veto bill, designed
to restrict the powers of the house Of
lords over legislation originating in the
lower chamber. was entered upon in
the house of commons this afternoon
when A. J. Balfour. leader of the op
position, moved a vote of censure for
the government.
The chamber was filed to its capacity.
Peers and distinguished strangers were
present in large numbers. The diplo-
matte and ladies galleries were filled,
the occupants including American Am
bassador Reid and other diplomats,
who showed by their presence con-
tinued interest in the proceedings.
which promise to be historic.
Mr. Balfour's motion. of which he
gave notice August 2. was as follows:
That the advice given his majesty by
his majesty's ministers. whereby they OBJ
tanned from his majesty pledge that
sufficient number Of peers should be Gre
ated TO pass the parliament bill in the
shape in which il left this house. is
gross violation of constitutional liberty,
By which, among other i'll consequences.
the people will be precluded from again
pronouncing upon the policy of home
rule "
Leaders Loudly Cheered.
The rival leaders were loudly cheered
as they entered the room. and Mr.. Bal
four received an ovation as he rose to
present his motion rebukiug the govern
ment. The former unionist premier en-
phasized that he was conscious of the
gravity of the situation and the serious
ness Of the step which ne asked the house
10 take. He thought that it would be ad-
mitted that never in all history had there
been more serious case or one which
more urgently deserved or. indeed, re-
quired the consideration of parliament
and the emphatic condemnation of the
ministers.
The ministers said Mr.. Balfour.
have grossly abused their rights of ad-
vising the crown and by abusing those
rights put themselves above the constitu-
ton. They have acted wholly without
precedent" not as Mr.. Balfour conceived
in order to meet any great question of
state, but ''in order to further a party ar
rangement between different sections who
support them in order to prevent the
people Of the country from pronouncigg
their opinion on home rule
King in Cruel Position.
Tie unionist leader asserted that the
ministry had placed the sovereign, who
had just come to the throne, in a cruel
position. The king was fount Of honor,
but the government, by its advice, had
poisoned and corrupted the stream at its
source He dubbed the proposed new
peers 'supers in this sordid drama"
Mr.. Balfour declared that il would be
difficult to conceive of any politician play
ing meaner or more contemplate part
He contended that the question Of home
rule Lad never been before the country
throughout the controversy There was
not the slightest justification for the
creatlo nof peers to enable the gov
ernment to carry it through both houses
without reference to the people 1t
was contrary to all opinions of constitu-
tional legislative chambers to put both
chambers in the hands of the executive
to manipulate as they liked. and it was .
wholly unconstitutional method of deal
ing with deadlocks for the prime minis
ter to advise the king to pack the upper
house with hired voters Mr.. Balfour
concluded with the prophecy that the
country would soon let the radicals know
that il would not allow a repetition of
''the crime of 19l1.'
Welcomed by Premier.
Premier Asquith appeared in his best
form when he stood up to reply. Jeering-
ly he thanked Mr.. Balfour for 'this op-
perfume though unexpected motion. 1t
was the very thing that the government
wanted In few sentences the prime
minister dispelled the fog by which the
circumstances under which he had OBJ
tanned the guarantees from the king had
been persistently obscured by the opposi-
ton
1t was nay strong hope and belief he
said, That the lords would accept the
bill and only when that hope was frus-
trated, as it was last month, when his
majesty was asked and consented, II IL
was necessary. to exercise his preroga-
tive. We took the only course consistent
with honor and q true regard for the dig
nifty OF the crown.
"rhe course was correct, considerate and
constitutional and in my own name and
in those OF my colleagu 1 am perfectly
content TO accept the decision OF the
house apd of my fellow-countrymen in
regard thereto"
Mr.. Asquth told the house that IL was
a. the kings expressed desire that he
disclosed the communication which had
pAssed between them, so there should be
no mystery and no Misunderstanding Of
perfectly simple and correct transac-
lion. He stated that his intention to ask
for guarantees in certain eventualities
l,ad been communicated to King Edward
first April ID, 1910. Mr.. AsQuith con-
cluded by maintaining that the only
method Of dealing with the situation
was through the use Of the royal preoga-
tive.
II hold my ONCE" he added, mot only
by the favor of the crown, but on behalf
OF tbs people. and l should be guilty
indeed of treason II at the supreme mo-
ment OF great struggle I were to betray
their trrst."
TWO KILLEO IN WRECK.