The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-06
WAS
FORMALLY OPENED
Impressive Ceremonies Mark
ed the Event, King De-
livering Address.
(Amcrican News Service)

tAmerican News Service)
London. Feb. 6.-The royal stand
ard and the union jack of old England
tugged and tore in the brisk wind
from the spires of the houses of par
Lament this morning in silent token
of the fact that the day designated
for the reassembling of parliament
had arrived. The usual crowds began
to assemble outside the gates of West
minister palace yard at an early hour,
and by noon several thousand people
were massed about the outer entrance
of the legislative chamber The
crowds which lined the route from
Buckingham palace to Westminster,
to view the royal procession. also
were unusually large. Guardsmen,
assisted by hundreds of police, kept
the spectators back, but they had lit
tie to do.
In view of the stirring national is
sues with which the speech from the
throne was bound to deal the pictur-
esque ceremony in the house of lords
was never attended with more glamor
and splendor. The ceremony was in
strict accordance with precedent. The
procession to the chamber was of the
same character as on similar occa-
sions of the past, and within was seen
the same state pageantry, historic
dresses. and revival of ancient forms.
After robing. King George and Queen
occupied their thrones. beneath
canopy, with the great officers of state
clustered about them.
Directly the royal couple took their
places the king said Pray be seated"
and then followed an interval while
Black Rod summoned members of the
house of commons. Lord LOreburn,
Lord high Chancellor. then approach
ed the throne, and on Bonded knee
handed his majesty a copy of the
speech. The king put his cooked hat
on his head. and while seated read the
speech in loud, clear tone. amid in
tense silence. At the conclusion of
the speech. the king arose and, giving
his hand to the queen. descended the
throne. and the ceremony came to an
end. Unusual haste was shown by
those present to leave the precincts
of the chamber. as if anxious to dis
cuss the effects OF the official pro-
nouncements
A Momentous Session.
The present session of parliament
is expected to be one of the most mo-
mentous in the modern history of the
United Kingdom. This expectation ap-
pears certain of realization if the pre-
sent program of the government coali-
ton is carried out, and that this will
be done. or at any rate will be at
tempted, there is full reason to be-
lieve.
The government regards the result
of the late election as popular man
date for it to proceed vigorously with
the policy it adopted in the last par
lament. It has moreover. not only
majority sufficient to enable it to do
so. but also majority requiring it to
do SO.
How far the government will be
able to get with it's program is a
matter of much speculation. 1t is
hoped that all contentious measures,
if not all the business of the session
will be disposed of before the corona
ton. which is to take place the lat
ter part of June. But to do that will
require an extraordinary expedition of
business. There will necessarily be
a debate on the address, lasting two
or three days. Immediately thereafter
the government intends to introduce
it's bill for the abolition of the veto
power of the lords. In addition to
this there are several other important
matters that will require much time.
The manner in which the anti-veto
bill will be dealt with is already q
subject of keen discussion. Before
the election it was declared by the
highest government authorities that
the bill must be passed letter perfect
without the slightest amendment.
That declaration served as good cam
paign material, but whether it will
be strictly adhered to is doubtful 1t
is regarded as more than likely that
spirit of concession and comprom.
Use will prevail.
But even IL compromise on the
anti-veto bill is promptly affected the
session is bound to be epoch taking
in the history of Westminster. 1t will
almost certainly mark the passing
away of purely hereditary privilege in
British law making. the reconstitu-
ton of the upper chamber either in
actual composition or in essential
functions. and the readjustment of re-