New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-17
coutts Defeats the Duke of Atholl.

coutts Defeats the Duke of Atholl.
Francis Coutts, whose contest with the
Duke Of Athou for the ancient and long
dormant baronies Of Latimer. Scales and
Ealdesmere has been engaging the at
tsntion OF the Committee Of Privileges OF
the House Of Lords during the last few
weeks, and whose claim has just been
recognized by the committee, is the mated
nephew and principal heir of the late
Baroness Burdett-Coutts, through whom
he is the dominant shareholder in ~outts S
Bank, where George V. like Edward VII
and Queen Victoria before him. keeps
his money. If Francis Coutts was dis
liked by his aunt, who left away from
him every vestige OF property she could
IL was owing 10 her quarrel with ms
mother the late Mrs. MOncy-Coutts. The
TWO sisters got on very we'll together TIL
Lady Burdett-Coutts married, in 1851. the
Brooklyn born William Ashmead Bart
lett now William Ashmead Bartlett Bur
6etI-Coutts Mrs. Money-Coutts opposed
this union in the most downright manner
and treated her sister to such plain
speech regarding her proposed marriage
10 2 man young enough 10 be her grand
son that all relations were broken on.
Ms Money-Coutts predeceased the bar
mess, and II her son Francis Inherited
bis aunts fortune it was by virtue OF
the will Of Harriet, Duchess Of 81. AL
hans whose first husband. Tom Coutts.
had left everything he owned TO his
WIDOW. The duchess, a former actress,
born TO the name of Mellon. left nothing
10 the heirs Of her second husband Ghe
Duke OF ST. Adams, who had failed TO
treat her with proper consideration, but
bcqgea;hed her fortune to the younger OF
the two granddaughters Of old Tom
Coutts. Angela Burdett, on the under
standing that she should assume the
name OF Coutts in addition TO her own
and that If she left no issue the property
should 60 TO the elder sister, Clara Bur
d4tt who married a Clergyman named
Money. whose son Is the present Francis
Money-Coutts. He, like the Duke Of
Athou. claims the Barony Of Latimer'
which was created by Edward I end
which fell into allegiance In 1857 by the
death without male issue OF John Mel
vile. last Lord Latimer. through descent
from one Of the latter's daughters The
eighth Earl Of Northumberland, who mar
r.ed one Of them, went 80 far as 10 as
sumo his fatheT-in-law titles without
warrant or right. His son, the ninth earl,
was afterwaYd compelled TO surrender
them. His claim, however, persisted, ana
- no .
Of Northumberland 10 his granddaughter
the present Duke of Athol. Experts IN
genealogy insist on the superiority OF
Francis Coutts's claim to the barony as
being more direct and clear. Recognizing
this. the Committee of Privileges Of the
House of Lords has decided In his favor
and as the sovereign usually follows the
recommendations of the committee
though not compelled TO do SO, IT is prac-
tically assured that Francis Coutts, who
failed OF election 70 the House Of Com
mons. will find a seat In the House of
Lords as Lord Latimer.
Treaties Superior to Laws.
Treaties duly made and ratified by the
President and the Senate OF the United
States are, according to the Constitution
declared to be 1.-The supreme law OF the
land" If the treaty in question runs
counter to existing legislation OF either
country, then that legislation must be
modified 10 conform with the treaty. In
1876, after the commercial treaty with
England, the question was raised as 10
whether II was necessary TO pass bill
modifying American revenue laws, 80 az
10 conform 70 the treaty stipulauons, or
whether the treaty, a. the supreme la"
Of the land" Itself operated "proprio VI
gore" The point was solved by th'
passage Of declatCry act O.. 5. Statutes
o. Large. Vol III, c. S5D, emphasizing
the fact that the terms OF the treaty gu
perseded the pre-exlsting revenue laws
il is necessary 10 recall this, in con-
rel,lon with the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
now 10 the fore on account Oh the I'M
pending legislation at Washington VIII
regard to the Panama Canal, and TO bear
IN mind that the treaty In question must
absolutely govern all projected legisla'
ton. and at the same time must be re-
garded as superseding all former Ameri'
can shipping laws in any point where
these may be in conflict with the treaty
Supulations
II refer 10 this matter at all II Is be-
cause the action Of Great Britain In tax
Ing exception TO certain points OF cana
legislation now under consideration ~
Violations Of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
Is just at present the all-sbsorbing topic
o. the hour. 1t is a matter which IN GER
tain eventualities is calculated TO anec'
unpleasantly the relations OF the United
states with all maritime powers, whose
interests are identical with those Of Eng
land
Every foreign nation appreciates tine
TACT that the great waterway VIII owe
~ existence TO American enterprise aho
american money and that therefore th'
United States has a right 10 demand any
"ls 1t pleases from ships using IT, II
"aer 70 obtain some return for the vas'
Vouay involved I'm its construction. Bu'
mat all powers demand is that tner'
'n4h be no discrimination.
penunclatOn Of the Hay-Pauncefotc
L. at ell q 1