South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-12
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POLITICIANS BUY
BRITISH TITLES?
Contributions to Party Funds
instrumental in Obtaining
HonorS, is Charge.

LONDON, nov. Assertions that
British niles have been obtained by
payments to party funds and By con-
-butlOus o. public purposes have
onr been made. but statements OF
acts and names by responsible men
ID public have not been heard until
he recent discussion in the house of
ords by the earl of Loreburn. form
~ lord chancellor and the earl Of
seIborne. a former cabinet minis
or
The bestowal Of two peerases re-
emily. with seats Ia the house Of
ords which appertain 20 them, has
fingered some OF the inner circle Of
hat body who consider that its
status has been cheapened The
names of the two new peers cannot
BE- given. although they can be heard
the gossip OF any London club or
lrawing room
The resolution which Lord Lore
1urn introduced. and which was
adopted without a vote. provides that
when any honor is bestowed upon
others than members Of the royal
smily. Of the army and navy. or
.ivil service. there shall be a pu bile
statement OF the reasons. Also that
he prime minister's recommending
any honors TO the king shall state
hat no payments 20 party funds are
associated with the honor.
Party Funds Kept From Public.
The party funds OF British pol.ti-
.aI parties are a sealed book 10 the
public. only a very small circle of
he managers of the party machine
snow anything about them But il
s. asserted that one prolific source
Il revenue for the party in power
las been the comforting of titles Of
nobility upon rich men, and an uu-
lerstood custom that a generous
Inscription 20 the party fund should
&c forthcoming in such cases,
The earl of Selborne gave some
Examples OF deals that had failed.
sir James GHdea, the founder Of the
soldiers and Sailors Families asso-
iation, ne said. had authorized the
tatement that on three occasions ne
lad been approached 10 act as go
1etween. One man offered him %.
700 pounds and two others 10000
pounds for the society if he would
Use his influence 20 obtain titles for
hem. He replied that he would
lave nothing 10 do with such trans
tctious. and those single minded
md disinterested philanthropists
lever gave a penny 20 the associa-.
ION. said Lord Selborne.
Lord SeIbOrne related the story Of
Dr. Willard, medical officer for Lei
ester who had done great public
.ervice and whose friends approach
.d the local political leader asking
whether an honor could be obtained
or him. The reply was What is
our friend prepared 20 pay The
riends of George Holman. for seven
erms mayor OF Lewes. made "a SINH
ar attempt. and received a similar
answer. In both cases the politicians
we're informed that not "A penny
would be paid
Another example had been given
ord Selborne by Sir George Keke-
vich. formerly secretary of the board
1f education. a friend i'm the house
II commons had asked him 10 in
ercede for a title The party whip
informed Sir George that the title
,ould bee obtained by payment of S.
200 pounds 20 the party funds, and
abandonment OF the members OPP
POSITION TO the liquor licensing bill
hen before the house All right
ru do both" said the applicant. and
mis- name appeared i'm the next list
IF honors.
Lord Lorebdrn' resolution con-
aimed a preamble that this house
.ouvinced that ministers have in re-
cent times advised his majesty "a
confer honors and diguities on per
sons who have given or have prom
Ised money TO party funds as con
liberation. therefore" but the
lords omitted that by a vote OF as
90 "a. The reasons urged by LORD
rurzou were that ~ contained a re
lection upon four living prime min.
lsters. Lord Rosebery. Mr.. BalfOur
Mr. Asquith and Lloyd George Mem
1ers of the lords were disposed q,
mink that prime ministers had rec
commended TO the king promotions e,
he nobility on the advice Of party
managers. without questioning IN,
reasons and preferring 90 turn
blind eve 20 an old custom
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