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The abuses to which the thirteen original American colonies were subjected by the British crown caused the Revolutionary War, and impressed a deep-set opinion of the absolutism of the British government on the minds of many Americans. It is a fact, however, that with all the pomp and ceremony of royalty, the government of Great Britain is one of the most liberal in the world. It is monarchical almost in name only, for although the crown of England passes to the oldest member of the reigning family, and with it the sovereignty over all the British Empire, yet its power is limited so that the monarch cannot use coercion on subjects without great risk of revolution and dethronement. Although the government is a limited monarchy, it is almost a democracy, built upon an unwritten constitution of customs and on a parliament of two houses—the lords and the commons. These working through a cabinet and influenced somewhat by the king, carry out ultimately the will of the people. The constitution is the outgrowth of centuries of struggle between parliament and the monarchs. In early times, the rulers were practically absolute, but when some of the more cruel ones were deposed, executed or judged insane and regents were appointed in their places, the people gradually acquired rights which they guarded jealously, and never permitted to be lost. Charles I. was deposed, and for a time Oliver Cromwell, as president of the great Commonwealth, governed in democratic form. Then came the monarchy again, but as soon as James II. attempted to become an absolute monarch, he was deposed and William and Mary succeeded. Since this time, the cabinet has played an important part in the government of Great Britain. At the time that George I. came to the throne, from a German family, he did not understand English, and, naturally, the cabinet was his mainstay. George III. tried to do away with this institution, but the people's action finally brought him back to using such advisers, and since then the cabinet has become a permanent fixture, though not mentioned legally as such, being simply the outgrowth of custom. The cabinet is a body made up of from 15 to 20 of the chief ministers of the several portfolios or departments of the government. In order that this system of cabinet government may work out most effectually, two rival parties are presupposed. Each party, criticising the acts of the other and striving for supremacy, keeps the other on its metal. The ministers of the cabinet naturally belong to the party in power. Thus they control the situation well enough to pass any measures the administration may propose. When, through waning popularity, poor government, or for any similar reason, the cabinet party lacks sufficient support to pass its measures, it resigns the cabinet positions. There is the alternative of appealing to the public in elections. If recourse is had to this method, the house of commons is first dissolved. If the members are returned by vote of their constituents, the administration is vindicated, and the bill in question is passed. In order to accomplish this, however, it becomes necessary sometimes, though very rarely, to coerce the house of lords. This is done by a threat from the king that he will create enough new peers to accomplish the desired legislation. From the foregoing it may be seen that the house of commons directly represents the people, and that when it comes to appealing to the public at large in regard to measures that receive universal support, it surpasses the house of lords in power. In like manner it can be understood that the monarch, in order to be in perfect accord with his people, must coincide to a great degree with this branch of parliament. As before said, the cabinet is not recognized by law, but is the outgrowth of custom, its origin having been a secret body of advisers of the crown. Naturally, in the beginning, the more powerful party in parliament was sought out by the sovereign to aid him in securing legislation. The cabinet of to-day, therefore, resigns when it no longer has the support of parliament, and thereupon the king calls to his aid the leaders of the opposite party. These he appoints to the ministerial offices (the privy council) and from them he selects his cabinet. This body has no authority save in that they are members of the privy council, and the premier who, also, is not recognized by law as such, gains his authority through being a minister, generally, the minister of foreign affairs. One of the strong points of the government is that while the monarch has no veto power, yet so imbued are the people with the idea of royalty, and such is their respect for their sovereign, that they would not return members to parliament who would knowingly oppose his will. The ruler gives his advice and counsel to his cabinet, and receives their suggestions as to his ideas, and as a result, measures thus planned are sent through the houses of parliament. When the houses are unanimous, legislation is unimpeded; when disagreement occurs, the methods before mentioned for vindicating the cabinet may be used, or a new ministry may be formed. This system presupposes that the king can do no wrong, and the ministry in power is made directly responsible for bad management. As the constitution is not a written instrument, parliament is all-powerful. Its legislation is presumed to be constitutional, and courts do not pronounce upon its acts. The judiciary holds office for life and cannot be removed except for cause. Thus, in the main, its acts tend toward justice. It is entirely separated from the legislative and executive departments of the government, although to some extent it is appointed. Should it interpret laws adverse to the wishes of parliament, that body would enact new laws which would nullify its decisions. The house of lords is a hereditary body. It has almost co-ordinate power with the house of commons, save that it cannot introduce or amend financial measures. The privy council is the official body that confers with the ruler and signs enactments. The king makes formal appointments, and the cabinet must have the support of the majority of parliament to hold office. Thus the commons, which is the most numerous body, may be said to choose the cabinet. When a new parliament is chosen, the public, practically, chooses the new prime minister, for it has the leaders of the opposing party in mind when casting votes. All acts must be performed in the light of publicity, to gain favor, because there are two parties. Lastly, the English system necessitates the development of the individual leader, who can dominate his party, and thus make cabinet rule possible over sovereign and lords.
IN A KING'S KITCHEN AND PLATE ROOMS |
