Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1902 — OPENED BY THE KING. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OPENED BY THE KING.

BRITISH PARLIAMENT RESUMES ITS LABORS. stcsml Pomp Attends the Ceremonies —Populace Hails the King—Speech from the Throne Greeted with Cheers —Ruler Defends Hia Soldiers. King Edward opened Parliament with a ceremonial in all essential respects similar to that of February last. The procession to the House of Lords was of the same character as that witnessed on the occasion of the opening of the first Parliament of King Edward’s reign, while within the upper house were seen the same state pageantry, the same historic dresses and the same revival of ancient forms. King Edward and Queen Alexandra occupied their thrones beneath a canopy, with the Prince and Princess of Wales on either side of them. The other members of the royal family were seated on chairs at the foot of the steps leading to the throne. The gentleman usher of the Black Rod, Gen. Sir Michael Biddulph, having summoned the speaker and the members of the House of Commons, his majesty read the speech from the throne. Their majesties then retired amid a fanfare of trumpets and attended by the same regal ceremony as accompanied their entry into the house. King Edward’s speech from the throne opened with a reference to the tour of the Prince and Princess of Wales. “They were everywhere,” said the King, “re-

ceived with demonstrations of the liveli est affection, and I am convinced their presence served to rivet more closely ths bonds of mutual regard and loyalty by which the vigor of the empire is maintained.” “I regret," said his majesty, “that the war in South Africa is not yet concluded, though the course of the operations has been favorable to our arms, the area of war largely reduced, and industries are being resumed in my new colonies. “The necessity for relieving those of my troops who have most feit the strain of war has afforded me the opportunity of again availing myself of the loyal and patriotic offers of my colonies, and further contingents will shortly reach South Africa from the Dominion of Canada, the commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand.” In regard to the sugar conference the speech said: “I trust its decision may lead to the abandonment of the system by which the sugar producing colonies and home manufacturers of sugar.havo been unfairly weighted in the prosecution of this important industry." Then came the following clause: “I have concluded with the President of the United States a treaty, the provisions of which will facilitate the construction of an interoceanic canal under guarantees that Its neutrality will be maintained, and that it will be open to the commerce and shipping of all nations.” On the opening day of Parliament the aggressiveness of the opposition rivaled the speech from the throne in public interest. The attacks upon the government were of such an unexpected nature that they drew the tire of Premier Salisbury in the House of Lords and that of Joseph Chamberlain in the Commons.

KING EDWARD VII.