Legislative Consent Quotes



money for the king's government In 1628 there was a classic English struggle between the king, Charles I, and Parliament. While Parliament was sitting, Dr. Manwaring, an Anglican Bishop, preached a sermon. He claimed that God intended all private property to be at the disposal of the King in times of national emergency. Further, that the King could levy an taxes without the consent of Parliament. The King liked the sermon so much that he had it printed and distributed by special command. The House of Commons went bonkers and impeached Manwaring. He was imprisoned by order of the House, fined the then huge sum of 1,000 pounds, and prohibited from holding any ecclesiastical or secular office in the future. As soon as the session of Parliament ended, the king pardoned him, gave him a huge salary raise, and several years later Manwaring was appointed Bishop of Asaph. King Charles I, perhaps England’s worst sovereign, then provoked two civil wars and was finally tried for treason and beheaded. Manwaring was in and out of prison during the conflicts. He faded from public view.


Many modern Americans who look to the founding fathers for modern guidance regarding gun rights, foreign policy, and many other facets of government are shocked to learn that there was almost unanimous opposition to maintaining a standing army in times of peace. That there was very little concept of military preparedness.


For the average person it was virtually impossible to obtain a divorce in Alabama in that they needed both houses of the legislature to approve it by super majorities. Essentially, the religious forces of the state outlawed divorce but left an opening for the rich and powerful.


The Czar, a total autocrat, was out of touch with most of the civilized world. Under much pressure from his advisors who realized that there was much unhappiness with an autocracy, the Czar made this reform which seemed a major concession and was very much welcomed by the people. However, it had relatively little practical effect. The Duma could not make laws, they could only ratify those made by the Czar and his ministers. However, few members of the Duma were willing to vote against a measure that the Czar wanted. It had no practical effect on improving the standard of living and the economic development of a backward empire.