House Of Commons: The hereditary landowners dominated the House of Lords, then almost as powerful as the House of Commons. Through the system of bor-augh representation (which until 1832 excluded nost of the big new industrial towns but brought nembership of the Commons to men virtually lominated by landowners for tiny villages), they :ould sway the Commons as well. More than i fourth of the Commons' members were peers or ions of peers, and many others were "placemen," he recipients of royal or aristocratic patronage. Jntil 1834 cabinets invariably included a ma-ority of peers, usually holding the most lucra-ive patronage-dispensing posts.
The proceedings of the House of Commons are regulated by the speaker, who is elected by the entire membership of the house. Though he is usually a former party politician, he acts as a nonpartisan chairman. The speaker retains his Commons seat after election to the chair, and usually is unopposed by his major party opponents at elections.
Financial proposals must be raised in the Commons, which has the right ultimately to over-ide the House of Lords in matters concerning inance. Bills other than appropriation may orig-nate in either house, but the House of Lords :annot reject absolutely a bill on which the Com-nons is determined. At the most, it can delay its )assage for a year.
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