The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-03-01 00:00:00

THE RETIREMENT OF THE SPEAKER.

Mr. Gladstone, in proposing a vote of thanks to the re-
tiring speaker for his distinguished services in the chair for
more than 12 years, observed that the terms of his resolu-
tion acquired additional emphasis and signitlcanee from the
circumstances under which they were employed. The busi-
ness of the House was increasing, and the high functions
which the Speaker had been called upon to exercise had
been exercised in a period of difficulty previously unknown
with skill, tact, firmnf as, and admirable understanding. The
House was deeply grateful for the work he had done on its
behalf and of the country and as they looked back with
gratitude, so they looked forward with warm desire to misty
years of public service and private happiness which they
hoped the right hon. gentleman might enjoy. The Prime
Minister concluded by moving—" That the thanks of this
House be given to Mr. Speaker for his distinguished services
in the Chair for more than twelve years • that he be assured
that this House fully appreciates the zeal and ability with
which he has discharged the duties of his high office through
a period of unusual labeur, difficulty, and anxiety, and the
judgment and firmness with which he has maintained its
privileges and dignity; and that this House feels the
strongest sense of his unremitting attention to the con-
stantly-increasing business of Parliament, and of his uniform
urbanity, which have secured for him the respect and
esteem of this House."

Sir S. Northcote, in seconding the motion, gave expression
to the deep feelirg of regret universal on the Opposition
Benches at the Speaker's retirement, and the high apprecia-
tion of the value cf his services, and added a few words ex.
pressing his own individual gratitude for the wise counsel
and generous assistance often received from the Speaker.
Mr. Parnell, speaking on behalf of the Irish members, said
that while they were desirous of acknowledging the personal
courtesy and consideration always extended to them by the
Speaker, the conviction that his action had produced in-
justice and wrong and hardship to their country would
compel them to say " No " to the motion.
After some remaiki from Mr. O'Donnell, Lord H. Lennox,
Mr. Newdegate, and Mr. Gregory supported the motion,
which was carried unanimously, with the exception of a few
"Noes" from the Irish Benches.

Members having taken cff their hats,
The Speaker, who was received with loud cheers, said:
The resolution which has now been moved and seconded
and received by the Hoes) in a manner far beyond my
deserts, obliges me to address a few words to you. Before
I do so I am anxious t ).say a few words with regard to the
criticisms which have fallen from the hon. member for the
City of Cork (hrr. Parnell) and the hon. member for Dun-
garvan (11r. O'Donnell). Ido not doubt that both those.
hon. members have in the course they have thought tit to
take been actuated throughout their career ha the proceed-
ings of this House by a sense of duty to their consti-
tuents, and I am quite sure they will give me credit for
having, in my position as Speaker, acted on all those occa-
sions to which they have referred as I always have, from a-
sense of duty. lam very sensible of my own shortcomings,
and it has often been a subject of wonder on my part how it
is that I have been lifted up to this high position. I believe
that my elevation to this chair is mainly due to the simple
fact that ever since I entered this House, nearly 32 years
ago, I have been animated and guided by a constant
and abiding faith in this House as an instrument of
good government, and have loyally worked for the
maintenance of its high character. If in my tenure
of this chair daring a somewhat eventful period I have
helped tasustain the power and authority of this House, I
shall feel that I have not lived in vain. The rest of my
life will be cheered by pleasant memories of my career in
this chair, and among thosa pleasant memories the scene
which is now passing before us will hold a prominent place.
I am unwilling to say farewell, for my heart will always,
live with this House, to which I owe so much. I thank
you heartily fer the crowning act of this day in recog-
nition of my services. Before I conclude I beg the
House will allow me to take this opportunity of thanking
the permanent officers of this House for the zealous and
efficient support which I have received from them. From
the clerks at the table of this House I have derived day by
day constant and intelligent assistance. To the Clerk of
this House my thanks are especially due. He enjoys de-
servedly a world-wide reputation as an authority on Par-
liamentary procedure, and I have largely availed myself of
his long experience and sound judgment in the conduct of
the business of this House. Let me conclude with my best
wishes to one and all of those many members who have ever
been introduced to me in this chair. I wish them all happi-
ness and prosperity, and I may be allowed to conclude with
the prayer that the blessing of God may rest upon this House
for ever.

Mr. Gladstone said: I beg to move "That the thanks of
this House be given to Mr. Speaker for what he has said this
day to the House, and that the same be printed in the votes
of this day and entered in the journals of this Solute."
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Gladstone: I now beg to move the second resolution of
which I have given notice and which is in the hands of mem-
bers—" That an humble address be presented to her Majesty
praying her Majesay that she will be most graciously pleased to
confer some signal mark of her Royal favour upon the Right
Honourable Sir Henry Bouverie William Brand, G. C. 8.,
Speaker of this House, for his eminent services during the
important period in which he has, with such distinguished
ability and dignity, presided in the chair of this House; and
to assure her Majesty that whatever expense Her Majesty
shall think proper to be incurred upon that account this
House will make good the same."
The motion was agreed to.
THE SOUDAN.

Mr. Labeachere then obtained leave to move the adjourn-
ment of the House, in order to can attention to the position
of the British army on the coast of the Red Sea, and asked
for some assurance from the Government that they repu-
diated the bloodthirsty declarations to be found in the press,
and would confine their operations to defending Souakim.
In the course of the discussion, the Marquis of Hartington
observed that one part of the policy of the Government was
the defence of the Red Sea ports. It appeared that a large
and victorious body of the Arabs were in the neighbourhood
of Souakim, and it might be necessary for the commander of
British forces as a defensive measure to take the offensive
against them.
Mr. Gladstone pointed out the mischief that must ensue if
the House interfered with the action which the Executive,
under a sense of duty and upon its responsibility, might
think it necessary to take.

Sir S. Northcote did not now press the Government for
further information, but warned them that clearer and
fuller explanations than had yet been furnished would shortly
be required.
The motion for adjournment was then negatived.
THE STANDING COMMITTEES.

The remander of the sitting was occupied by the adjourned
debate on the motion of the Marquis of Hartington to
revive the resolutions relating to the constitution and pro-
ceedings of Standing Committees.

A proposal by Mr. Parnell for the creation of a Standing
Committee of Irish members for the consideration
of Irish Bills wits opposed by Mr. Gladstone on the
ground that the Standing Committees were purely an
experiment, and that the proposal really was to refer a certain
class of measures to a committee of experts.

After much discussion Mr. Parnell's proviso was negatived
by 160 to 40. Eventually the original motion was agreed to.
The House adjourned at one o'clock.

In tbe HOUSE OF LORDS, Feb. 26, the Intestates Estates
Bill passed through committee and the Contagious Diseases
(Animals)Bill was read a third time.
The Earl of Wemyss called attention to the reported order
to General Graham, to advance from Trinkitat, but admitted
that after the explanation given on the previous evening
In the other House much of the cause for anxiety had been
removed. He, however, asked the Government to give an
assurance that they would not shelter themselves behind the
discretion given to General Graham.
The Marquis of Huntly expressed regret that attempts
should be made to depreciate the strength of the force at
Trinkitat, and asserted from personal observation in the
East that much harm was done by the publication in this
country of irresponsible gossip:
Earl Granville declined to give details of military opera.
tiors in progress, but stated that a large discretion was left
to General Graham, and it was not for the Government at
home to dictate to the general on the spot the precise course
he was to take.

After further remarks from the Marquis of Salisbury, the
Earl of Kimberley, the Earl of Dunraven, the Earl of Hard.
wicke, and the Earl of Morley, who stated that the expedi•
tion had been fully equipped for the object intended,

Their lordshipsadiouined at twenty-five minutes to sir.

In the ITOUSE OF COMMONS there was a large attendance
of members when, at a few minutes to four o'clock, the
Snjeant-at-Irms entered with the mace, which he placed
under the table.
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At four o'clock Sir Erskine May entered the House and
took his weal seat at the table.
THE ELECTION OF SPEAKER.

Mr. Gladstone, addressing Sir Erskine May, said: Sir, I
have it in command from her Majesty to acquaint this House
that she has been informed of the resignation of the chair
by Sir Henry Brand, andthat she gives leave to this House to
proceed to the election of a new Speaker.
Mr. Whitbread then rose amid loud cheers from the
Ministerial benches, and addressing Sir E. May, who also
rose and pointed at him with his finger, nominated Mr.
Arthur Peel. After adverting to the loss which the House
had sustained by the resignation of Sir H, Brand, and which
he said made the responsibility of proposing a successor all
the graver, he touched on the only objection which had been
urged out of doors to Mr. Peel—that he had been con-
nected with the Government, pointing out that four of
the most distinguished Speakers oi the century—Sir J.
Mitford, Mr. Abbott, Mr. Manners-Sutton, and Mr. Aber-
cromby—had been in office. The question, however, for the
House to consider was whether she man to whom their
choice was directed was a fair-minded man, and one capable
of dealing with the questions of order now constantly raised,
and calling for an immediate and unassisted judgment.
After dwelling on the various qualifications required for the
office—the authority of which, he pointed out, depended on
his possession of the entire confidence of the House—he con-
clu led by expressing a profound conviction that they well
all largely possessed by Mr. Peel, of whom he said that those
who were most intimate with him had the strongest faith
that he would succeed and would prove himself a worthy in-
heritor of the great Parliamentary name which he bore.
Mr. Rathbone seconded the nomination, and expressed his
satisfaction that the House was able to command the ser-
vices of the son of an illustrious statesman, in whom, he felt
sure, would be found all the qualities necessary to fulfil the
great traditions of the office.
Mr. Peel, who sat next to his seconder at the end of the
third Ministerial bench, then addressed the Rouse, and after
thanking his mover and seconder for the terms in which
they had spoken of him, he said he was under no illusion as
to the causes which had led to the presentation of his name.
Be knew that there were others on both sides of the
House more competent to discharge the great office of
Speaker, and he knew what he owed to the fact
that he was the son of a statesman whose labours were
identified with the House of Commons. He was conscious
of the responsibility which attached to the office, but if
elected he should be encouraged by the great example of
his predecessor, and by the consciousness that if he did his
duty he might depend on the moral support and assistance
of the House. Furthermore, he said he knew how necessary
it was that on taking the chair be should lay aside all per-
sonal and party considerations. Trusting to the support of
the House, he should endeavour to maintain the privileges
of the House, to maintain its rules and orders, its written
--is's.. lase an& above all, to maintain.that personal

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