The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-04-29 00:00:00

Etc :ftourbritrge drostrber.

SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 1876.

THE WORK OF PARLIAMENT.

The Legiglature, after its brief recess, is
again at work, sometimes dealing with great
imperial questions, and at others dis-
cussing matters of detail which would scarcely
command attention at a parish vestry. Parlia-
ment has been well compared to the trunk of an
elephant—it is equally able to pick up a pin, or
to rend the political oak. In full deliberative
assembly, its debates often decide the fate of an
Administration or the fortunes of one of the
great parties in the State for years to come ;
while at other times personal disputes have
taken up much valuable time. One Select Com-
mittee is appointed to inquire into the negotia-
tion of foreign loans—a subject affecting the
investment of twenty millions sterling; another
is nominated to take evidence as to whether a
petition which his been forwarded from this or
that particular town ought to be received or not.
Nothing is too vast for the comprehension of
Parliament ; nothing too minute to receive its
notice. It can be approached on petition by the
humblest of her Majesty's subjects, and those
who may be looked upon asthe meanest amongst
citizens are perfectly at litiprty to lay their
grievances before it for redress.
Custom has made the times and seasons of
the meeting of Parliament in this country
assume somewhat the air of incongruity. In
other lands, particularly in France and the
United States, the Legislature assembles in
November or December, and separates in May
or June. They thus work at a time of the year
when work is congenial, and when out-door
recreation is disagreeable if not impossible.
They thus have the best half of the twelve
months before them for relaxation, leaving the
seat of the Legislature during the scorching
heats of July and August, and turning their
faces towards the woods, the fields, and the sea.
If we contrast this plan with that followed by
our own Imperial Parliament, we shall find our
senators and representatives of the people
gathering together at Westminster generally in
the second week in February, and as at Versailles
and Washington sit lug for six moil is, with the
exception of the recesses at Easter and at Whit-
suntide. But the work during the last two out
of the six months is carried on under circuit.-
stances of considerable tliscoinfort. The scorch-
ing heats of July and August beget a feeling of
lassitude which is gnything but conducive to a
desire for incessant and protracted labour; and
as in consequence of the flow of talk early in
the session, most of its practical duties have to
be crowded into the concluding portion, the tax
upon the sbrength of members is sometimes
very serious. Sittings of twelve hours at a
stretch are then nut uncommon, and this strain
is placed upon the members at the time when,
through tee heat ot the weather, they are the
les3 able to bear it. The disadvantages of the
Pr Bet" ,Tit-to have been poiuteu out nun
recognised, b:t England is an old country,
jealoas et oht usages, and essentially Conserva-
tive in its iesiiects. Unless there is an urgent
and pressin necessity for ch•
4
dhoti, none is made;
and as the times dune:: which 'Parliament shal
sit is timely a qw stiTm for that august body
ttse f, anti do sno affeet the cot v ,tneecu of the
7 body puttiie, no a aLiou is mane, and Fehrutu
to Augast i likely to represent the length of tn.!
legislative 3,,a1' for s,due time yet to come.
There is aeoteer way in which the Vitae of
Parliawewary sitsing3 may he regarded as un-
usual- Tie 1-0 (1-;ru e: at five o'clock in tee
afternoju, a th Co unions, ex.;ept on Wednes-
day, rit four. Now, tour o'clok c i ti ...s —me wilco,
in a vast nitmh,r of business avocations the tid)'s
--:-'work is .1011f4. It tat the hour when the Banks
and the Stock Exchanage are closed, the High
Court of Parliament begins to work. On the
labour goes, her into the nitzht, seldom ceasing
until twelve o'clock, and often going on unt-it
two in the wornin,;. 1 iinoceut pet sons have
utitli asked why need this commence
business at a tittle when otter people are leaving
oft the tertdieli ;did American
1, or, ~,,,at.ve ass,aublies, whcre the meweers•
paid, and crin therrt-ire w.. 11; i!I 11.1' a„y, our
_own ilou,,e of Commons is largely conapo,,ed cf
gi,utititutn who have their ova affairs to atten.:l
to. The banker arAU the merchant who write ,
M.P. after tip ;r ‘lnfl are at tiic heed of
great tiwiueial ur:merca..tile organizatienS, turd
tally occupied during the buainela portion of gig

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