The Press.
London, England, 1857-05-02 00:00:00

ELECTION OF SPEAKER.

After a short pause, during which Lord Palmers-
ton entered the house, and was loudly cheered,
The Clerk rose, and pointed with his finger towards
Lord Harry Vane, who was seated on the third
Ministerial bench.

Lord 11. VANE rose, and in a brief speech proposed
Mr. Evelyn Denison, the member for North
Nottinghamshire, "do take the chair." The noble
lord described the onerous character of the duties
devolving upon the official director of their debates,
and for whose performance there was required a rare
combination of qualities. After referring in a tone
of warm eulogy to the eminent services of Mr. Shaw
Lefevre, Lord Harry Vane expressed his conviction
that Mr. Denieon would prove a fit successor to the
office, and, briefly sketching the parliamentary career
of that honourable member as affording grounds to
believe that the selection would be appropriate and
successful, formally concluded his speech by pro-
posing that Mr. Evelyn Denison be Speaker of the
House.

Mr. THORNELY seconded the proposition. The
qualities necessary in a good Speaker were expe-
rience, patience, firmness, and impartiality. All of
time he believed that Mr. Denison possessed, in

THE PRESS.

addition to great industry and tact in the transaction
of that vast am aunt of private business which was
annually increasing in magnitude and importance.
The hon. member took the opportunity to suggest
some improvements in the conduct of debates, re-
commending especially the abbreviation of speeches,
and the earlier commencement of important dis-
cussions :
Much may be done (said the honourable member) by
the Speaker, but there is much which must be done by
members, and, though I may be travelling a little out of
the ordinary course, I µ•ill take the liberty of suggesting,
on this very important occasion whether we might not
carry into effect a plan which was discussed some time ago
for shortening the speeches of our members. I would
appeal with great respect to the leading members on both
sides to commence important speeches at live or six
o'clock, after the private business is over, rather than wait
till ten or eleven o'clock, keeping us here out of our beds.
No other candidate being proposed, the resolution
Was carried unanimously.
Mr. E. DENISON, speaking from his place in the
house, briefly returned his acknowledgments for
the honour conferred upon him. He recognised the
importance of the duties he was called upon to
assume ; but although conscious of many deficiencies
in ability, promised to dedicate whatever talents and
faculties he possessed to the service of the House of
Commons. _ _ _

...........______
The Speaker was then conducted by his proposer
and seconder to the chair, and took his seat after
another expression of gratitude and devotion to the
house.

Lord PALMERSTON congratulated the right hon.
gentleman on his elevation, and the house generally
upon their judicious selection of a Speaker. lie felt
assured that the choice they had made was approved
by the members of every party.
Mr. WALPOLE, speaking, as he said, in the acci •
dental absence of Mr. Disraeli, owing to a mistake as
to the hour of meeting, addressed Mr. Speaker,
observing,with reference to Mr. Disraeli's absence :

Had he been here, I am sure that he would have joined
with the noble lord in congratulating you upon being
placed in that chair. In his absence 1 will venture to
say, referring to those observations, marked equally by
good taste and good feeling, which have fallen from you,
that there is not a member on this side of the house—for
those on the other side the noble lord has already spoken
—who will not heartily join with you in maintaining the
dignity and authority of the Chair, and who will not, in the
public proceedings of this house, or in the transaction of
private business, render you every possible assistance.
We shall be happy to find that you equal, although, as the
noble lord has said, you cannot surpass, the admirable
conduct which Marked the career of your predecessor.
The house then adjourned.