The Sun.
London, England, 1831-06-14 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

The doors were opened at Twelve o'clock, and from that
time till a Quarter-past Two the Members kept assembling.
At a Quarter-past Two the Usher of the Black Rod ap-
peared at the table of the House, and summoned the
Members, by virtue of his Majesty's Commission, to appear
at the bar of the noise of Lords.
About 300 Members were present. In about seven
minutes afterwards those who had proceeded to the lion-e
of Lords returned, and took their seats.
Immedi itely afterwards,
Mr. CHARLES WYNN rose and said, we are about
to exercise the privilege possessed by the British House of
Commons, of selecting an individual to preside over the
debates during the ensuing Parliament—a privilege which,
as it is one of the most ancient, is in m toy respects one of the
most important which this House can exercise. When we
consider that the person whom we shall select is not only
called upon to preside over the debates of this House,
hut also to become its organ—the organ of the representa-
tion of the country—the organ, therefore, of the Commons
to their Sovereign upon many occasions—when we con-
sider that upon those occasions when the sense of this
House is to be expressed, it must depend upon him
in what manner that sense shall be expres•cd ; when

We reflect upon these consideration., I think few WO
differ from me in considering that this is among the moe
important privileges we can be called upon to exercise.—
(Hear, hear.) And if it be important at all times, Icon,
eider it peculiarly important at the present moment,
when We are called upon to to consider changes and al-
terations greater than any that the history of Parliament
can present.—(Loud cries of " Hear" from the Opposition
benches.) Whether these alterations be, or he not, de-
sirable, it is equally necessary that they sh,aild be well
considered, that they should ba debated and examined
with patience, with attention, with disinterested feeling:,
and upon the undeviating principles of public duty.—
(Hear.) At a moment, when a degree of excitement
and violation prevails almost without parallel in our
land. At such a time as this every one feels that it
is of greater importance to select a fit person, who
shall enforce the orders of the House—who shall
maintain our privileges—privileges which we hold
not for our own benefit, but for the advantage of our
constituents. For in nothing can tho e constituents be more
interested than that the order of the debates shall be preserved,
that measures shall not he forced improperly through the
House, but that they may receive that full consideration
which the orders of this House have provided for them.
For this purpose it is most important beyond all doubt that
the person whom we select should be possessed of a high
and independent character—that be should be one from
Whom impartiality may be expected upon all occa-
sions—who should have ability to lay down the
rule: of the House—who should have firmness to
en!Orce those rules against any person who shall
attempt to contravene them, and at the same time
that courtesy which we have for many years ex-
perienced, which may inform those who are inexperienced,
and put them in possession of rules which they have un-
intentionally violated.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, beyond this
there is another qualification, which I hold to be of the
gr atest consequence, because without it ail others must
be vain. 1 mean, that we should select a person who
Possesses the thorough confidence of the House-one, who
by experience has proved that he deserved it.— (Great and
long_continued applause.) High and important as the
office of Speaker is, he possesses no authority what•
ever but that which arises from the confidence and
support of this House. To none can that confi-
dence and support he given with equal satisfaction—with
so little hesitation, as to a person who has, issefully and ad-
vantsgeously, to his own credit, and to the benefit of
the Howe, filled that situation now for fourteen
years.—(Tremendous applause.) To him who has
five times been elected t i the House to hold that
situation, and who has had an increase of confidence and
approbation of the Howe. Upon these grounds,
Sir, I should not feel it necessary to detain
the House longer than simply to move that the Right Hon.
Charles Manners Sutton should take the Chair as Speaker,
and I am convinced that I express the general sense of the
House when I state that he should continue to occupy that
situation as long as his health would allow him.—(Tre-
tnendous cheering.) There is one circumstance peculiar to
him which I think it would be unjust to pass over ; I mean
the manner in which during the last two yearshe has expressed
his readiness to devote hours of the day, and days which
the usual indulgence of the House had allowed the Speaker
for rest, in consequence of the fatigues arising from
the general execution of his duty. Mr. Manners
Sutton has called upon the I-louse on more occasion than
nue, to give him an opportunity of devoting that time
also to the service of the country.—(Hear, hear,)—
I have before adverted to the peculiar situation of the
present time. I also cannot overlook the quantity of
business which we have been obliged to leave um.
attended to from the great and momentous question
Which occupied us during the last Session. On that
account, in selecting a person to fill the Chair of this
Douse, we should select one who had that zeal for
the honour of the House, and that zeal for the public in-
terests, which will induce him, instead of thinking
usual and ordinary labours too operose and oppressive,
devote additional time to the despatch of public busi-
Item Such a person we have in him—(Loud cheers)
--and cannot but with satisfaction reflect that it
is now fourteen years since I had an opportunity of
supporting the first nomination of that Hon. Gentleman,
and of predicting to the House, that if they elected him
they would experience from him that union of firmness
and courtesy which I think all will agree with me in
saying he has untleviatingly shown himself to possess.
Sir M. W. RIDLEY felt proud in having the oppor-
tunity of rising to second the nomination that had just
been made. It was, perhaps, somewhat singular
that when the Honourable Gentleman who bad
just been nominated, was first called to the Chair
he (Sir Matthew) was one who opposed the appointment,
and seconded the nomination of the
very Member who had
moved the present appointment. From this circumstance
the
House would perceive that neither the mover
nor the seconder could on this occasion be ope-
rated by any feeling but that of a. deep sense
of the great ability of Mr. Sutton to fill the Chair.
(Hear, hear.) Were he simply to add less those Mt on-
sera who had sat there during the late Pailitiment,
ha
would rather refer them to their own experience of Mr.
Sutton's qualifications than presume to recommend them.
As to those Members now sitting in the House for the
first time, be could assure them that in agreeing to the
present nomination, they would only be conferring an
art of justice on Mr. Sutton, and of favour on them

elvea, because a shoi t Apericnce would convince thcu
►f Mr. Sutton's perfect knowledge of the laws of ti
House, of his urbanity, and w►llingness to afford eves',
facility to the furtherance of public business.
Mr. M. SUTTON rose anal cordially thanked then
'or the honour they lied done him, in thus noininatio;

`lhn for the sixth time to be their Chairman, he hal*
tilled the office for the last fourteen years, and assuro:
the House that should they re-elect him, his utmost
4forts, mental and bodily,should be devoted to the service

if the House and the country.
Mr. C. Wynn and M. W. Ridley then descender
from their seats on the Treasury Bench, on which Mr
Sutton sate, took him by the arm, and accompanied him to
the Chair, in which they placed him.
The SPEAKER returned his most cordial acknowlAg
:nents to the two Hon. Members and the House.
Sir .1. GRAHAM, in the unavoidable absence of al
Chancellor of the Exchequer, congratulated the Speaker
•nd the House on the re-election of Mr. Sutton, am
toyed the adjournment of the House until to-morrow.
Sir R. PEEL secanded the motion of adjournment
,nd warmly eulogized the conduct of the Speaker durint
the 14, years' experience the (louse trid had of him
The Hon. Gentleman had been called to fill the chair at A
rime when subjects of the most vital importance to tin
country and the House were to be brought under di•cus-
sion, and, he had no doubt, the Hon. Gentleman would
in his decisions act with that impartiality, tempered with
consisteru y of manner which was so desirable on such
import ,nt occasions. Considering the circumstances under
which the Hon. Gentleman had been elected, and the aid,
speeches which had been made by those who had preceded
him, he (Sir R. Peel) felt it unnecessary to dilate further, lot
he trusted he should not be considered guilty of an act of
presun p'oa in be ring testimony in the manner he hed
done to the Right Hon. Gentleman's merit,.
On the motion of the SPEAKER tl e House then ad-
journed.