Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-02-17
British House Of Commons,
PUTTING THE QUESTION.

There Is sand-glass on the Speak
3 er's table, and this is turned over whel
| the debate concludes, and during th
two minutes that the SAND is running
members, duly warned, rush up iron
the library, smoking rooms, dining
rooms, and the Thames promenade
where, at high water, and wher
the wind does not bring over the reeE
of those foul manufactures, Sena
tors lounge is not unpleasant--the
accessories Of the scene being the
sparkling lights, the splashing river
and a good cigar. The time is up,
everybody has been whipped in, and
see how the bar is crammed, and how
the foremost ranks press forward to.
wards the centre of the House,
The Speaker orders the door to be
closed. Ye then puts the question.
Its form is mystic, as are many things
here. but there is no great danger of
a mistake, ,whippers-in being alert, and
members knowing the advantage Of
following their leaders. The proposal
was that the Criminals Enbrancbise.
ment bill should be read a second
time. Sir T. Til 2siger's amendment
was, that instead Of the words "a Sec
ond time,' there should be inserted
this day six MONTHS The question
is, whether the words proposed 20 be
left out, namely. "a second time,' shall
stand. Those who are of that opin-
ion say Aye
Aye say a great many voices
on The Government side.
.'Thoae who are of contrary opin-
ions say 'No.'
mo- comes in thunder from the
Opposition, who have better lungs
than the Ministerialists.
The Speaker then casually re-
marks:
4 think the Ayes have it,
He is, however, instantly and fiat
ly contradicted by various Noes, and
without contesting the point exclaims:
The Ayes to the right, the Noes
to the left
All the members come down from
their seats and the floor is crowded.
They are making their way, slowly,
to the lobbies appropriated for them.
The Speaker nominates two tellers on
each side, whose business it is 20 as
certain the numbers--a couple of gov
ernmeEt men, and the mover and sec
onder of the amendment. While the
House is clearing, the four tellerS lin
ger and exchange jokes, member is
taking the opposite side to that of
his party, and teller calls after him
that he is going the wrong way. A
young gentleman with large paletot
has arrived in a Highland dress, from
masked ball, aud one of the
four, as he passes, invites him to take
off the paletot to delight the Speak
er's eyes with view of his costume.
As soon as the House is reported
clear, the tellers follow to do their
work.
Now the members, having voted,
begin to re-enter in single file, and
return to their seats. A clerk in wig
and gown goes to the Opposition
green box to be ready to take the
numbers. Sir Frederick Thesiger
comes in looking triumphant, walks
up to the clerk and speaks-a sensa-
tion round the House and then trer
mendous opposition cheer. Enter
Mr.. Hayter. the Secretary Of the
Treasury, not looking quite SO well
pleased, aud be also approaches the
clerk. The four tellers then form in
line, and retire, backing. AS they
do SO their position indicates the VIC
tory. The right hand man of the
four belongs to the winning side,and IN
that station is the tall form Of Sir
Frederick Thesiger. Another tre-
opposition cheer, and the
four 60 bowing up to the table, and
Sir Frederick reads from paper:
The Ayes to the right were 220,
the Noes to the left 234.' Terrific
cheering, government beaten by ID,
and the Criminals Enfranchisem ment
bill lost.
For few moments business is sus-
pended, members laugh over the VIC
tory and defeat, and Ministers are
seen In converse.
Mr.. GLADSTONE. |
Mr.. Gladstone is the most polished