The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-12-02
How the Lord Mayor of London
Is Elected.

A London correspondent Of the Century
| thus tells the msodus operandi of choosing
the Lord Mayor of London. 1t is novel
enough: .lt-.t
| The only persons who have right TO
vote for Lord Mayor, are members Of what
is called ''the livery of London" that is
members elect, and belonging to all of the
trade Societies.
L he election is held at Guildhall, and
in front of the building fence is built,
with gate for each society. An othcer
called beadle stands at each gate, and
waves an embroidered cloak, and carries in
one hand guilt rod, with a basket shaped
butt end to it, called a mace. He is sup
posed to know ali the members Of his So
ciety, and theoretically, 10 others are sd
mitted-out practically, those whose curl
osity, like mine, was an overmatch for
their modestv, contrived to get in. After
the arrival of the Lo,d Mayor, Common
Council, Sheriff, and his deputies, with
suDdry other officials, all rugged ont in
their gorgeous, fantastic gold lace fur and
feather plumage, they adjourned to an ad-
joining church, where the Lord Mayors
chaplin preached a sermon, which was very
good in one respect, as it was not more
than fifteen minutes long. All hands then
went back to the Hall, which by that time
was filled with people
1t was then announced that the meeting
would proceed to elect Lord Mayor, and
sundry candidates were named, and as each
name was painted on board and held up
alternate above the heads of the crowd on
the platform, the friends of each candidate
would hurrah and swing their hats After
putting mp first one board and then anoth-
er, until 1t was very apparent whose name
ELECTED the most noise, and induced the
largest number to swing their hats, it was
declared that Mr.. John Carter was duly
elected Lord Mayor of the city. Mr.. Car
ter came forward and made short speech,
and the performance ended
Some Of your readers may suppose that
the members of the different Societies fol-
low the trade or occupation indicated by
their name, and such probably was the
case when the Societies were formed, but
it is not so now. Anybody who can com
mand money and influence enough, may be
elected in any of the Societies, the initia-
ton fee being from thirty to several hun
dred pounds.
When an election is contested, and there
is any doubt about the candidates election
by the hurrah ard hat swinging method,
the candidates demand poll, and the cleo
ton is adjourned until the next day, and
the polls kept open until all the voters have
chance TO come and vote, Uivd uOce, for
the man of their choice. There is one off
Ger attached to the city government, called
the Getty Rememberancer," whose duty
it is to watch the Parliament, and report
to the councilmen every proceeding relat-
ing to the interests of the city.
1t is surprising that people with so
much common sense as the English, should
retain so many ancient and useless forms
and ceremonies, and dress up their officials
like harlequins and clowns at fandango.
But civilization has not much to boast of
over savage life, as respects claptraps and
gewgaws. Mankind have always been
,ickled with a tail like peacock s, and /
suppose will always be.