Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-06-07
The ART of Sleeping in Parlia-
q ment.

An English journal has this humorous
sketch: - N. y r.
.77d. Sleeping in the House of Commons is
conductettupon scientific principles. Prob
ably no member spends so many hours in
the House at his post as Mr.. Cowen, the NJ.
AP. for NeWcastle-who is beginning to be
known as the long sitter'-and who has
not yet learnt the parliamentary art OF
sleeping at his post, which is an indispen-
sable thing in the House of Commons. On
days of interest member requires to be
in his place at three O'clock, if ne Is to Sc
cure his seat, and as, a sitting CONNOLLY
lasts till two in the morning, it is not
within mortal power to sit day by day
closely watching weary debates without
spending some of the time In sleeping.
Willy members prefer stopping away the
early part of the sitting, and dropping in
when sqnestions are on that they care for.
q '.Others only come on certain days, and
all, except the most attentive, go home be-
fore the late divisions, but all who attend
constantly, quite as constantly {if they
have any sense) sleep In the House. From
the Oldest Cabinet minister down to the
newest member this is done. He is voted
"a "fOoP' who attempts to meddle with
every question, and If he waits for those
he is concerned in, he had better doZe till
they come to decision than be absent.
No one knows when divisions will come
on, and to join in them a member must be
sleep (if necessary)at his post is the only
way in which he can discharge his duty.
rMr,0JsS. Mill, an III. P- not wanting in
swatchfulness or prudence, sits for hours
asleep with his face on his hand, having
had the precaution TO choose seat which
enables him to do it. .,.os zo.3 .e4z.ii
= .sThe public, who do not understand the
thing, think when small late House Is hall
asleep, that the members are neglecting
Ethei r duty and are stibiects of remark The
six hundred and thirty members who were
absent and probably In bed, are, of course,
unnoticeable In the House, Wine the twen-
ty-eight who remain to the last are open
to comments if not in the most vivid state
ofactiEity. When member has mastered
the merits of question he has done his
duty, and has only to-wait till the division
bell rings for action. Some members, like
Mr.. SchOlefield, have great talent in drop
ping in only when they are wanted. Mr..
Bright will stay away weeks together.
r Earl Russell introduced the ebroad-brimmed
5 hat into the House for the convenience of
sleeping under it. Lord Palmerston fol-
lowed the example and was great dozer.
"Mr- Gladstone stretches ont both his legs
and sleeps at full length; the members GO
ing upsto Mr.. Speaker sometimes stumble
over him. Lord Halifax, when in the House,
holding the Office OF Indian minister, used
to lay his head back,-open his mouth, and
snore loud enoughlto be heard in Bengal.
E SomeJ members who are lame are obliged
to sit on that side of the House which en-
I, ,abies them to rest their limbs with their
face to the Speaker. Some, like Grantley
q Berkeley, have to lean against the table to
speak, because they cannot stand. Feeble
members, like Mr.. Roebuck, and blind
members, like Mr.. Fawcett, sit on the front
bench below the gangway, and members
with no heads sit all over the House."