Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-05-01
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Vol. xXxIV.
The, House of Co mnmOnS The
- spealker-The Reporters, &c

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= Spealker-The Reporters, &c
The London correspondent of the Boston
Journal sends the following interesting let
ter to that Journal: .w5T .ss1qg
The House of Commons is just now the
center of great interest The Gladstone
party were turned sout of spoweron the re-
form bin. Itwas expected that the Derby,
or Tory, party would have been hoisted by
the same engine. But Derby seemed 20 be
master OF the situation, His threat mott
resign il heais defeated on the bill, but to
appeal to the country, has had its effects.
Soon this question will be settled one way
or the other. The country has grown
greattdeal Tingtwelve months. The Had
stone bill, which the Tories rejected with
horror, they would now gladly receive
With that bill the country would have been
amply satisfied for quarter Of a century !;
but that bill the country Will not now sac-
cept. D1sraeli is shrewd,a and refuses to
take from the Commons the modelling, the
features of the bill. The Liberals dare not
press him, as they, are unwilling to risk
their popularity on q measure that may or
may n0e.be acceptable TO their party out
side the House. Great debates are expect
ed within q few days that may change the
whole political aspect of England. .sroh7o
E5 The House of Comu1oh is composed of
635. BY a strange oversight, the hall Will
not hold more thanhalf the members. Q The
members draw seats for one night, and that
after prayers. The drawing consists of the
member putting his card in la little groove
on the back of the benchsu Those who can
not get seats below have to go into the gal
stand. The House has anliteral bar, below
which is the Peers seat, and no Peer Of the
realm is SLOWED on the foorof the House
of Commons While the House of Lords
has gallery for ladies, and its debates are
attended by. ladies of quality as well as
others, the House of Commons will not al
low g. lady within its walls; qiAbove the re-
porteF's seat and behind the Speaker, in a
Gagged closet, capable of holding sixteen
persons, with an iron grating, not unlike
Inunnery, is found the gallant accommoda-
ton for ladies connected with the House,
Within this den, and behind the grating,
having obtained a written permission from
the Speaker, which is regarded as great
privilege, ladies sit and hear the d debates,
although they are invisible Idebaters. The
reason given for this custom is omnipotent
insthis country; !; it is an old custom, The
great hall of William Rufus, known as
Westminster Hall, in which the mightiest
events of the nation have transpired, is
now only q yestibIple to the House of Com
mons. q 5f-oi,rx= .,j,,Fg- o7-rts,z-5 .,-5i.es
The Speaker embodies the dignity of the
House. He is chosen for life. He usually
serves for about six years, then takes pen
IL
has salary of .$35,000 per a1num. He
occupies sun1ptuous house, most magniti-
EcentlY furnished at the ex pense of the ma
ton. The plate belonging TO the house.
with which he gives ceremonial dinners.
cost thenatiohf $950000. Every night, on
the opening of the Houses crowds assemble
to witness the procession from his house to
the chairs The Speaker wears his wig and
robes, The huge mace, gold gilt. as much
as a man eanslift, Is borne before him. The
state sWoFd--double-handl after the
fashion of Richard of the Lion Heart, over
six foot long, gilt scabbard and jewelled
hilt-Tisb borne by his sword d-bearer,s4As man
behind holding his train, and chaplain IN
full rig, completes the procession. AZ be-
dizened official precedes the party, crying
out, - 0yez!, oyez make way for the hon.
orable Speaker ! p7 ALI fall back, and un-
cover while he enters and takes his seat.
Few are present at prayers. There is an
understanding that no business shall be
done for the first half hour. This gives
time e7or prayers inside and dta1k out. Mem
bers sit with their hats on. unless they ad-
dress the chair or move from their seats.
An outsider has no chance to speak. The
ministerial leader on one side, and the
l6adersof the opposition on the other, send
list to the Speaker each evening. Nc
other member will be seen. ssseiavaI lit
The division of the House is very curious
n
ment. A call is made for a DIVISION A
three-minute. glass in front of the Speaker
| is immediately turned. When the sands
run out the doors are closed, and no one is
admitted until the votes are taken. Mem
bers are In all sorts of pfaces-in the libra
ry, In the snlok ing room, in the eating;
| room, in the lobbies, in the committed
rooms. To reach these absent ones, anG
get them in the House within three min-
utes, is often a difficult task. There are
/ thirty-six bells, leading from the House %
| Commons to all parts of the great building
Immediately on the call for division these
bells are rung.. Whippers- in are busy anc
men scramble from all imaginable places tt
| get inside. the House before the three min.
utes expire. The ruleis iuexorable. Tht
doors are closed promptly on the second
II The Queen herself could net get in. MeI
4 file Out,from different ends of the room, gC
through different passages have thei
names written twice, and come back bJ
Idiffsrent doors.,as 5s,sAss - Ar4st a 1aa1.r5'
The speaking in the House is as bad a.
can be imagined The utterances are in
Iidistinet, the hesitation is painful, and stcl
la thing as oratory is unknown. Gladstone
lis the best speaker in the House. He is |;
taH. slim, pleasant looking man, with /:
Iiringing voice. But he stands close to th,
lltable, gEasps it with both his hands, ant
llteeters on his toes while he speaks. DIS
Iraeli has good voice. but he is slow ant
Iprosy on ordinary occasions He is small
dark coinplexioned, Jewish-looking man
lseldom looks any one in the face, and glide
tratfIer than walks into his seat, as If he dit
mot wish any one to know he had ceme.-
Holm Bright is short, thick-set, chubby
Hooking EHglishman, who leads the DE
m1cracy, and with the people is the mos
popular orator in England. He always sit
on the Liberal side, but below the gang
, way, which indicates that he is at liberty +
: vote with or against the Liberals as h
pleases. 4 The reporters seat is behind tn
3 Speaker. The men occupy the gallery, an
they are relieved every ten minutes by nes
Reporters No man beside them is allowe
to make a pencil note even in the House
Wigilant eyes are upon every conner. If
q man takes pencil out to make mark o
, write i'm q book, he is instantly warmed 3
4 House. ss4 -, s. ,.si : 4 81 BURLEIGH.
:, Great Flood and Loss Of Life in