The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-01-17
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"Mr. Speaker"

Names of things and titles Of Office, which
seem to have but little strict reference to
the things or the Offices they designate,
are nevertheless significant when traced to
their origin. They prompt to the study of
history, and lead the thoughtful to inquire
into their beginnings and their original
meaning. The title of Speaker" given
to the presiding officer in the popular
branch Of the Legislature, is one Of the
designations which seem to have no par.
ticular fitness. His position precludes him
from making speeches, except when the
House resolves itself into "Committee Of
the Whole" or when, as is sometimes done,
he summons member to take his place as
speaker and takes part in the debates,
The term Moderator" used in some de-
Lucrative assemblies, or chairman" used
in committees and in impromptu or popu-
lar assemblies, better defines the present
duties of the presiding officer than the
word Speaker"
A glance at the history of England,
from which country we derive our parlia-
mentary usuages, will throw light upon
this subject. Many readers will see moth
ing new to them in these statements, but
the young may find them interesting, and
even the older may like their memories
refreshed. The British House of Com
mons first acquired any considerable power
in the State in the reign Of Edward Ill,
(1327-1377.) The members Of the Com
mons were not then so publicly selected as
at present. Many were unwillingly drawn
in ike sheriffs juries Their Office was
nominally to represent the people, but
really 70 sanction what the crown and the
lords proposed. Now petitions from the
people are presented to the Commons.
Then, the Commons petitioned the king.
It was not uncommon for the crown, while
it adopted what was pleasant, as a popular
endorsement, to set aside by the assertion
Of prerogative, what was not agreeable to
the royal wish, or even TO abrogate by
edict what the Commons had decided upon,
and that, too, when the crown had once
assented to the measure
The Commons in that day took the same
liberty with the king in their debates and
remonstrances as Is now taken with the
ministry. The legal fiction, ''tho king can
do no wrong" had not then been so fully
endorsed as in later times Indeed, the
liberties which the Commons took with
''sacred majesty" were much greater and
more personal than anything now permit
ed. They criticised the monarch's private
conduct with so little reserve, that Edward
III was compelled by the Commons to
reform his household, and dismiss at least
one immoral inmate. Asabove remarked,
the Commons was more petitioning than
demonstrating, and quasi judicial than
legislative assembly.
The first Speaker" elected by the Com.
mons was in the Parliament which was
summoned upon the accession Of Richard
III (1377.) The member chosen to this
important Office was Peter de Ia Mare
The significance of this choice is shown in
the fact that during the previous reign
Peter de la Mare had been imprisoned
and detained in custody for the freedom Of
his language in reference to the kings
female companions and ministers. The
duty Of the Speaker Of the British Com.
mons upon his first election is to ''speak, {"
in behalf Of the House, his petition to the
Crown, ''that the Commons, during their
sitting, may have free access to the King
or Queens Majesty, freedom Of speech in
theirown House, and security from arrests. {"
These petitions point very clearly to the
circumstances under which Peter de la
Mare was elected speaker" He .spake'
to some purpose, as from the beginning
the subsequent Constitution of the House
of Commons, has, BY law, custom, aud pre-.
cedent, been formulated, the duties and
privileges Of that body have been defined
and our own Legislative customs have grown
mn. with such notifications ms the Consti-
tuition of the Republic required.
The proceedings Of the first Commons.
81