The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-10-11
THE IRISH PARLIAMENT.

THE IRISH PARLIAMENT.
A very singular custom prevailed in !
the Irish House OF Commons, which new
err was adopted in England, nor have
ever seen it mentioned in print. The
description of it may be amusing.
On the day whereon the routine bust |
ness OF the budget was to be opened for
the purpose OF voting supplies, the speak |
er invited the whole OF the members to
dinner in the house, in his own and the
adjoining chambers. Several peers We're
accustomed to mix in the company !; and
/ believe an equally happy, joyous, and
convivial assemblage of legislators never
were seen together All distinctions as
to government or opposition parties were
totally laid aside; harmony, wit, wine,
reigning triumphant. The speaker, clerk,
chancellor OF the exchequer, and very
few veteran hnancers remained in the
house till the necessary routine was gone
through, and then joined their happy
comrades-the party seldom breaking up
till midnight
On the ensuing day the same festivities
were repeated; but on the third day, when
the report was to be brought in, and the
business discussed in detail. the scene
totally changed; the convivailsts were
now metamorphosed into downright
public declamatory enemies. and ragged.
on opposite sides of the house, assaled
each other without mercy. Every ques-
tionable item was debated-every prop
osition deliberately discussed-and more
jealous oY assidous senators could no.
where be found than in the very mem
bcrs who, during two days, had appeared
to commit the whole funds OF the nation
to the management OF half Il dozen arith
meticanS.
But all this was consonant to the ma
tional character OF the individual Set
them ut table, aud no men enjoy them
selves half SO much; set them To busl.
ness, no men ever worked with more
earnestness and effect. \ steady illsh :
man will do more in an hour. when fairly
engaged upon Il matter which he under
stands, than any other countryman ESQ
far, at least, Il 5 my observation has gomez
in two j; the persons OF whom | am more
Immediately speakng-they certainly
were extraordinarily quick and sharp! |
am. however, at the same time ready To
admit that the lower order of officials
such Tor instance IS mere clerks in the
participation in the praise | have given
their superiors; they were on the other
hand, frequently confused an Incorrect !;
and among that description of persons
believe there were then fewer competent
men than in most countries.
Another custom in the house gave rise
to very curious anccdote. which shall
here mention. The members OF parlia-
ment formerly attended the House oI
Commons in iuil dresS-an arrangement
first broken through by the following
circumstance
A very important constitutional ques
ton was debating between government
and the opposition = question, by ths
by. ut which my English reader viii
probably iecl surprised namely. las Il
she application OF Il sum OF sixty thou
sand pound. then lying inappropriate
in the Irish treasury, being Il halauc'
after paving all debts and demands upon
the country and its establishments. Ih
numbers seemed to be nearly poised
although it had been supposed that Tn
majority would incline to give ii to tn
king, while the opposition would rec
ommend laying it cut upon the country
when the rgvant alarms reported ina
member wanted to force INFO the house
undressed, in dirty boots, and splashe'
up to his shoulders
The speaker could net oppose custor
to privilege. and was necessitated TO al
nit him 1t proved to be MIR. Tottenham
OF Ballycarney. County OF Wexford
covered with mud, aud wearing 4 pal
OF huge lack-b boots. Having heard tbs
The question was likely TO come on soone
than he expected. he had, lest he shout
not be in time. mounted his horse !
Ballvcarny. set of in the night, riddle
nearly sixty miles up to the parliamen
house direct, and rushed in, witaol
washing or cleaning himself. to vote II
the country. He arrived just at Il
critical moment and critical ii was. Il
the numbers were in truth equal, aud h
casting vote gave 4 majority of one
1.-The country party.
This anecdote could not die while Il
Irish parliament lived; and / recolle
.Tottenham in his boots remaining
down to very late period, stsndir
toast at certain patriotic Irish tables.
Being on topic and. confess. to n
it lis still an interesting one | must I
mark singular practical distinction
the rules of tie Irish and English Hous