The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-23
CONGRESS AND PARLIAMENT.
The characteristics of tho American and
English Legislative systems Contrssted.

Prof Snow delivered last evening the con
Guiding lecture of the course upon the Brit
ish and American Governments. This fna
lecture was comparison between the
English Parliament and our Congress
The lecturer stated that the members
of the House of Commons arc elected
for a period OF seven years, but the
House remains in existence only during
the consent of the Crown, the British ruler
having the power TO dissolve the existing
House at any time and cause an election of
new members. The members of that body,
therefore, serve only at the will of the
ruler, while III our country, although the
members of the House are elected for only
two years at time they have an assur-
ance of serving their full term, as there is
no authority to depose. them, The qualif-
cations necessary to become British
Commoner are that he be natural
born citizen and q years of age. A
noble possesses a seat in, the House of'Lords
as soon as he becomes a representative Of
his family.
In our country the age at which man
may become member of Congress differs
for the two houses, and naturalized citi-
zen may fill either position. The Speaker
is chosen in the Lower English House in
manner similar to our Speaker, although
he generally holds office for long term of
years, without regard to the dominant
party, while here the Speaker always be-
longs to the party in power.
In the English House business is
not done by committees, as in
our Congress, and there are no stand
ing committees. The power of origin
kills 10 ,,l I
in both countries. In England the Upper
House has but the power to receive or re-
ject these bills, while in our country the
Senate has the power to amend
The members OF. the British Parliament
wear their hats, except when passing or ad-
dressing the Speaker. The Parliamentary
sessions begin in January or February, ana
generally extend ipto the month of August.
The sessions OF Congress extend from De-
cember to March, and occasionally until
July. Measures, instead of being proposed
by individuals as in our House. are pro-
posed by members of the Cabinet in Eng.
land. The British Cabinet officers not only
have seats, but are members of Parliament
while our Cabinet officers have neither seat
nor voice in the House.
The members OF the British Cabinet are
appointed by the Queen, but hold their of
fee, according to custom, only so long Il.
they have majority of the House of Com
mons III their favor. No member of the
House of Commons can resign in forma
way. In order for him to get out of office
it is necessary that he be appointed to "Tht
Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds" {
position which he may resign at pleasure
Although the laws are against it, custom
has sanctioned the admission O
strangers and reporters to the leeislatiy,
halls of England separate galleries beinl
set apart for their use.
The lecture closed with some stereoptcor
views of the interior of the House of Lord
and external views of the House of Parlia
ment, the United States Capitol at Wash
ington and other interesting public build
ingS.
There will be no more lectures under tn,
auspices of Washington University unit
February, 1889, when new course will b.
announced.-[St. Louis Globe-Democrat.