The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-05
The Speaker of the British House of
Commons.

Mr. Brand has been Speaker of the
House of Commons now for nine
years, and the moral suggested every
every time he takes the chair has
lost something of it's sharp point.
But it is undoubtedly notable
thing, a remarkable tribute to the
high tone of English political parties.
that Mr.. Brands nomination to
this office should have been received
without dissent, and that his conduct
in the chair should never be serious
ly called in question. Mr.. Brand
commenced his political career as
whip" of the Liberal party There
is nothing questionable in the busi-
ness arrangements ola whip, at least
i'll the present days. The earlier offi-
cial name of this minister indicates
possibilities of transactions that
would not always bear light. AS
Patronage Secretary it was not only
his business to whip up men who
were willing to vote from conviction,
but TO buy up others whose votes were
purchasable. A whip of to-day has
no patronage OF dispense. Still there
remains to him the duty of arrang-
ing for good divisions, and he must
co what he can to bring them about.
He is, in the fullest acceptation of
the term, a partisan. Naturally he
believes that his party and the state
are synonymous terms, and regards
as tautology Macaulay's lament for
the days when none were for the
party, but all were for the state" We
have IN recent times heard of the
consclences of Lords-in- waiting being
troubled, and Gold-sticks have re-
signed because of difference of opin-
ion with her Magesty's government
on questions of high policy. But no
one ever heard OF whip re-
signing because he thought that on
particular line of policy his col
leagues should have done something
else. In respect of all decisions, his
not to wonder why. His rather to
bring up the full voting power of
party, and be ready to account for
every absentee.
1t was after holding position OF
this character that Mr.. Brand was
nominated and elected to the chair.
No longer strid could he taken in
Parliamentary life. At single
bound he passed from strictest and
most unquestioning partisan into !
the seat or the judicial head of the /
House, the absolute impartial dicta
tor OF the momentous question mo-
mentarlly arising on the procedure |
OF the assembly. This happened in
1872, toward the close of the life of
the great Parliament of 1868. 1t
seemed a bole step, but it has been
FULLY justified by events. Mr.. brand
is certainly the best Speaker the |
present generation of members can
call to mind. He has peculiar
dlgnlfled manner, full resonant
voice, and deliberate, not to say
solemn, intonation. These are quail |
lles Of manner and appearance
which have great deal to do with
the successful tullfilment of the Off
ce. But Mr.. Brand has additional
qualities of mind and temperament
which complete the character of a
model Speaker. He is perfect
master of the laws, traditions, and |
which he has to administer. !
| do not remember his ever being
caught at disadvantage in this re-
spect. Yet the circumstance under
which lie is put to the test are fuller
1f difficulty then pertains to most ,
oilices of similar character. The
rules of the House of Cammons go
back overtwo hundred years. They
ire themselves numerous, and in
ninutia intricate. To master them
s, of course, matter of application.
What changes is circumstance. A