The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-06-25
THE SPEAKER OF THE
BRITISH HOUSE OF
COMMONS.

years, and the moral suggested every
time he takes the chair has lost
something of its sharp point. But j!
is undoubtedly q notable thing, 9
remarkable tribute to the high tone
OF English political parties, that Mr..
Blano's nomination TO this Office
should have been received without
dissent. and that his conduct in the
chair should never be seriously
called into question. Mr.. Brand
commenced bis political career as
whip" of the Liberal party. There
ia nothing questionable in the bust
ness arrangements of q whip, at least
in the present days. The earlier off,
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 con Viction, but to buy up
others whose votes were purchasable.
A whip of to day has no patronage to
dispense. Still, there remains te him
the duty of arranging for good divi-
sions, and he must do what he can
to bring them about. He is, in the
fullest acceptatiop of the term, a par
tizan. Naturally be believes that his
party and the state are synonymous
terms, and regards as tautology Ma
cauley's lament for the days "When
none were for the party, but all for
the state" We have in recent times
heard of the consclences of Lords.in-
waiting being troubled, and Gold
stick have resigned because of differ
ence of opinion with her Maiesty's
government on questions of high
policy. But no one ever heard of
whip resIgning because he thought
that upon particular line of policy
his colleagues should have done some
thing else. In respect OF all deci-
sions, his not to wonder why. His
rather to bring up the full voting
power of the party. end be ready to
account tor every absentee.
1t was after holding a position of
this character that Mr.. Brand was
nominated and elected to the chair.
No longer stride could be taken in
Parliamentary life. At single bound
ne passed from strictest and most
uneuestioning psrtizsn into the seat
Of the judicial head of the House, the
absolutely impartial dictator of the
momeptous questions momentarily
arising in the procedure of the assem-
bly,. This happened in 1872, toward
the close Of the life of the great
parliament OF 1868. It seemed a
bold step, but has been folly justified
By events. Mr.. Bland is certainly
the best Speaker the present genera
ton Of members can call to mind.
He has peculiarly dignifed manner,
a full resonant voice, and a de- |
iberate, not to say solemn, intona-
tien. These are qualities of manner
and app rance which have q great !
deal to do with the successful fulfil |
ment of the Office. But Mr.. Bland
has the additional qualities of
mind and temperament which
complete the character of q model
Speaker. He lie a perfect master of
the laws, traditions, and customs
which he has to administer. l do
not remember bis ever being caught
at disadvantage in this respect. Yet
the circumstances under which he is
put to the test are fuller of difficulty
than pertains to most Offices of q
similar character. The rules of the
House of Commons go back over two
hundred years. They are themselves
and in minute intricate.
To master them is, of course, q mat
ter of application. What che nges is
A man may have the
rules of the House of by heart, but
be can not foresee the concentrations
If circumstance that suddenly arise
and demand instant decision from
he chair. The House may be pro.
droWsily through debate.
The horizon may seem as clear as it
lid to Mr.. Hammond when, on the '
we of the outbreak of the war be- {
Ween France and Prussia, Lord
Granville consulted him on the state {
# the political weather. In a mo- !
nent. in the twinkliDg of an eye, {
torn may break forth. All the
benches nay be in uprosr. halt a t
oxen members may be on their feet
It one time, ami the Speaker may be '
allied upon without a moments hest :
alton to decide a knotty question
the necessity that he shall i
lavs paid the closest attention to s
THAT has been as;d during the earlier {
art of the sitting.
These crises have more eq1sntly e
ccurred in the time OF Nr. Brand
han any preceding Speaker. His 8
srm oil office will be forever memor- E
bic by reason OF the birth of Irish Il
bstruction. He has had TO grappIe a
18th this in It's manifold and aIways G.
irile forms. 1t is too much to claim o
for any man, and there ia
lsy possibly have 0een occasions u
hen. the episode complete and time ID
,r reflection sff0rded, wise people o.
ave been able 70 point out wherein o.
ne Speaker would have done better "
ad be done otherwise. But the 81
psaker unhappily has not these ad-
antages OF opportunity for reflection.
nd OF consideration OF the episode as
whole, including the consequences
tho nkoU ha mon tal1a NJ hau m / ~