The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-25

In reference to the bill in question, which
was regarded by the masses OF the people as
bill for the relief of Mr. Bradlaugh their
lordships were not content with the mera
prerogative Of returning the bill without ap.
proval in case the lower house had
passed it, but they brought pressure to bear
while it was under discussion before the com.
moners, which was largely instrumental, il
is said, IN causing that body to reject the
measure. This course, however. though il
gives them a little temporary popularity
with the religious classes, was not much to
their credit as wise legislators any more than
was their rejection this week of a proposition
to open metropolitan museums and art gal
laries on Sunday. Such places are already
open in the outlying districts of the city on
that day. and by what principles of casuis
try it was found wrong or inexpedient to al
low in the city proper what is carried on with
such satisfactory results in the populous sub
urbs, is difficult to determine. At present
the only places of recreation, excepting the
parks (which can scarcely be visited with com.
tort save in the summer seaSon) open to Lon.
doners on the Sabbath day are the public
houses. But we must not censure their lord.
ships too severely. They were strongly
Influenced by the fear that to consent
TO the opening OF museums
on that day would be to encourage a demand
for the opening of theaters and places Of
amusement generally, a feeling for which
many in the United States, who have had
practical and painful experience in such
matters should have the liveliest sympathy.
In the division on this question, the Prince
of Wales and his brother the Duke of Edin-
burg, voted with the minority in favor of
Sunday opening, and as showing the relative
status of the two houses on liberal questions
of this character it may be added that recent
votes show the House of Commons to be
looking with increasing favor on such move
ments, while the House of bords as shown
W re n Y1aai ifxyo Of 70
day night, against Al to "a two years ago
is evidently progressing in the other direo-
ton.
SUSPICIOUS CONDUCT
In seeking admission to the House Of Com
mons, after a brief look at the Lords, on the
occasion when I started out to "do" Parlia-
ment with the object of testing the
degree of terror that was abroad in the
land, the only things that appeared sus-
picious were, first, the frequency with which
members and their friends went to the lobby
are TO regale the inner man, and secondly,
the request of the policeman who had point
ed out some of the notables, who whispered
to me as | left him to go to, the Strangers
Gallery to be sure and "leave liquor with
the bobby inside" Perhaps, thought l,
these people are drinking to keen their cour-
age up. and if they are who can blame them
things in the near future. Inside all was se-
rene barring the row the Opposition was
trying to kick up because the government
had beaten them on recent vote think it
perfectly. right, by the way, that the word Op-
position, as applied to the party out OF power
here should be spelt, as it invariably is
with big o. for the way in which they ques-
ton and badger and almost black guard her
Majesty's ministers would do credit to
shyster lawyer in an American police court,
who having bad case, seeks to advance his
clients interests by pitching into the lawyer
on the other side. To hear young fellow
like Lord Randolph Churchill reproach the
Prime Minister for having left mis- post of
duty one night as early as 1 O'clock TO the
detrlment, as he claimed, OF the business of
the House. and observe that Mr.. Gladstone
had no alternative but to grin and bear such
an assault, was fully as much as my inclina-
tion to hero-worship could stand. Later in
the evening the vanity OF this young man
was rebuked by Mr.. Gladstone stepping out
of sight behind the Speakers stand; Just as
Lord Randolph was utterng something, to
which, he said, he wanted the Premier's par.
ticular attention; an act done. however, more
from playful than from spiteful motives, and
at which the House shook itself with laugh
ter. The event of the evening was, of course
the speech made by Mr. Gladstone himself.
Stately and venerable in presence, with
strong features, sharp, penetrating eye
forcible, yet graceful gestures, and voice Of
WIDE compass, held well under control-this
great man makes an impression on the mind
OF one vino hears him for the first time that
is not likely to be soon erased. He is hard
worked and must be very tired yet he shows
no sign of feebleness in his manner in speak
ing or in the grip he has on the subject His
one defect is the very common English habit
OF halting occasionally at the beginning of a
sentence, and drawling out a protracted
ah-, as though waiting for his thought to
mature and shape itself into appropriate
words | heard several more fluent speak
ers that night, but none that spoke with so
much precision or force, and the longer !
live and the more l see and hear of the
worlds greatest orators the more | am con
WINGED that iuency of utterance is not neces-
sary eli ther to'eloquence or oratoriCal weight,
but that often it is a bar to these qualities IN
enabling the speaker to roll out his thoughts
before they are sufficiently part of himself
or have been charged with the proper degree
of warmth from contact with his own con
weighing three-quarters of a pound, are TO
Yictions.
THE SUBJECT OF DEBATE
The particular subject under debate oD this
occasion was the contagious diseases acts. and
the Opposition appeared to be mad because
the government had lent its influence to the
passage of a resolution annulling that por-
ton of these acts which provided fos the
compulsory examination of women. The
abrogation of this feature, it was claimed,
utterly destroyed the utility of the acts.
Members representing the three naval and
garrison towns, where the acts have been en-
forced and for whose benefit they were
specially passed, made strong statements as
to their effectiveness and indeed this had
already been attested by the report OF a com
mittee of investigation Cases of disease
among soldiers and sailors, it was maintained,
had been greatly reduced in number, and the
acts it was further shown, had restrained
many young women who otherwise would
have been led into life of prostitution.
The people OF the towns interested were