Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-26

W fOf all DANISH auIn0r1tleS TO all
possible assistance it can. Telegraph it to st.
Johns"
at Is very important to get capable man with
money as high up in Greenland as possible to send
sedge parties with native food and clothing under
pay and bOuntieS to meet Greely See the Secre-
tary, and do it Ii possible by telegraph to Mallory"
The first reply received by Gen. IIaZen stated in
eject that the secretary OF Warhad considered the
matter and would send the aid suggested The
second stated that the project had been abandoned
NO new witnesses were examined to-day. The
court adjourned until tomorrow
Omission to the Floors OF Congress.
PRACTICE IN THE PAsT-How THE HOUSE OF COM
MONS REGULATES TIE SEATING OF MEMBERS.
In connection with the proposed Senate rule ex-
Guiding from the floor Of the Senate all except
members of the two houses Of Congress and bona
dt private secretaries of Senators a reference to
the rules in respect to admitance of any outsiders
to the floors Of each house OF Congress prior to the
war becomes of interest.
In 1850 the doorkeeper OF the Senate had book
In which every one applying for admission. and
claiming the privilege of the floor was required to
write his name, together with the designation of
the office or the title by virtue OF which he claimed
When the House OF Representatives met In the
old hall, correspondents and reporters OF news
papers throughout the country were allowed to
occupy seats upon the floor OF the House. This was
mentioned In debate in the House in 1860 as hav-
Ing been former practice They had desks
House,
when they passed that bar" said Representative
in the debate to which allusion is made it was con-
sidered an intrusion, and that they had exceeded
the privilege conferred upon them. When the
House OF Representatives removed to the new hall
correspondents and reporters were assigned the
gallery they now use.
EX-CoNGREssMEN ACTING - CLAIM AGENTS.
Ihere was an animated discussion in the House
OF Representatives, in March. 1860 as to whether
eX-members OF Congress should be given the prlvi-
lege of going on the floor of the House. One of the
objections made to it was that eX-members Of Con-
gresS became claim agents frequently. and took a-
vantage .of having the privilege OF going upon the
fOOr or the House to prosecute the claims of their
clients more successfully than could other claim
agents who were not permitted access to men,
6erS While ON the floor of the House. Mr.. VAL
landi9ham said that If eX-RepresentativeS who
were prosecuting claims before the House or
Senate were allowed the privilege Of going upon
lne HoOr OF eltncr house OF Congress, IL would be
sort OF compulsion upon those having claims to
employ none but eX-memberS OF Congress- and the
result certainly would be, If there no restrc-
ton, that none but eX-members would be retained
10 prosecute claims before Congress. 1t was re-
marked In the same debate that members OF Con
so1 an la eT passing Two or four years In Washing
lore the more apt to return there when not re-
s soaiS caoea h fea ss s fm + agents hs Mr.
mon talk OF the House and the Country that eX
members were crowdlng that hall, with a view OF
EXPRESSION Is, private claims against the govern
nent.
D1sREPUTABLE TO THE HOUSE.
For years 1t was complained of, and this practice
On the part OF ex-members was looked upon as dis
reputable to the body to which they had belonged.
They were present In such numbers during the ses-
sions of the House that finally they were excluded
from the privileges OF the floor of the House
Last week reference was made in THE STAR to the
contrast between the great style and dignity be-
longing 10 the Office Of Speaker of the English
House OF Commons, and the lack OF any such cerc-
monies with regard to the Speaker Of our House of
Representatives: On the other hand, however,
our representatives themselves have much more
done for their comfort when sitting in the House
than do the members of the House OF Commons.
HOW THEY MANAGE THESE THINGS ACROSS THE
WATER.
AS Is well known the latter have no desks. hut
the only means each Of them has Of securing any
seat he may prefer is not SO generally known nor
how udicrouS the practice in force there sometimes
becomes In Mays Parliamentary Practice It Is
said: SIN the Commons no places are particularly
allotted to members but it is the custom for the
front bench, on the right hand OF the chair to be
appropriated for the members OF the administra-
ti0n which is called the Treasury, or prlvy coun-
cillorS bench. The front bench On the Opnosito
side also usually reserved for the leading mem
belS OF the opposition who have served In htrh
Offices of state: but other members occasionally Sit
Oifer to the house. And on the opening OF a new
Parliament. the members for the city OF London
claln, ana generally exercise, the privilege OF sit
ung on Ihe treasury or privy councillors bench 1t
Is understood that members. who have received the
THANKS OF the house in their places are entitled by
courtesy, to keep the same places during the Par
Lament; and it is not uncommon for old members
VINO are constantly In the habit OF attending In one
pace, 10 oe allowed to occupy it without disturb
PREMIUM FOR ATTENDANCE AT PRAYERS
All other members who enjoy no place by
courtesy upon any OF these grounds, can only Sc
cure place for the debate by being present at
prayers. On the back of each seat there is brass
plate, In which member may put card with his
n IRA hrtl nv,
Of the 9th April, 1885, NO members name may he
affixed to any seat in the. House before the hour of
PRAYERS Cards with the words 'at prayers
printed on them are always put upon the table for
the convenience OF membeTS) Attempts having
been made to eyade the above order by placing
cards ON the seats before prayers, they We're
brought to the notice OF the House Goth April 1Sa6
and the practice was discontinued by order OF the
Speaker to the sergeant. But another practice has
since acquired recognition, by which members. be-
ing within the precincts Of the House, are allowed
70 70 G ther an mats upon particular seats in order
subsequent attendance at prayers ~
Places secured at prayers may be retained until
seat was superseded by a division, or by the
members attending the speaker to the house of
rCrS' roVa Mem theTe was commission for giving
when members leave their seats for a short time.
and on returning find them occupied by others
planned the rule of the house on this point:
"A member having been present at prayers and
titled to it for the whole night. But Should 1I q
member who had not been present at prayers leave
his seat, there is rule OF the house which gives
usual to permit member to secure it In his alb
sence by book, glove or hat.'n
SARATOGA STYLE
All that reads, it seems to me, as II the English
house OF commons had derived the last rule quoted
In respect to seats from the practices prevailing in
the ball rooms and on the piazzas at American
summer resorts, barring the title to seats conferred
by attendance at prayers MISS GRUNDY.
Some New Law Points.
QUESTIONING THE LEGALITY OF JUDGE SMELLS Ap-
PoINTMENT
In the case Of George Fry application for writ of
habeas corpus which has been granted by the
Court in General term, number OF new points
have been raised by the counsel Mr.. j. E. McNally
Fry was sentenced by Judge Smell of the Police