Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-08
THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER.

Inc election or Speaker OF the national House OF
Representatives renders opportune some alusion 10
lhe history OF the Office The title and many OF the
functions Of our Speaker are borrowed from the
asages Of the English House OF Commons
Peter de Montford, afterwards killed at the battle
| OF Evesham, was the first Speaker OF that House
AS Hen, Ill, 1260) Sir Thomas Hungerford Is said
70 have been the first named Speaker 1872 but Sir
feler de La Marc 1876. is supposed TO have been the
hioC regular speaker. Some OF the English Speakers
nave held the Office for many years as for Instance
onarles Abbot, lSos-lSl7, and Charles Manners Sut-
lOL, afterwards NfScOunt Canterbury. ls1.-lS3s
The term OF an English Parliament under the san
tennlal act, passed In 1714, does not now exceed
seven years, and Speaker elected at the beginning
vi new Parnament is expected to continue i1
once throughout that Parliament, unless he dies
OF resigns He does not have so much power as our
speaker put what he lacks in that respect he makes
up III excessive dignity and the deference shown
him. His duties are as various as they are
npoTtant nm He presides over the deliberations os
.e Rouse ana enforceS the observance OF all rules
Tor preserving order In its proceedings; he puts
every question and declares the Determination OF
Iile House AS mouth OF the House." (hence the
name OF Speaker.) he communicates its RESOLUTIONS
10 Others. conveys its thanks, and expresses It's
censure, Its reprfmandS, its admonitions Heis in
1tt the representative OF the House itself in ffs
powers, Its proceedings, and its dignity When ne
enters or leaves the House the is borne before
MN by the Sergeant-at-arms. When he Is tn the
clalr lt Is laid upon the table, and at all other
lllles, when the mace is not in the House, SC re-
iilallis win The Speaker, and accompanies him
upon all state occasions In rank the Speaker takes
precedence OF all commoners, both by ncient Gus
VIII. Mary, C. u, enactS that the lords commits
sl0nerS Tor the great seal, mot being peers shall
nave ana take place next after the peers OF this
feaim ana the Spea ker or the house OF commons"
ANSWERING THE BELL
Our Speaker does not enter or leave the House
powerful as he is in shaping legislation and second
In rank In the nation I'm the patronage at his dis
posal and third I'm official precedence on state occa
sions, In any such style as that above described.
Inc man, IL Is true, stands upright on pedestal
lpCl yVha n &c
away when the House is in committee OF the whole
out the Speaker enters the House TO take HIS chsf
literally at the cdu ora 6eu in his room, which is
attached to a telephone and connects with one In
tne house Seeing the present speaker hurrying
rom ms room towards the House this week the
writer asked coored messenger IL the Speaker
was going In to take the CHAIR recess beirg 1ust
over; "Oh, yes" answered The messenger ssthe
Dell has rung for him and he had to hurry ms one
would suppose page might be sent n 1ottfv hi,n
When wanted Instead OF his being rung for
HOW THE ENGLISH SPEAKER IS ELECTED
A speaker OF the English House OF Commons IN
elected according to the following prescribed form:
A member addressing himself to the Clerk fwho.
standing up, points to him and then sits DOWN pro
poses to the House some other member then present.
and moves that he do take the chair or this House
as Speaker ~ which motion is seconded by another
Speaker, the motion is ordinarily supported by an
influential member generally the leader OF the
House or commons, and the member proposed is
called by the House to the chair without any nneS
tlOn Delng put He now stands up In his place and
espresses ms sense or the honor proposed to be
conferred upon him, and Spbmits himself to tho
House; the House again unanimously call him TO
the chair, wnen his proposer and seconder
him to the chair. II another member nq%oe he prol
posed, similar motion is made and seconded
IN ll, regard to him; and both the candidates ad--
dresS themselves to the House. A debate ensues In
relation to the claims OF each candidate in which
clerk continues to act the part OF Speaker stand
speak, and then sitting dowE. When this debate Js
closed, the Clerk puts the question that the member
MS proposed, "do take the chair OF this House as
II the majority be in favor of the member first
proposed he Is at once conducted TO the chair but
otherw1Se aSimilar question is put In selation to
the other, which being resolved In the cf1rmattye
that member is conducted to the chair by ris PRO,
poser and seconder. (The refined cruelty OF max
ing the defeated candidates conduct the SUCCESSFUL
one to the place all have coveted, appears to be an
outgrowtn OF our own free institution.)
The Speaker-elect on being Conducted IN the
Satefa hanH On she e upper step and his
Tor the high honor the House had been nIssssd 70
confer upon him, and then takes his seat. The
mace, which up to this time has been under the
OF the House, with the Speaker I'm the chair. Mr.
speaker elect Is then congratulated by some Lead
Ing member and the House adjourns
Speakers OF the House OF Commons befone tsr-
Ing the oath as such must be Officially approved NV
S the sovereign which is done formally the DAY foi
minds the House that the first thing TO be done "a
70 take and subscribe the oath required by law.
step OF the chair, takes and subscrfbes the ooafh
accordingly. in which ceremonies he Is Followed nv
the other members who are present
Mnen ne retires from ONCE he is usually kni0htAd
ana receives pension for life Per. confrn onr
speakers take with them only the gayel thew hate
used as a reminder TO their families and fnfsre
generations OF their descendants or the honor
they have enjoyed Miss (ser,SrX rsyas
The Detroit Mutual Benefit association to-day. bv
Mr. John b Sweat entered suit against Nathan Il
Clarke. collecting agent OF the plaintiff from Ocro
Der la TO November LIST, l683, to recover ~ ~
ance OF $3o05o collected by him.