Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-04-17
The ChiItern Rnndreds.

What is meant BY the Stewardship Of
the Chiltern Hundreds. lately conferred
on Mr.. Bradlaugh and Mr.. Marriott?
II Is a nominal Office. in the gift Of the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, enabling
. member Of the House of Commons.
by constitutional fiction, to resign his
seat- Membership of the third estate
Of the realm, once obtained, is assumed
70 run an uninterrupted course from
the date of the return TO the general
election next ensuing. and n member,
not IN any other manner disqualified,
can only give up his trust in one way,
and that is by accepting an employ
ment of profit under the crown, in
which case he ceases TO be a member
until the constituency from which he
derived his representative position are
pleased TO re-elect him IL sometimes
happens. as in the instances cited. that
members are anxious to withdraw.
though only temporarily. in order TO
obtain fresh mandate from their con-
stituents; OF il may be that some elect
of county or borough desires to retire
altogether from the parliamentary
arena The modus operandi Is always
the same A formal application TO the
minister for the stewardship of the Chill
tern Hundreds Of Stoke. Des,orough.
and Bohemian. in Buckingham shire. or
Of the manOrs of Poynings. East Hen
dred, and NOrthstead. or the escheator-
ship Of Munster. all assumed 10 be
Offices Of emolument; and. if the minis
ter sees no reason to the contrary. the
applicant is forthwith granted. As a
matter Of fact. these stewardships are
not places of profit, but sinecures with
out salary, and the persons TO whom
they are given hold them By what may
be called tenure of grace.
Bohn's '-Cyclopndia of Political, Con-
stitutiOnal. Statistical. and Forensic
knowledge" saws that as soon rs the
stewardship (of the Chiltern Hucdreds)
''is obtained. it is resigned. tha. il may
serve the same purpose again.- Ger
tain specified government appoint
ments, frequently held by members Of
Parliament-being conferred by heads
of departments. and not directly BY the
crown-are exempt from the category
of employments which demand resigna-
ton with 4 view 10 reelection; such are
AlC AnaCA NlLllCl1AlCr VI Cl4lE anu ILc
Suryeyor-General of the Ordinance.
Since the year 1867 member already
In Office. accepting another post, does
not thereby vacate his seat Some
writers doubt the strict legality of tie
form. on the ground that the steward
ship fails TO embrace the full meaning
Of a place of honor and profit under
the crown" and strictly speaking that
IS so; but. Ike MercufiO 5 wound. twill
serve" The practice dates back about |
one hundred and thirty years, at which |
period the original object for which the /
post was created had long ceased |
to exist. Chiltern Is a ridge or series |
Of chalky hills extending across the |
county of Bucks, not far south of the /
center. reaching from Tring in Hert- |
fordsbire 10 Henley in Oxford, district /
anciently covered with dense beechen /
wood. the resort Of daring and desperate |
bold outlaws of the Robin 1
Hood type. who led n more or less /
merry life under the greenwood tree
II the expense Of the peaceable farmers
and villagers Of the uplands. Inasmuch /
rs il became necessary to clear the /
country of these bandifti BY bringing
hem TO the rough-and-resdy justice of
hose faf-Off days. the crown appointed
IN officer called the steward Of the
Chiltern hundreds. whose duty was to
pursue and arrest the brigaads. and
provide them with = shrift and 4 con-
-enient halter. In course Of ime Chilt-
IN became as free from footpads rs the
precincts of the royal palaces. 50 that
he sctive duties of the stewardship fell
nto desuetnde. and the salary ceased 10
'e paid Yet the hOnorific Office re-
NAMED. a shell minus a kernel. and
ONE time about 1850 n Minister ot
tate applied it TO its present purpose.
London Teie0rQDh.