The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-28
SPEAKER OF THE COMMONS.


An Important and Desirable Oiiice-its ray
and Emoluments.
The Office of Speaker is one of the most desir-
able in the English governmental system, on ac
count of the emoluments and position which
are attached to it The Speaker of the House of
Commons has long held the undisputed rank of
First Commoner ofthe realm, taking his place. out
of Parliament as well as in it, next TO the peers,
and having this precedence at the table OF the
PTiyy Council On various occasions previous
TO the overthrow of the Stuart dynasty by the
revolution of 1853, the Speakers shad boldly as
serted their official and personal rights against
the encroachments Of the Grown, and since that
date the Office has been regarded as impor
tant, and its occupant as consequential, as at
the present day. 1t is not often that there is
contest over it. Such contest, however,
and u very warm one, occurred in 1885 on
which occasion the largest number of mem
bers ever brought together in the House was
attracted by the novelty and supposed impor-
lance Of the issue. Ono Speaker, Onslow, filled
the Office during thirty three years, embracing
the entire period of the reign of George Ii, while
Mr.. MANIFESTATION occupied the chair for
eighteen years Each new Parliament, at its
opening session, elects n Speaker from among
its own members, and the previous incumbent
of the Office is usually, although not invariably,
reelected, the exceptions to this custom being
the result generally of causes outside of politics
The method of installing this official is some
what novel The House of Commons is in
formed that it Is the pleasure Of the sovereign
that they should select proper person to pre-
side over their deliberations, and present him for
She approval and confirmation OF the Crown.
Thereupon the choice is made, and the
new Speaker puts forth q claim on be
half Of the House for all its ancient rights
and privileges Previous to 1853 it was held
that the House could not remain in session with
ont the presence Of The presiding officer, but IN
that wear this absurd notion was upset. on the
recommendation of committee and the House
resolved that whenever the Speaker was una
yoidaby prevented from attending its sessions,
MS place Should be taken by the chairman of the
committee of the whole House. Although the
work of the Speaker is necessarily very fatlguing
during the session. the labor of the Office is fully
compensated for by its emOlumentS. Tho holder
of the Office is provided with a magnificent resi-
dence, furnished and maintained at the public
expense, and containing one hundred apartments,
becomes a member of the PriYy Council, as well
as the First COmmoner in the realm, and receives
salary of $25, 600 year
Since the beginning of the present century
there have been only seven Speakers, and there
have been only five since the death of George
III which occurred over sixty years ago When
George " succeeded. in 1920, Mr. C. Manners
Sutton was Speaker, having been chosen in 1871,
and he remained Speaker down TO the dissolu-
ton Of the first reformed Parliament in 1884
On the the meeting Of the next Parliament, on
the 18th of February. 1885, his reelection was
opposed, this first opportunity for trial of
strength between the two political parties being
taken. On that occasion the new Ministry (Sir
E. Peels) was defeated, the numbers being,
for Mr. James Abercromby PIC, and for
Sir c. Manners Sutton BOG. The latter
was then created Viscount Canterbury
Mr Abercromby was Speaker only for very
few years. He retired at the Whitsuntide
recess. in 1899. and again there was a contest.
Mr.. Shaw Lefevre was elected by the narrow
majority of eighteen over Mr.. Goulburn in a
House of $40 members. and held Office for eigh-
teen years. on until 1851 On his retirement a
vote Of thanks was conveyed to him for his emf
nent services and he was raised to the peerage
with the title of Viscount Eversley. He was re
Speakers chair. Mr.. Evelyn Denison, who sue
ceeded him in the Office, continued Speaker for
fifteen years, retiring in February. 1872 Mr..
Denisou received the same hOnOrs as his prede-
cessor, being created Niscount Ossington. No
pension, however vas granted to him, as he in
tmated on his retirement that he had private
fortune that would suffice, and that for the few
years of life that remained TO him he should be
happier in feeling that he was not a burden to
his fellow countrymen Mr. Brand, who was
unanimously chosen to succeed Viseount Oss
ington, has held the Speakers chair for twelve
years He retires as Baron Hampden, and &C
cepts both the peerage and the pension