New-York tribune., 1885-08-16
GETTING INTO THE COMMONS
PARLIAMENT WELL GUARDED BY POLICE

n stranger VINO aCCeInplS 10 NlSiJ tilo ilouSco
Of Parliament has to gauntlet OF policemen. He
will see policemen to the right of him. policemen to the
LETT of him. and policemen front OF him and behind
him. Yet found the task Of getting into the House OF
Commons less difficult than I expected. Having
decided to leave London this afternoon for few days,
and the chances being that the session and the present
Parliament would come to end before my return,
bethought yesterday morning that my only opper-
tunity to the House at work would be last evening
OF course knew that note from q member neces
sary to secure admittanee; md I was unfortunate
enough not to know single member. spoke TO
friend about the matter and was told that when ne
applied to a .Dember (whom he knew for admission
It was week before he received the necessary paper
which was not reassuripg However, be suggested that
an application to q member whose name is well known
on both sides Of the Atlantic might be successful In my
case BY the advice Of another acquaintance set out
about o'clock call upon this gentleman at his house.
with SOME difficulty found his modest residence In tho
vicinity OF Eaton Square but he was not at home;
would probably find him at the House Of Commons, tho
housemaid said. Or my way thither wrote note to
the member In question, saying that O stranger
in London and explaining why 1t necessary for me
to sec the House never-at least on this trip.
then approached the Parliament Buildings thinking
by the gateway to Westminster Hall through
New Palace Yard had not proceeded ten feet inside
the gate when a policeman up and inquired bust
ness I was prepared for this, and held up my note
(which carried in my hand, saying that wished to
send this note to Mr.. and get answer. The
other entrance by st. Stephens AL" said the police
man with gesture toward the southern end OF the
buildings Past the hawning" he added. as hesltatea
evidently meaning tho close wooden fence which con-
ceas the work going whero the old Law Courts Stood
At the end OF this fence found the entrance to st.
Stephens Porch guarded by policeman. to whom
presented my note. stating that 1t was for Mr. and
would walt for an answer Go right ahead" told
assed iD catching momentsry glimpse Of the Great
urnto .uhfo oh 10 N fha
rublic At the next door. a few feet beyond, two
policemen duty. My note and the mention OF
the members name were enough. Hall right" said
one and on went through ST. Stephens Hail. only
gancng the statues Of Pitt, Fox, Burke. Grattan.
Ham pden the rest The entrance TO the fine central
hall guarded by two more blae-coated officials, who
told me to 40 right on up to the left"
number OF Visiting here. standing about In
various attitudes The door to the left opening into
corridor leading to the Commons. douby guarded.
railing extends out for ten feet more each side OF
tho door, and at each end Of each rail pocem
standing Behind the rails were several men. oil
evidently whiting Showing my note and mentioning
Mr. IS name for the fifth time. sent TO the
policeman next the door. whore repeated what had
already said so often. The policeman summoned an
attendant In evening costume who stood In the corridor
and 10 him explained my mission. He wonder
folly sleek-lOokng person, and he asked in pompous
tone n would wait for an hanswer replied In the
affirmative and was then told TO stand back
Taking place behind the railing close to the police
man, had ample opportunity TO study the handsome
hall and also the tand few womenl who came and
went "a we'll those who waited Many entered with
out challenge, being evidently known TO the police
officers; considerable number presented slips OF paper
giving them the right go In; Others cards
20 members and told. had becn TO wait back.
Suddenly there rose resounding cry, Hats of "
pronounced hahts ahf'l. followed by word unds-
tinsuishabe by my but which tho policeman (wno
coat assured me was strangers" Every hat was
removed from the direction of the House OF Peers
marched police Official followed by two officers OF the
carrying sort o ornanented rod or mace The police.
man explained that tbs the black rod and that
the Speaker OF the liause oI Commons vas being sum
moned the Lords 10 secure concurrence OF action
biis-.or something to that effect Presently from the
strangers" and the Speaker OF tho Commons. wearing
by one or two other officials In wigs and and
several attendants OF wnon bore the golden mace
chair and close 10 the clerks table. II seemed 10
little heavily on hs shoulder. for he shifted
srangcrs rang through the hail. aud tho Speaker and
his cortege retrrnea 70 their own chamber.
After waiting little over twenty minutes was
started while elancng over guide book to hear hear the
policeman within two ieet ot @ Mol" Ws s,anHinS, eau
ber Who heard OF mo before had come ont in
response 10 my note and assured me that he would DO
what Inc could 20 admission for me. although he
was doubtful whether he could succeed He then
mace behind tho railing After waiting fifteen minutes
longer saE Mr.. approaching. He hel1 slip 1f
paner In his hand. and was allowed To pass the police
man Apologizlng for forcing myself upon him. Mr.. =
assured me that had eiven him no trouble and that he
was always friendly to Americans He showed me the
door leading to the gallery. hardly waited for my
goDd place handed the slip Of paper It was about
1--WE inches square ana road "a follows:
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
ADMlTrANCg TICKET No. l23
To STRANGERS GALLERY.
OF lFriiay july 3I, 1885.
(Nt1ab,r's na,ne)
EDWARD PoNsoNBY. Speakers Secretary.
The member's name and the date written by him
red ink: After D. galleries hIled mp" This did
to be the case for men kept coming aud going
passed up wnlil stairway ON the wall at the head
was this announcement:
NOTICE.
ALL DEMONSTRATIONS
by Strangers In tue Gallery
Are Out or Order ana Must
Be Treated Accordingly
by order OF the scrjeant- at Arms.
Passing through door entered small room. and in
front OF me was turnste- An attendant took my
amittance ticket ana requested me to write my name
aud address in huge book. Then passed the turnsc
went up 1--WE steps and turned ghted corridor
leading the gallery At the entrance to tbs corridor
the notice about demonstrations was repeated. The
gallery was abont twothrls full when entered-t win
not hold than 100 persons should sayand easily
got q seat Au attendant was constantly on hand "
keep order. opened gude-book to learn the dmen-
slons ~ the hall In moment he tapped mo on the
shoulder You not allowed to read hooks here" |
he said; "you supposed to come to listen to the
debates Iaasmnch as division Of the House mad Just
tho dyison lobbie ana nothing was done In the hall
for the next three or f0ur mnuteh The remark about
listening the debates" did not to have much
pertinencv In fact, hearing the House OF Commons |
debates from the Strangers Gallery Is very uasasfac
tory business. The grrater part or what said might
as well have been said In Latin for all could distin
glish II seemed strange, OF course 70 American
this welghty Parliamentary body seated ON leather
upho benches. many Of tho members with their
hats pu without desks the slightest facites for
writing or making notes except on their knees.
It part of my urpose to describe wha. heard Or
the men whom saw. I will only add that | heard |
speeches none Of them very long made by tue Attorney
Mccarthy and two Others whom cared TO hear,
Mr. Gada.one sat In tho left members gallery and /
seemingly gave close attention to part OF the debate
Ho was the sole occupant Of that gallery.
when came out was shown to a passage leading /
directly 70 New Palace Yard. On the way passed no
less than fifteen policemen by actual count Mono Of
them accosted me.