Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-01
IyTHE HOUSE OF COMMONS
ROUTINE THROUGH WHICH
Am VISITORS MUST PASS.
1,,,iconen AZ Every Hand-A omitted by
t,,s sneakers Order-Pounoed Upon ii
Won Loiter- Absolute Order in the
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LONDON, June Wv n6n IN American
wishes TO visit his servants, the members
~ Congress, at their work he finds no oD-
structions in his progress beyond an eN-
r44djng number of stone steps, which are
aot TO exhaust his wind, unless he knows
,rnere to ind the elevators. He enters
tbe building from any quarter, without
challenge, and winds from pillar 30 post
aud from floor to floor until he finds him
safin the corridors of the galleries, from
which he can step into the spaces re-
served for the public, the seats thus set
anart for his use atfording accommodation
for about about 1900 visitors in the House
Of Representatives and 200 in theSenate.
once inside, he must take his hat oil and
keen still. And when the days session
is over he can go down stairs and saunter
ii upon the floor and sit In the Speakers
..a4ir if he chooses, or strike up an
.uaintance with the members who
anser around him, or seek miscellane-
aus information from the clerks and
pages.
But we will suppose this person on his
travels and bringing up at night before
the gates of the Houses Of Parliament.
There is rush of cabs all about MIN,
streams of people are going every way,
and a great glare of light is flooding the
night and Illuminating the splendid struc-
ture and the Gothic beauty OF w estmln-
ster Abbey opposite. The visitor enjoys
the scene few moments and then steers
for the principal entrance. He encoun-
ters a policeman at once. Policemen are
tnnumerable, omnip0tent and vigllant.
Very likely they were noticing him as he
was standing in idle admiration on the
curbstone They ask him what he wants,
and he says he wants to go in. Then they
explain in civil but short sentences that
he must find a member, must get pass
from him, and must present it at par
ticular door at a particular time, and if,
after investigation by detectives, he is re-
ported to be an inofiensive person he can
then be admitted if there is room. Being
a stranger, he doesn't know any member,
and certainly has no claim on any one.
He insinuates 10 the policeman that some
slight assistance would result in an inter-
change of coin, but is told to stand aside,
and ultimately sinks off in the darkness,
quite relieved that he has escaped with
cut arrest.
But perhaps the next day he finds some
one who knows friend who is acquainted
with member, andso gradually he works
up to an introduction. That is the first
step. The member is cOmplaisant, and
says he will try. Then he gets the
strangers full name and address, and
finally tells him to go to the members en-
trance opposite the rear of Henry VII?s
chapel in the Abbey, show a card. and
keep on till he gets to the lobby Of the
House, where he will come out and give
him the pass.
At the proper time he makes his appear
ance at the door. A group of policemen
aud two or three overwhelming door
keepers in fun dress defend it, but, armed
with his credentials, he boldly makes
known his errand and is mOtioned in.
The first barrier is passed. He goes to
the end of hall. and a second group Of po-
lice ask him bis business. He shows mis-
card and passes on through the great hall
where the dynamite explosion occurred.
Police are as plentiful as hops, and the
visitor is made aware that his person is
closely watched for protuberances. Now
he is in the lobby, with a little assemblage
of favored people who have gotten as Tar
as he has, and ne gives his card to a mag
nihcent doOrkeeper and subsidies into line
With others, all under the inspection Of
the police. Pretty soon the member issues
from closely guarded portals and smiles
ana says be will try. And he does try.
He walks rapidly off to some mysterious
part Of the building, where the Speaker
mas an office, and in fifteen or twenty
minutes returns, bearing an order from
the Speaker, on the members recon-
mendatiOn and responsibility, for the
strangers admission. So, following in
his wake, he passes the third Gordon and
is in an inner lobby, where, if he tries to
lolter to look about him, he is instantly
bounced upon by a policeman and told to
move on. He is shown door, and, OPEN
ing 1t, he begins the ascent OF 3 winding
staircase to find himself presently before
turnstlle. At this gate very grave
man sits with large open book, and be-
hlnd him two or three more policemen.
Inc very grave man hands the now thor
Ougnly-cOwed visitor pen and bids him
write bis fun name, London address aud
nationality. The pen is bad and sputters,
the visitor torgers street and number, and
as ne writes United States he breaks Out
INTO cold perapiratiOn under the stony
glare OF the policemen's eyes. But. rather
10 ms surprise, he isn't arrested; and now
the last barrier is passed, and another
gorgeous d0orkeeper motions him to seat
~ gaiiery, ABOUT as big as horse car
and less comfortable.
Nothing surprises an American visitor
~ the House OF Commons more than the
smail size OF the chamber and its limited
recommendations for both members and
the public. Architecturally it is a superb
nan ana It's acoustic effects are fine, but
70 American notions IL is ENTIRELY made
quate "a dimensions. 1t is smaller more.
over than analogous chambers, not only
IN our own but in most other countries.
IL ls too small to seat the members on the
moor, though packed closely together
without desks or elbow ROOM And the
gallery space is contracted in the ex-
IRENE. There are in all five galleries 10
winch visitors have access under more or
less severe restrictions, aud the five ac-
eollmodate altogether perhaps $50 per-
sons or this tue three galleries FOR ms
Cellaneous visitors hold sixty spectators.
1hen there Is reporters gallery accom-
modatng forty, and latticed gallery
more.
IN these galleries the most abject order
prevails. One must not talk OF hang his
UYeieoat over the bench in front Of him or
eau or sleep or eat or take notes. And II
ne gets tired or hungry aud goes out he
cannot return.
Imagine the visitor satisfied with his
experience and once more at the turnstile
el ms way out. Again he passes under
,ae sharp eyes Of the very grave man and
sue police, and now begins a series Of SUI
'erNisions more extraordinary than those
~ snuured When approaching the hall,
Whlle the visitor passed four sets Oi
"N' as when going he passes no less than
eu heiore he reaches the ibertt OF the
san.