Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-08-19
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.



Queer Routine About the Election Of .
Speaker for That Body.
The election OF speaker Is rather
an interesting ceremony. The men,
Der proposed remains seated in the
body OF the house until the vote is
declared. when. after the leaders of
all the political partie, have eulo-
gized his character and expressed
their desire to support his authority.
he proceeds to the steps OF the chair
and submits himself to the house
begging them to consider we'll their
choice before deciding. No dissen-
tient voice being heard he accepts
the Office and seats hims slf in the chair
amid plaudits from all sides.
Some nominal business having been
done short recess follows. after
which the speaker elect reappears in
court dress black cloth coat with
lace frill and braided buttons black
kerseymere brooches black silk stock
ings. shoes with silver buckles and
over all richly braided gown with II
long train and n full bottomed curled
white wig falling on his shoulders.
He is preceded by tho sergeant-at-
arms in full court dress and sword.
bearing the gold mace and followed
by retinue Of ushers and other offici-
ais
In the meantime word has been
sent the sovereign OF tho election. and
only a few minutes later a royal mes.
sanger arrives conveying her males
tvs pleasure that her faithful com
mons" should present their speaker
to her at II certain date and hour
When the time comes the speaker
and his officers drive in state to the
palace. followed by his proposer and
seconder. and as many other members
rs choose to go The party is ushered
into the queens presence and the
speaker kneeling, claims for the
house of commons renewal Of theiI
ancient privileges and for himself
access TO the sovereign and all right.
ful favors. The queen greets him
graciousIy. congratulates the mem
bers on their choice promises TO up
hold and defend their rights and dis
misses them to their labors.
Thenccforward the speaker ceases tt
belong to any political party or take
any part in debates or divisions unless
compelled to exercise casting vote.
whici he always gives on that sid,
which allows OF further consideration
Of the question. His duty is to pre-
side over the pro ,eedings OF thu
house and to decide on all question.
Of order or procedure and his au
thority in every case is final
OF late years his personal powe
and responsibility have been vastl,
increased by the rules OF closure
which authorize and require him t,
use his discretion In cutting short de
bate when willful obstruction take
place, He has the power to suspen,
members or even to commit them t
prison for gross misconduct and hi
warrent is all powerful for the pun
ishment OF persons found guilty O
contempt OF the house On the othe
hand. he himself is exempt from ar
rest or any other legal process TO
acts done in his official capacity. A
any time when he chooses to retir
pawn ohN oPS"hOi VI w Do
cure reelection. he receives peer
age with hereditary descent to hi
leirs male.
The speaker receives a salary o
k!5. 900 year and a retiring pension q
sl2 800 for life and he has the contrc
,f patronage and expenditures indie
oendently of the government amount
ng to $3.50. 900 a year. He has
very handsome residence and suit @
} ices at the house of commons an
ais official dinners ana other enter
ailments are among the choicest fea
'ivities OF London society.
He goes in procession with his ser
geant chaplain and ushers the lace
skirts OF his long robe held up by trai
bearers to hear prayers, and rea'
open proceedings-a quaint little bi
If medi9valism which visitors in Lor
Ion may we'll spend a few moment
n Witnessing on all state O
, public occasions he comes immediate
litter the house OF lords and receive
high honors and Difference as the in
{ )ersonation OF the people of the Uni,