The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-13
KITCHEN OF THE COMMONS
Sedate British II. P'S Take Lunch
and Ale,

ana Ale,
They Eat, Smoke and Chat, But Leave
Politics Outside Of the Restaurant
Prices TO Suit thePooket of Anybody,
and Meals at Any Hour.
From tho ST, James Gazette.
Dining has always played an important
part in the business Of a British legisla-
TOR, and to this is no inconsiderable de-
gree due the fact that for many years the
House of Commons has been nicknamed
THE pleasantest club in London" Even
as far back as the days of commonwealth,
the speaker was once compelled, owing to
the great rush from the house during de-
bate, 10 tell members that "they were
unworthy to sit in this great and wise as
sembly in a parliament, that would so run
forth for their dinners" Much has hap
pened since then; but the tendency of
members to run forth for their
dinners" has not changed, except
possibly for the worse. The dinner hour
is still what it ever was-a period con-
sccrated to small talk and small takers,
and a carefully selected menu is invari
ably an object of far greater interest to
the majority of members than an elabor-
atelY prepared political disquisition.
The fact is that tbs disposition TO regard
the house as a club quite as much as
legislative assembly has strengthened
rather than weakened with the lapse of
years. The democrat not less than the
aristOcrat has love for club life. and
the representatives of the new order of
politicians brought TO the front by recent
constitutional changes take as kindly to
the social life of St. Stephens as did the
young blOOds of half a century ago. And
it must be- conceded that the club view
Of the House of Commons is one to which
the arrangements for the comfort of
members seem to LEND sanction.
While the legislative chamber Is so
small that it can accommodate, and then
only with difficulty, but two-thirds of the
members a magnificent suite of dining
rooms, reading and smoking rooms, and a
splendid library are set apart for the pur-
poses of relaxation, where the member
may not only enjoy the society of his
brother legislators, but, under certain not
very OnerOus conditions, entertain his
friends of both sexes The apartments
are provided with every requisite, and an
annual subsidy of a substantial amount is
paid from the imperial funds toward the
working expenses of what is Officially
known as the Kitchen department"
THE KITCHEN COMMITTEE.
In olden days there was no recognized
department to look after the Great
comfort of members. The supply of
refreshments was controlled by door
keepers, who had other valuable perqui-
sites, but when the old house of parlia-
ment was destroyed and the members
moved into new quarters committee
was appointed specially to supervise the
kitchen department. This body employed
a contractor, but his method of supply
ing members with what they wanted
at reduced rates was unsatisfactory;
and although the system was to be 50 rated
for so many years as to Justify the belief
that it had become permancy, IL was
finally-a few years ago-abOlished. The
members decided that they should pro
vide for themselves, and accordingly W.
CrichtOn Saunders, the present manager
of the department of refreshments, was
appointed. He acts under the immediate
orders of the kitchen committee and the
result has been a reduction of % per cent.
in prices while it is gen
orally acknowledged that the cuisine
was never better than at present. The
kitchen committee, like all others. re-
fleets the political complexion of the dom
inant party, but in the main practical
considerations dictate the choice of its
members. So much 50 that of late wears
the Irish home rulers have had as repre-
Sentatives in the body some of their mem
bers most obnoxious to the tories This
presumably on the theory that, however
much their politics might be condemned,
there could be no denying to the Green
islanders keen capacity for Judging the
quality of whisky. Mr.. Biggar, ''the
father of obstruction" for many years
was a leading member of the committee,
and later there was no more interchangeable
member Of the same body than DR.. Tan
ner. 1t need hardly be said neither Sir
Wilfred Lawson nor any of his fellow
prohibitionists is to be found on the tast-
| ing committee
APPETfzING DINNERS AT SMALL COST.
1t is a task of no slight magnitude that
devOlveS upon the kitchen cammittee and
its manager. On n busy day as many as
$50 lunoheons, from $50 to 300 teas. and
$50 dinners, to say nothing of snacks
served at the bars, will be provided At
such things there will be 100 walters,
barmcn and kitchen hands employed, and
the receipts will total up a good round
sum The great difficulty which has to
be encountered, however, is not the ex-
tent of the operations in the refreshment
department, but the uncertainty of the
business III LDc mousse, An unexpected Ql-
vision on motion for the adjournment of
the house will, in an hour, double
the number of intending diners ;
while the sudden collapse of a debate
viii produce exactly the opposite effect.
Again, an unusually prOtracted sitting of
the house will cause a heavy run upon
the laFder which could not possibly have
been foreseen. For all these
changes Mr.. Saunders has TO be
prepared, and the marvel is that, with so
much to contend against, he is rarely
found wanting. The member can always
look forward with absolute certainty TO a
weli-cooked dinner whatever happens,
and, in some respects, he could not be bet
ter served anywhere else in London
The House of Commons chef, for ex-
ample is famed for his turtle soup Con-
noisseurs in such matters declare that it
cannot be equaled, and the menu of no
really smart dinner party at the house is
complete which does not include it. AS
TO charges, there is no first-class club in
the metropolis where dining is less ex-
spensive, Off desired-mOre luxurious.
If a member be OF frugal mind he can
for half a dollar have soup and fish, or
Joint, with two vegetables, bread, pat of
butter and cheese. An extra dime will
enable him TO select any com
bination of three courses; for 81
he can command soup, fish,
entree, Joint and sweet and for 81. 25 he
may enjoy most delightful little dinner
of eight or nine courses. Should his