The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-29
MR.. HARDIE OBJECTED
DIDN'T WANT VICTORIA CONGRATU-
LATED ON THE BIRTH OF AN HEIR.
House of Commons "A Vigorous
Protest Against "Mummery.-

LONDON, June 2S.-There was I'M
precedented incident in the House Of Com
mons this evening, when Sir. William Ver-
non-Harcourt, supported by MIR. Balfour.
moved an address of congratulation TO the
Queen upon the birth of heir to the
Duke Of York. The motion was about to be
put. when James Keir Harde. probably
the most prominent of the labor members
of Parliament, arose and said: II owe
allegiance to no hereditary ruler. (Cries OF
oh! oh!) The motion proposes TO raise
the Importance of an event of everyday
occurrence. L am delighted TO learn that
the child Is fairly healthy. cob! ohi) /
shall be pleased to join in the ordinary con-
CALCULATIONS II / meet the child's parents,
but when the House Of Commons, repre-
senting the nation, is asked TO join in con-
CALCULATIONS, then in the interest of the dig
nifty OF the House, 1 protest. There is one
aspect of the question which concerns the
House of Commons. A Cabinet Minister
was required by law to be present upon this
interesting occasion. I submit that such a
proceeding is not calculated to enhance the
dignity OF this House in the eyes of the
nation. (Cries OF Order, 'RotD
"You may say rot" continued Hardie,
shut If you mixed with those you repre-
sent you would find that the people view
this matter in different manner 1t seems
to me that some protest ought to be made
In this connection. 1t Is a matter of small
concern to me whether the future ruler of
this country is genuine article or spuri-
Gus one. The motion was made because
the child was born in the royal family
and the House has right to ask what
particular blessing the royal family has
conferred upon the nation. That it partook
In these proceedings are ted that
the Queen has ruled for half century. /
beg TO correct this by saying that her Ma
jesty has reigned, not ruled. There is the
Prince of Wales. What special blessing
has he conferred upon the nation that we
should rejoice with him?"
Colonel Sanderson, the Orange leader, here
moved that Hardie be no longer heard.
Sir William Harcourt said he hoped Col.
Sanderson would not press his motion.
Hardie was allowed to continue. He said:
Il know nothing in the career Of his Royal
Highness which comments itself especially
to me. We are told that fierce light
beats upon the throne, but sometimes we
catch glimpses Of his Royal Highness on
the race course (Ohs. and cries of Cues
as the Duke of Cornwall ne draws sixty
thousand pounds yearly from property in
The Speaker said Mr.. Hardie must con-
fine himself to the resolution. Mr.. Hardie
resumed, saying: THE House is asked to
rejoice because child is born. But up TO
the present there are no means of knowing
his qualifications to reign over this great
empire. 1t is strange that people who have
SO much to say about the hereditary ele-
ment in another place should be willing
now to indorse it in this particular in
stance. The principle is the same in both
cases. This child will be surrounded by
sycophants and flatterers, and will be
taught to believe himself superior to crea-
ton. In course of time he will tour the
world with rumors of morganatic marriages
in his train. (Cries of dissent) AS the
House has not found time to vote condol-
ence with the widows and orphans and
others who are suffering from the terrible
colliery calamity in Wales, protest against
the present mummery."
The motion was then put Hardie alone
protested, and it adopted amid pro-
longed cheering. The budget discussion was
then reSrlmod