The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1894-07-21

cipal function was to pay members for the
votes they gave in support of the govern
ment. That abuse has been reformed, but
he is still the recognized dispenser of such
political patronage as civil service laws and
rules have left to be disposed OF. People who
want titles for themselves or their friends
and men who have parliamentary aspira-
tons find it TO their advantage to stand
well with the patronage secretary. for he is
charged with the duty of looking after
those things, and his word in such cases
goes great way with the ministry. Then,
too, he has practical control of the party
purse, and poor men who require assistance
of financial kind to get or retain their
seats in the commons are often dependent
on his recognition Of their claims.
But these things are among the pleasant
est and least onerous part of the whips du-
ties, and to an unprecedented mind would
appear to be more than offset by the drudg-
cry he is compelled to undergo during the
sessions Of the house. He is almost literal
y the first man in the house and the last
TO leave 1t. He must be present when the
daily sessions open, and he must remain I'M
I'll the very last vote has been taken, fori is
one OF his duties to move the ad iournment.
The house meets daily at o'clock and sell
dom adJourns before 1890 or o'clock in
the morning-often even later-and during
all those hours the senior ministerial whip
does not dare TO leave the building. He
must see TO 1t that enough members are
within call at all hours of the evening to give
the government the necessary majority ON
every vote, and on every division of the
mouse. when the members swarm ont
through the lobbies and back into the house
again TO be recorded for OF against the
measure under consideration, he must act
as one of the tellers of his party.
Besides all this, he must keep the minis
terial supporters il lrmed of the status of
affairs In the house, summon them to be
present when important divisions are liable
10 occur, prevent their leaving when be has
once corralled them, arrange pairs for those
unaVolda0ly absent. tell them how to vote
when they rush up from the smoking
rooms, library or restaurants at the sound
Oh tne DIVISION bells without the least no.
.ioh oil what has been going on in the house
IN .heir absence, listen to their suggestions
ana complaints, mollify their wrath. mr.
range their differences and be suave and
courteous through it all for fear lest the
party suffer. VIZ
lt seems almost incredible to Americans
that men whose social position and wealth
assure them OF the enjoyments of n life of
easy leisure should willingly undertake the
virtual slavery entailed by the accentance
OF a position as whip. But it is n fact irst
.ne same and Englishmen are fond of as.
surins US that 1t is good illustration of
1neir exalted ideas Of civic duty and virtue
IL Is Just possible, however. that the hsr-
Aerliig after prospective fieshpots NAV have
quite as much to do with it, for a success.
lui government whip is generally rewarded
with title or ministerial portfolio
Loru o'aiorldge, for example. owes his
peerage 70 the tact that for the five vears ~
MI 1iadstone's third ministry be faithfrI-
ly attended to the duties of cbi.f ,,t,';-
teriai whip, despite the fact that Ia. -
man OF considerable wealth and brother 80
the Duke Of Westminster. Mr. Fdr-as,i
Marlorioanks, who held the oflice ~ 49,,
ronage secretary during Mr.. Gladstona,s
iately ended term, and who wonld -
continued to hold il under Lord RosaI,l,'.
but Tor the sudden death of his f,,ha.s
Baron Tweedmouth, which gave hin, n - s'n,
IN the house Of lords. has alreadv hss ~ s's
valuable party services requited with n go,
IN the cabinet as lord privy seal. and -, Z,
goes. '' anu 50 II
Mr. thomas Edward Ellis. who succasds
baron l"eedmouth as patronage secrerarr
Is a man OF mold very different From, ~,
preoecessors. He is the son Of a poor Welsh
."iuier ana represents in the house the a.,
eriet Oh Merionethshire, North Walss :
loneonlorinlst constituency with WHOM, ha
i very popular. lie is hardly less nonnias
IN London and was formerly Junior lar, 80
ne treasury, position which. thougb ~.
IN itself OF particular Importance IL 10, -o'
sioered certain stepping stone IN bon -
ole sreierment. There are those rvho ,h;,'i-
mat Mr.. Ellis has in him the making ,' 81
future premier, but whether his smh,ts.'a
AIMS SO high or not, if he achieves s.''on
government whip, his future will assnrs ~
he comfortably provided for. '''''''
II. 7. WHITE.