The record-union., 1895-08-13

LONDON, Aug. II. - The Fourteenth
Parliament of Queen Victoria opened to.
day with the customary ceremonies.
Prior to the formal opening of the
House, there was the usual contests
among the members for the seats they
will occupy during the session.
Mr.. Hatch was the first of the mem bers
to arrive. He reached the House at
o'clock, and sat in the doorway for an
hour before 1t was opened. He was fol-
lowed at $50 o'clock by Mr.. Ashcroft.
Messrs Ashcroft and Hatch are the two
new Conservative members from Lin
cOlnshire. Before 9 o'clock thirty seats
had been reserved on the Government
bench by members placing their hats on
them, the custom that is always followed.
The opposition did not display great
eagerness to secure seats. as at $50 they
had secured but six.
The House was crowded with an ami
mated throng of members when at 2
o'clock the yeoman usher Of the black
rod requested the attendance of the
House of Commons and the House of
Lords to hear the reading of the royal
commission of proclamation opening the
Of Commons waited to hear the reading.
After their return to their own House the
Senior Clerk arose and pointed to Sir
John Mowbray, the Conservative who
represents Oxford University. who had
been selected to move the reelection of
William Court Gully as Speaker of the
House.
AT that moment Right Hon. J. A. Bal
four and Hon. Sir William Vernon Har-
~ nd
seats, Mr.. BaIfour on front Government
bench and Sir William on a front bench
on the Opposition side. AS they entered
they were greeted with cheers by their
respective followers. Inn edlately there
after the Right Honorable Joseph Cham
bsrlain, the leader OF The Liberal Union
lists. entered, and was loudly cheered by
the Government supporters, while groans
ascended from the mem bers occupying
the Irish benches.
The scene was brilliant one. The sun
strealned through the windows of the
House, changing its usual duh aspect into
one OF light and warmth. The diplo-
mats, ladies' and strangers galleries
were crowded with distinguished visit
ors, who watched the proceedings with
close attention.
Sir John Mowbray, in moving the re-
election Of Speaker Gully, said he re-
JOiCSu tHdt MI. Oulty WOulu 10 Te-6l6CLeu
without dissenting voice. Sir John ex-
tolled MIR. Gully's impartiality, vigilance
and promptltude, and his courtesy TO
every mem Der of the House. He asked
the House TO elect Mr.. Gully, who was an
able and conscientious man, irrespective
of party considerations.
John r. Ellis, Liberal Unionist, sec
onded the motion, and Mr.. Gully was
then formally reelected without opposl-
ton.
Mr.. Gully thanked the House for the
tally in being proposed by both the Gov
ernment parties and the opposition.
Continuing, he said that 10 be impartial
was the least difficult, though the most
important duty of the Speaker. He
looked in his general conduct in the chair
to that spirit of justice and good sense
which always disting uished the House in
its relations to the chair.
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Gully's re-
marks, Mr.. Baltour, in the name OF the
House, congratulated him upon his re-
election.
The commission appointed to read the
Royal Proclamation consisted of Lord
Salisbury, the Lord Chancellor, and
Lords Coventry, Limerick. Cross and
Balfour of Burleigh. They were all at
tired in scarlet and ernine robes, and
were seated ia front of the throne, when
the yoeman usher Of the Black Rod was
led into the House of Commons to the
bar, where the proclamation was read.
Lord Chancellor Salisb bury said that
when the Legislators were sworn in her
majesty would declare why Parliament
had been summoned.
The Lord Chancellor appointed noon
tomorrow as the time for the Speak er of
the House OF Commons to put himself
before the bar of the House of Lords to
receive the royal approval of his re-elec-
ton.
At $3.50 o'clock the House adjourned.
The House of Lords adjourned after
several Of its members had inscribed
their names on the rolls of the new Par
lament.
Among those noticed in the galleries
of the Commons were Hon. Charles
Crisp, eXSpeaker of the American
House of Representatives; Hon. L. +.
Bayard, American Embassador to Great
Britain, and Hon. Edward f. Uhl,
American Assistant Secretary OF State.
CRIsP'S VIEWS OF THE COMMONS.
LONDON. Aug. 12.-Hon. Charles Crisp,
x-Speaker of the American House Of
REPRESENTATIVES, Hon. Edward Uhl.
and Senator Henry Cabot Lodge were
guests this evening at an entertai nment
given by Speaker Gully at his residence
in Westminster Place. They received
marke attention from Mr.. Balfour and
Mr. Cham berlain and other prominent
men who were present.
Mr.. Crisp informed your correspondent
that he had been struck by the numerous
in the procedure of the House
of Commons, which to him appeared to
be useless. He said he noticed especially
that no actual vote WAS taken Oh the
election OF Speaker. He understood. of
course, that the election was virtually by
consent, but In the United
States the question is always stated to the
House, in order that an opportunity
might be given dissenters to express
their views. 1t seemed remarkable that
80 great a majority as the Government
had should choose member of the mi
nority for their presiding officer. Such a
course would never do under the Ameri-
can Constitution. where the Speaker
must be parti sa'i, as he ia clothed with
greater power in the appointment of
committees, etc.
Continuing, Mr.. Crisp said that having
the Speakers residence in the Parliament
House was useful here, but how repug-
nart TO the American system. There
were not one-third enough seats in the
Ii ouse of Commons for its mem bers. The
seats were well arranged. however. Mr..
Crisp said that there was a good press
gallery here, but he did not favor the
ladies being placed in a cage behind the
Speakers desk.
Messrs. Lodge and Uhl agreed with the
of Mr.. Crisp. They were sur
prised by the short speeches made by the
speakers to-day, as they apparently had
copious notes. They found the House of
Lords nearly deserted. though they said
they understood there would be fuller
attendance on Thursday to receive the
address from the throne.
Mr.. Crisp will 60 to Paris Tomorrow.