The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-09-22

From the New York World
A Bad Day for Their Pot Hats

sent himself on the following day for the
royal appreciation"
On the withdrawal of the comm ons the
lord chancellor subscribes the oath alone
at the table. The clerk of the crown o
livers a certificate as to the return of tue
sixteen Scottish representative peers, and
the garter knight-at-arms does the same
with the roll of the lords temporal. Sub
sequently the peers present their writs
at the table and subscribe the oath, it be-
ing customary for royal prince to do
this alone, like the occupant OF the
woolsack.
Peers who have recently succeeded to
their titles and new peers exhibit their
writs or patents to this lord chancellor.
kneeling on one knee. They are intro
duced in their robes. between two other
peers of their own dignity. preceded by
the usher of the Black Rod. garter king
alarms. the earl marshal and the lord
great chamberlain. though it is not
essential that the last two Off GERS should
be present. Thus introduced, peers are
conducted to seats according to their Dig
nifty. A new Irish representative peer is
not introduced, but simply subscribss the
oath. the clerk of the crown in Ireland
attending with the writ and return.
The only business the house of COM
mons transacts after their meeting with
the lords is the election of a speaker. and
Mr.. Gully, the previous occupant of the
chair. was again chosen for the office.
The next day. the speakers election bav-
ing been approved by the house OF lords,
he takes the oath and signs the roll.
Then ensues that free-for-all fight known
as the "swearing OF the commons"-and
the swearing is done in both senses of
the word-whioh is in marked contrast
with the dignified way In which the lords
swore fealty the day before.
In clden times the members used to
come up singly and week was wasted
fAv, l. x,sa ~
expediting this business an arrangement
was introduced few years ago whereby
the oath takers wsre accommodated in
"block of five"but the trouble about this
arrangement Is that everyone wants to be
first. and there is no rule about the COM
position of the patches. The result was,
the other day. that the utmost disorder,
to put it mildly, ensued. 1t was not I'M
pressive to see gentlemen who make the
laws of a vast empire scrambling for Tesi
aments, and in some cases almost snatch
ing them from other mem bers before thu
osculatory seal had been imprinted.
From noon until 2 clock the pressure
of would-be swearers was terrible, and at
one point the speaker had to interfere
with an appeal to the honorable gentle-
men to curb their impetuosity and exer-
else patience and com placency. Mr.. Viii
lers, the venerable father OF the
house." took the oath by himself.
Hat dealers would be pleased il new
parliaments were sworn in several times
weekly. All the members wear new silk
hats, ana among these articles of dress
and ornament the slaughter was terrific.
In such scriMmAge as ensues when the
| commons is sworn pJliteness is thrown
to the winds, and the strongest get to
the front first. Emerging from the fray
members would gaze sorrowfully at their
| damaged ,hsadgear, and some of them
hid themselves behind the shadow of the
speakers chair and there labored earn
estly to restore to pristine brightness
their crushed and battered tiles.