The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-15
How the British Legislat ure Gets Through
Its Work,

London, Aug. 14-There is a striking
| difference between the house of com.
mons and our own house of representa-.
tives, both in their methods of legisla.
! ton and the conduct of their members
but gradual and continual changes are
undermining the British house of par
/ Lament, bringing IL nearer 10 the idea
OF popular legislature and depriving il
| of many of the quaint features that were
! inherited from early times. Formerly ey
cry member Of parliament was expected
to appear in the house in frock coat
and a tall hat during the afternoon ses-
sion and in evening dress after dinner
The house meets at 3 O'Clock and is sup
posed to continue its sessions until af-
ter midnight. but ii is customary 10 take
an adjournment for dinner about
Z O'Clock and re-assemble about nine.
You always see members in evening
suits after dinner because il is their
habit to dress for dinner, but the num-
her grows smaller and smaller every
year. Many Of the men who dine al
home do not return to the house after
ward unless something interesting is 60
ing on. Therefore, sensational discus
sions have come to be known as full
dress debates"
The labor members are largely respon-
sibie for the innovations in dress and
the abrogation Of many of the old form
alities. While very few of the gentle
men members Of the house would be vii
hing 10 admit that they are following
fashions set by socialists and labor re-
formers. Il is nevertheless true. not on
~ as regards parliamentary dress. but
parliamentary practice. Their outspo-
ken contempt for formalities. their inclin
alton to continue their rough style Of
dress and their hatred OF class distinc-
tons, which n England are defined by
dress and department a great deal more
than in the United States, have caused
them 70 attack many useless and absurd
customs, which. there being no one 10
defend them, have been gradually adam
doned
John Burns. the socalist-labor leader,
always appears in a sack coar and
slouch hat. K;er Hardie expressed his
cony;enpt for dudes and gentlemen"
when he was member by wearing the
same costume that ne wore IN the mills
Ia flannel shirt. a cotton tie, a sack
coag and a costermonger's cap-vhle
other men OF their persuasion and some
OF The Irish contingent have adopted va
rious eccentric costumes L could not
learn that any one has ever appeared
in the house OF commons with white
ducks Or a bicycle suit. but the fas,idi-
Gus Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain Is said TO
have been the first 10 introduce tan
shoes
TIE members O. the house always wear
their hats during the session. except
when they rise 70 speak. while the pray
er Is offered. while the queens speech
- being read, and while conGoIence res
buttons are under discussion. The lack
o. seating accommodations Is 50 great
that regular Attendants use their haas 70
reserve their seats. Seats are not as
signed as in our senate and house OF
representatives. The only fixed seats are
ne benches occupied BY she members o.
the ministry and the leaders Q. the oppo-
si,ioa- No ordinary member would think
% occupying one % them any more than
he would take ne speakers chair. but
the veterans have acquired sQuatsers