The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-20
STRANGERS IN THE HOUSE"
An Occasions When the Prince of
Wales Withdrew From Parliament
H.. 49, hrn.4h ...n-innr rn..io...

An Occasions When the Prince of
Wales Withdrew From Parliament
From the North American Review.
At one time. much more than of late
years, his royal highness was a constant
visitor to the House of Commons, his
pleasant presence beaming from the CEN
ter seat of the peers gallery, Immediately
over the clock. During the turbulent
times that marked the birth of sthe Par
nellite party he frequently dropped in to
watch the recurring crises. This habit
gave the late Mr.. Joseph ellis Biggar an
opportunity of distinguishing himself
above his fellows One Tuesday evening,
in the early spring of 1875, Mr. Chaplin,
then a private member, secured first place
for a motion relating to the breed Of
horses The Prince of Wales, accompa-
MED by a numerous suite OF peers whose
faces were familiar with Newmarket and
EPSON, came down to hear the speech and
the debate 1t was a great opportunity
for Mr.. Chaplin, and he was prepared to
rise to 1t. Unfortunately for him, he had
CHANGED some days earlier to offend Mr.
Biggar. joey B.--the men Der for Cavan--
like the redoubtable Joe Bsgstock, was
sly dev'lish sly. If Mr.. Chaplin saw his
opportunity, Joe not only declared it, but
seized It first.
MI CndJAll tAdu iAStils lANu his eytEldSS
smitten himself reassuringly on his portly
chest had coughed in prelude to his
opening sentence, when from below the
gangway opposite a well-known shrill
voice was heard exclaiming: Mr.
Speaker, sir, I believe there are strangers
in the House."
For a moment the crowded chamber
was hushed ia dismayed silence. The
speaker broke II by inquiring whether
the honorable member for Cavan per-
sisted in his Intention OF noticing strang-
ers IF You please Mr.. Speaker" said
Mr.. Biggar, with an encouraging nod
towards the chair. Then the anger OF the
House found Issue in a roar Of contumely.
through which was heard the unparlia-
mentarv, almoss unprecedented sound
Of Kissing. Honorable members might
lust as usetUiir have sat down by the
rivers bank aud shouted stop" TO the
falls Of Niagara. At that time there was
In force the medieval order which re-
qured the immediate and absolute with
drawal OF strangers from every part Of
the House upon an individual member
taking note Of their presence. Mr. Big
gar was master OF the situation, and
few human faces offered an opening far
exceeding the breadth OF his smile as he
surveyed h.
The speaker had no option. He must
needs order strangers TO withdraw.
Theroupon the Prince OF Wales, the Ger
man ambassador. who happened to be In
the diplomatic gallery, and the crowd Of
peers. boasting the bluest blood IN Eng
land were compelled to scuttle. Mr.. Big
gar had his fun. but the House OF Com
mons reaped permanent benefit from tho
prank. He brought mto broad daylight
tho absurdity OF the ancient custom,
which was thcnceforward doomed. Tho
privilege Of spying strangers Is no long
on counted among the possessions Of
Individual members OF the House OF Com
mons. Strangers may to-day be excluded.
but only upon motion duly made and car
ried by a majority.