The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-15

! parliamentary practice in the United
\ States viii notice at once the slovsnly
and Indifferent manner in which the de-
| bates are carried on in the house Of
l commons It 3 said that Englishmen
| like 10 make speeches. but never like Il
| hear them, and whenever anybody whc
| is not distinguished began 20 address
l the house noticed that more than half
| the members arose noisily from their
| seats and passed out into the lobby
| talking in loud tones OF voice without
showing the slightest respect for their
colleague who had the floor. The speak
l er appeared TO be used 70 such rudeness.
The same thing occurs IN the house of
representatives under similar circum-
stances. but our congressman area lii
tie more polite. They slip back 10 the
| cioakrooms quietly one by one behind
the back OF the orator whose speech they
do not care 20 hear. They do not insdl,
him by passing out in procession TN
der his very nose.
No member of the house, so far as !
could see, made any attempt al oratory.
and the only men who spoke with any
force were young Mr.. Curzon, the son.
in-law of Mr.. L. z. Letter or Chicago.
and two or three Sco,chmen. who DID not
appear TO De understood by their col
leagues.
Mr.. Crrzom answered several questions
that were put 10 him from the opposite
benches. This is regular feature OF
the parliamentary program. The lead
ers Of the opposition and their followers
also en5eavor to entrap the representa-
tiyes OF the government by propounding
conundrums concerning public affairs,
which the latter are allowed twenty
four hours 10 answer. These questions
cover the whole scope of government
and il requires great skill on the part
OF the cabinet TO make satisfactory re-
ply without divulging what they do not
wish 10 have known. They usually
speak from manuscripts prepared by
their su5or6ipates, but Mr.. Curzon, who
was required TO explain several points
involving public interest and anxiety
concerning the relations of England
with foreign powers, spoke extemporane-
ously and with great earnestness. He
hiss a very fine classic face thai shows
force tempered with refinement. He
was the youngest on the government
bench and is not entirely faultless as
speaker. he awakened and held the m
terest Of the house more than any other
not excepting even Mr.. Balfour and Sir
William HarcOUrt. The hall filed rap
idly while ne was talking and no one
passed OFT Of the door as long as his
voice was aud 'ble. He was frequently
interrupted by questions and some OF
them wSre more pertinent than polite,
but with perfect case of manner, a de-
ferertial good nature and evident frank
ness and sincerity Mr.. Curzon continued
to speak until everybody was apparently
satisfied with his explanation. II was
evident that he has the respect and con,
hdence of mis- colleagues. He is young
man with a future. His friends are pre-
dieting all kinds Of honors for him and
even prophesy that Mary Letter will
some time De the wife Of a prime minis
ter OF England.
standing these prohibitions, the legislat-
ureS Of both countries openly violate
their own statutes in order that they
may crafty their appetites without in I,
Not long ago Sir Wilfred Lawson. a
radical member. who ispresident of the !
Alliance for the Suppress F,
sion Of Liquor Traffic, arose in the |
house of commons and asked Sir Richard !
Webster, the attorney general, why he /
lid not prosecute the speaker, the ser |
,eant-at-arms and other officials for vi I
plating their own laws and selling liquor /
without license. There was an anus
ng debate. which caused considerable !
to the Encouragement. /
he speaker and others, who are respon-
;ible for the enforcement of the law. but
he crusade ended in a farce. After the I
ittorney-general had recovered from his 4
ssment he attempted 10 treat the /
natter hunlorously and referred the in
luirers to the policemen in charge. L.
vas also suggested that the only respon-
ble person was Queen Victoria, because
lhe wears the crown and the crown owns
he house OF parliament, and under the
British laws landlords are responsible
or every thing that occurs in their prem
ses