New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-20
ursTMlNSTER ANOMALIES.
.,,So1,ERADG OF COSTUME WITHOUT
-u DEBATE-WHY PUBLIC IN
rvpEST IN PARLIAMENT HAS
DECLINED.
London. February 3.

;..e-pstiny to near IalllAHith'"'I WV
,ar,ent the dulness Of the opening deoa'es
~. most famous legislative assembly III 'he
-, .srhe stately forms are preserved 'nes
~ .ov "but the great figures WHich H''p"''' N
n,y and splendor to the proceedings nave
,.Aos The new members are sworn III
tho traditional search for gunpoWuer III
Iu,,s has been ordered the Queens speech
- with the usual cerenoniais ana mum
and debate is opened on the ADDRESS III
- house. but while there IS no lack Oh e''hei
- ny pomp and while the galleries are
~ crowded with spectators, the hign s'ahoa''
:, ,,hic life is no longer maintained Ia'""
60, ceased TO be an arena Of rea! and
.--sst conflict between great parties II h'N
50 ,t. host social club in London with
.,,,r,ious but insincere dress parade de-
Y" o,.,s in d while a spritess snam
tsht" .,o.o o,r,air,v ms
- declaring that listlessness and apathy
-. tho prevailing notes Of the opening p'o-
IS The Queens speech revealed no STATE
-, and was silent on the one question Oh
- rpblic interest-the negotiations over
:. ch,nsse loan. The first debate in the Loros
,,,ia, conversation over the address, III
- ord Kimberley fumbled his notes ana
- -oiis,prv took a facetious view OF various
w. spbiects. never making gesture nor once
80 his voice. The first debate in the COM
rons Was virtually opened by Sir Wi!liaih mar
-r-, with comprehensive survey Of the whoie
49, -, to,airn and domestic politics, and MI
n.r,,r rsnljed 10 1t with almost cynical Nst-
,ssness casually announcing mat Ehsianu
r,,,ca and Russia had agreed 10 guarantee
D,,,,v the Greek loan and hurting out 'he uii-
.o,ooroa truth that Talien-Wan had ON! oeen
,,ouasa for twenty-four hours IN the memo
,a,dpm NJ British suggestions ana 'ha' 'iie
,as,,,ations for the Chinese loan hdu Oeen
,,olen of Mr.. Lawson Walton gave ho'lce "a
=, amendment Oh the Indian frontier QueS'i0"'
and leaders on each side began 10 pe''nos anu
milf hairs over the comparative respo"S'oii'''
a, Sir Henry Fowler and Lord George ha'iiii'0"
-. - faith with the hill tribes. There
has hem nothing in these opening Sce"e' '""'
,op,d sproperly be described as hlSh uepa'e
worthy Of The best traditions Of Westminster
The nroca,dincs have lacked Vividness OF per
.o,al interest and depth Of conviction when
asba,e Is conducted with consciousness lha' d"
,o,,srs Httle what may be said on either sioe'
no sr,okinr-room at once becomes the only
,r.-,sr ~ The best club" where there are any
cgns OF animation.
na,o,ad nartisans Of Mr. Gladstone are &C
,ns,onad n explain that the House Of Commons
g., -, ho., tho same body since his voice was
heard there for the last time This is undouot-
sdy true. for he was not only the most spiehdio
ornament q the Commons. but he also set
Standard Of genuine tarnestress III puplic HE
which friends and enemies were compelled TO
uce the level Of Parliamentary conduct has
ben lowered Members on each side OF the
House take life more easily than was their habit
When they heard his deep melodious voice aho
v,,ched his grim solemn face. They crave
amusement in their club and are grateiu! 10
any speaker who offer them an unexpected
pagram or a small joke. So long as Mr. CLAD
stone was an interested spectator and active
debater the House was forced TO respect earnest
hess Of conviction. serious and thoughtful dis
ussion ana singleness Of purpose.
MORE THAN ONE CAUSE FOR DECADENCE
There has been a marked change in the tone
o. the House as all observers admit, since the
disappearance Of the Grand Old Man with MS
uniuue personality: but there has been more
Aan one cause for decadehce in debating power
md decline in public interest The security OF a
Government which is supported by majority
Of over a hundred and forty in the Commons
and opposed in the Upper House by only score
Of Peers tends to paralyze debate. The help
kssness Of the Opposition. when it is not only
weak in numbers but also divided in opinion
md faction-rent in leaders and policies, serves
70 impair public interest in Parliamentary dls-
asslon Mr.. Ruskin is in retirement among
M .isiST
and influential. and municipal Socialism is the
'rder II the day in provincial cities. Dr' Mar
cneau. at great age. has outliVed MS Periou