The hatchet. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1883-19??, 1900-08-26
PLEASANT PRISONS.
THE SPECIAL ONES IN THE ENGLISH
PARLIAMENT.
They Are Intended Particularly For
Members and other Persons Who
Violate ParIiaments own Dignity.
Rules and Customs


Violate ParIiament's own Dignity,
Rules and Customs.
Few persons are aware that Eng
lands parliament has its own special
prisons within Its own precincts which
are intended particularly for its own
members and persons who violate its
own dignity, rules and customs. OF
course these prisons seldom are used
now, but they have been In the past.
and not so very long ago, and may be
again The house Of commons has
one set and the house Of lords another.
The commons prison Is a little way
up In the Clock Tower. Here are two
sets Of prisons, intended only for the
accommodation of one prisoner each.
one set being little higher up in the
tower than the other. Each set con-
slsts of a sitting room and two bed
rooms, the former being a nice, COM
Portable room about three by five
yards, with a neat carpet and chairs
good enough for anybody. The extra
bedroom is not intended for the pris-
oner or for any friends whom he might
desire to put up for the night, but is
the sleeping apartment Of the official
who looks after him during his incar-
ceration. This man is usually the SUI
pervisor Of badge messengers, and, be-
sides looking after his man, he is also
his servant for the time being. and
waits upon him just like any other.
He never need worry himself much
upon the question Of the possibilities Of
the prisoners escape, for the sergeant
alarms Is responsible, and inasmuch
as the only way Of getting to and from
the prison Is by way of this sergcants
house and through 1t, the risk Of such
thing ever happening is practically
prohlbitiye.
While he is there the prisoner really
has good time. No restrictions as to
hOurs are placed upon him. and he may
rouse himself from his slumbers just
when he feels most inclined and return
to them In the same way. Practically
the only thing he cannot do Is to walk
about outside just as he pleases, but he
is permitted to take an hour and a
half's exercise each morning and an
hour In the afternoon on the terrace
of the house, and the terrace, broad
and long and with its splendid outlook
upon the river. is by no means bad
place to take exercise. If he were left
entirely unguarded. the prisoner might
dive into the river and swim away, or,
what would be simpler, hail passing
boat. So, just for precautions sake, a
couple Of officers accompany him
while he takes these breaths of fresh
air.
He goes on Sunday to the church In
Vincent square, and on these occasions
also he has a couple of innocent looking
attendants.
Moreover. there is no question of so
many ounces of bread and meat, but II
he has the money to pay for it he may
feed himself upon the choicest viands
that the most cultured palate could
suggest. The house of commons has
first class restaurant, where the hungry
M. p. may dine as well as he could any
where in London. Each day the dishes
which the kitchen has prepared are
indicated on menu which Is brought
up to the prisoner, and he ticks off any
thing for which he feels a fancy. and
IL is brought to him. The only draw
back from his point of view is that the
bill is presented to him just as 1t would
be anywhere else, and In the event Of
his refusing to pay up he would eventu-
ally be served with a court summons
Among the occupants Of the Clock
Tower have been the late Charles
Bradlaugh. who found himself con-
signed thither on account of a little
difference with Mr.. Speaker on the
subject of the parliamentary oath.
When Northampton returned Mr.. Brad
laugh to parliament. he was not allow
ed to take the oath nor the substituted
Bradlaugh. however. secured 4 New
Testament and took self administer
ed oath. after which he proceeded to
the next step Of signing the roll. He
refused to withdraw when the speaker
requested him to do so, and conse-
quently the sergeant-at-arms took
charge Of him. and to the Clock Tower
prison he went.
When the erection of the Tower
bridge was being considered, state
ment was made that the Tower bridge
bill committee was subject to bribery
and corruption--a serious charge. Two
men responsible for 1t were pronounced
to have committed a breach Of privi-
lege. for the house Is very sensitive
upon such matters, and the speaker Is
sued a summons for their appearance.
One of them. Mr. Ward, gave himself
up without delay, and he got seven
days In the Clock Tower prison. The
other offender. after little delay, was
captured and was for a brief period
housed at Newgate.
The first M. p. imprisoned In the
present house Of commons was w.
Smith O'Brien. One day In 1886 he
committed contempt ~ the house by