The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-21
PARLIAMENT OF CANADA.
COMPROMISE BETWEEN AMERICAN
AND ENGLISH LEGISLATURES.
Unites Some of the Distinguishing
characteristics of Each With In
novations of Its own and Is

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer.
OTTAWA, Ont, April D.-The parlia-
unent in Canada may be likened to COM
promise between the British parliament
and the United States congress, and while
a good deal OF the democratic feeling OF
the latter characteriZes the Canadian IN
st.tution, there IL an abundance OF the old
country conservatism and deferente TO dis
tinguish 1t from what one sees at WASH
ington. The speaker cf the Canadian
house OF commons is ap1areled in black
silk robe, black clothes and white tie. and
his hands are covered by white kid gloves.
When entering the chamber or leaving the
chair he covers his head with a quaint
cooked hat, and is always preceded By the
sergeant at-arms carrying the heavy
mace.
At the opening and closing OF parlia-
mentary session, and after The governor
general has been received in the upper
chamber with studied formality and much
military ponlp and display. and has taken
his seat upon the vice regal throne, the
Off ial messenger called the black rod,
who is attred in richly goid-laced black
uniform, Is dispatched to the lower house
to summon the faithful commoners to at
tend before his excellency. But the main
entrance OF the commons chamber, which
has been barred against the admission of
the black rod, Is found closed, and three
distinct and solemnly delivered raps with
a xavei upon the door are then given.
which causes IL to be promptly thrown
wide OPEN and the messenger enters. tie
executes three most profound bows as ne
approaches the table. facing the speaker,
wherein lies the mace, the symbol OF
regal authority, and delivers his message
in English and French. Three more elln-
crate obeisanees, moving backwards,
brings the black rod again near the en-
transe of the chamber through which he
vanishes mysteriously as he came. The
mace is shouldered. the speaker dons his
cooked hat. and, followed by his clerks,
with the members trooping after the com
mons proceeds to the throne room. The
entrance OF the black rod into the house
Of commons stspends all business therein
Immediately.
In England there is one very ceremoni-
Gus function which is omitted at the OF
tawa parliament. THIS is the search
through the vaults and corridors OF both
houses for any evil-Gsposed persons.
would-be assassins dynamlters or other
unhappily constituted individuals with de-
signs upon the persons OF her matesty's
advisers and representatives. Canada has
never had Guy Fawkes although an oc-
castonal parliament house has been burned
down more or less maliciously. There are
many points OF difference between the
Canadian parliament and the United
States congress, which reveal themselves.
in a manner by the formalities with
which each body transatts It's business
Here again Canadians have struck a sort
OF a medium between the customs of the
mother country and those of the United
been retained which find no place in con-
gress, while. on the other hand. the atmos-
phere OF congressional freedom from use
less forms Is to he found at ottawa At
Westminster admittance to the galleries
OF the house is obtained only with much
difficulty. at Washington It is free. while
I'm ottawa, although admission tickets are
necessary, they are quite easily obtained.
There is more outward Difference ana re-
spect for the official person OF the speaker
AT Ottawa than at Washington. but much
less than at Westminster. At ottawa the
members are privileged 20 keep on their
hats when not standing or addressing the
house, and by retiring to the back part
OF the chamber may indulge in the luxury
of a quiet smoke. The presence OF pages
on the floor OF the house is one respect
in which the Canadian commons goes com
pletely over TO the American system. A
corps of uniformed messenger boys are
in constant attendance while the house is
In session. and when not employed they
ornament the front Of the speakers dais.
where they sit perched in a more or less
picturesque attitude. Applause ls not per-
mitted in the galleries OF the house OF
commons at ottawa. which is a dstin-
gushing point between II and congress
and any unusual demonstration or loud
conversation on the part Of the public Is
liable to bring an order from the speaker
to clear the galleries.
There Is one point In which the Cana
dian commons has broken away from both
English and American precedent and in
aagurated "A new line Of It's own. This Is
members for the procure ment OF liquid re-
freshments. The house two years ago by
n very close majority. voted to abolish
the bar In the restaurant. ard now when
ever honorable gentlemen Of the COM
mons desire anything stronger than Ottn-
wa river water. ~ they frequently do
thcy have to travel nifty yards or more
through underground passages 10 the sem
ate bar This resort IS exclusive and
there was some danger for a time that the
senate would refuse TO allow the thirsty
members o. the lower house access to its
precincts. but the pathetic appeals Of some
~ the most eloquent ~ the comm0uers
moved the senators 70 pity. ana tho threat
Cned embargo was not placed upon them
There IL not 50 muf lobbying At Otti-
wa A. there IL ut Washington even bro
poriionAtely TO population tsut there Is
always some. and occasionally a good deal
The bog railway corporations keen their
representatives In pretty constant attend
ancr during each seseton and there arc
many important Interests throughout the
country which sl~o hnd II necessary 10
keep close watch an sps legislation AS
might aneCt them During tho prose nj
~ SAon a ts moro than l'keiy that tue ltr-
her interests both United States AMI CA
madam, Will indulge in active lohhNfnF
should the question - export duties come
up for discussion which Ia quite likely N
che debate on tho budget clo@rs snuu after
the Easter adjournment the uulD wool
nickel and other Industries will also have.
active representatives amoug The body Of
lobbyists