Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-11-03
PLEASANT PRISONS.
THE SPECIAL ONES IN THE EflGuSH
PARLIAMENT.
They Are Intended Particularly For
Members and other Persons Who
Violate ParIIament's Own Dignity.
Rules and Customs.


Few persons are aware that Eng
lands parliament has its own special
prisons within it's own precincts which
/ are intended particularly for its own
y 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 a little higher up in the
! tower than the other. Each set con-
/ sists of a sitting room and two bed
rooms, the former being a nice, COM
! Portable room about three by FIVE
yards, with 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 su-
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 sergeant's
house and through 1t. the risk of such
thing ever happening is practically
prOhibitive.
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 a 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 if
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 4
first class restaurant. where the hungry
NJ. L. may dine as we'll as he could any |
where in London. Each day the dishes |
which the kitchen has prepared are
indicated on a menu which is brought |
up to the prisoner. and he ticks off any
thing for which he feels n fancy. and |
1t is brought to him. The only draw |
back from his point of view is that the |
bill is presented to him just as it would |
be anywhere else, and In the event of |
his refusing to pay up he would eventu- |
ally be served with 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
process known as affirmation. Mr..
Bradlaugh, however, secured New
and took a 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, a state
ment was made that the Tower bridge
bill committee was subject to bribery
and corruption-a serious charge. Two
men responsible for it were pronounced
to have committed a breach of privi-
lege, for the house Is very sensitive
upon such matters, and the speaker is |
sued 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 a little delay, was
captured and was for a brief period
housed at Newgate.
The first NJ p. imprisoned in the
present house of commons was W.
Smith O'Brien. One day In 1916 he
committed contempt of the house by
declining to sit upon a certain commit
tee. Consequently he was sent to pris-
On during the few weeks that the COM
mIttee deliberated. This time. how
ever. be was not sent to the Clock
Tower prison. which was not finished,
but did his durauce In the cellar of the
house.
4 Scotch Custom.