Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-03-07
PLEASANT PRISONS.
THE SPECIAL ONES ~ THE eNGLIsh
PARLIAMENT.

Members and other Persons Who
Violate nart.amenssR Own. Dignity,
Rules and Csstoms.
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, hut 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 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 SCI con-
slsts Of n sitting room and Two bed
rooms, the former being 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 il
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 timas 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 sergeants
house and through 1t. the risk Of such
thing ever happening is practically
prohibitive.
While he is there the prisoner really
has n 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 q
half's exercise each morning and an
hour ia 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. II he were left
| entirely uuguarded. the prisoner might
dive into the river and swim away. or.
what would be simpler. hail a passing
boat. SO. just for precautions sake. n
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 couple of innocent looking
attendants.
Moreover there is no question OF so
many ounces of bread and meat. but IL
he has the money to pay for 1t he may
feed himself upon the choicest viands
that the most cultured palate could
suggest. The house Of commons has Il
first class restaurant where the hungry
NJ. T. may dine as well as he could any
where in London Each day the dishe,
which the kitchen has prepared are
indicated on Il menu which is brought
| up To the prisoner. and he ticks off any
thing for which he feels n 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 il would
be anywhere else, and in the event of
his refusing to pay mp he would eventu-
ally he served with II court summons.
Among the occupants OF the Clock
Tower have been the late Charles
Bradaugh, who found himself con
signed thithcr on account Of n little
difference with Mr.. Speaker on TIE
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
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 spea ker
requested him to do so. ard conse-
queutly the sergeant-at-arms tool,
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
bin committee was subject 10 bribery
and corruption--a serious charge. Two
! men responsible for II were pronounced
sc have committed breach of priyi'
! legc, for the mouse is very sensitive
upon such matters, and the speaker is
sued summons for their appearance.
One Of them. Mr. Ward, gave hinsel!
up without delay, and be got sever
days I'm the Clock Tower prison The
other offender, after lit'ic delay, wa,
captured aud was for a brief perioG
| housed ut Newcate.
The FIRST NJ t. imprisoned IN the
present house Of commons w"s w
Smith O'Bricn One day In !sl6 he