The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-11-21

W. w 'it I'iltISn parliament from the
Rhondda Valley of Wales. arrived in
this city yesterday afternoon at $40
o'clock. over the Lacknwanna railroad,
and was met by the Hon. II. NJ. Ed
wards, president judge of the Lacka-
wanna county courts, whose guest he Is
while in the city
He was accompanied by his son. and
| together they We're escorted to Judge
Edwards home on South Main avenue,
where they were introduced to u Num-
Lcf of callers. In conversation with II
| Tribune man, Mr.. AbrahamS expressed
himself as being exceptionally well
pleased with the receptions that have
been accorded him wherever he has
visited inv the states since his arrival
| America is Il continuity of SURPRISES
| he said, "and l. am amazed at its won-
| dcriul growth and development" In
speaking of the death of President Nc
! ltinlcy. ne said that the people of Eng
! land felt keenly his loss and that their
| sympathy was sincere. He is at Il loss
10 understand. he said, how any one
| could br so ungrateful as to take un-
due advantage of their unlimited pos
sibilitieS in America, where the nations
~ ;he world are welcomed so hospit-
ably.
SPOKE LAST NIGHT.
Tie distinguished visitor gave Il
splendid address at Mears hall last
night Il. an audience that taxed the
seating capacity. many remaining
standing throughout the lecture. His
snh:act was "A Night in the House of
Commons" which he handled in an
able manner, sometimes using the
welsh language to more explicitly en-
press his meaning of certain things
whic'. he described.
tie Showed his familiarity with the
mines ana the perils encountered by
the men who toll in them, and gave n
description of what they undergo In
their daily work. At the close of his
address he recit"d Il thrilling poem in
Welsh which showed his intense dram
attic ability.
In Introducing him To the audience
Judge Edwards said: Il need not say
hoN pleased am to have the honor Of
presenting to YOU gentleman who is
we'll known to the Welsh people. TO
quite a number of you personally. and
others by reputation. and ] am sure
all Of you are anxious to hear from
him.
Il have given him perfect liberty TO
say what he uleaScs and in any lam
guase he pleases. Should he sing or
speak in Welsh we would not object,
as the Welsh American is a generous
people, but | know that what he says
or does is right.
''I need not say anything about his
position as that is probably well
known to all of you. it is Il matter of
history l therefore take pleasure and
honor in introducing the Hon. Will
liam Abrahams. NJ. F., better known
as "Mabon." The speaker of the even
ing was greeted with generous ap-
plause. He spoke in part. as follows:
WHAT "NlABoN" SAID.
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies aud Ccntlcmnn:-l don't
know exactly how 10 address you bu, will yen.
tlrc to address you fellow CorntIymlu ul
friends. The judge has allowed me unlimited
scope, but YOU are ali we'll aware oi his libcatiy
don't know exactly who is rc,pou>ihlr Tor Ills |
subject or lcclmc, or talk, ~ whatever You will
call il, "a Night in thc House al Commons
hut ] take ii that il rcc,s to that assembly !
which | am privileged to be member d a, a
representative al my people.
The tw" letters, NJ p. are understood to lcp-
resent member .; pmli,m1nt,' hr, it j. not
also so III IN! clsc. III Chicago the letters w"rc
interpreted to mean that WIS a ''morSt
patriot" aud in cl"'uh I have been called Il
Methodist Preacher" hui 10 mo, friends. ii T.,
has been the ,erNirc Of my lie 10 hc devoted to
the Miners President.
Mr.. Abrahams then cave Il deScrip-
ton OF the houses of parliament, which
he said We're the largest Gothic build /
ingS in the world, covering eight acres |
Of ground. costing k3,000000, ana con-
tain inside 500 rooms, each connected
with an electric bell. With AL these
bells set ringing at one time, they mean
something. and 10 those acquainted |
with their language they mean a great |
deal
The towers of the BUILDINGS are 500 |
feet high, and they point upward with |
much Significance. The members OF the |
houses OF parliament are in session six |
months OF the year, in summer. fool |
ishly instead of winter, as in America. !
The significance of the towers to him |
We're notable for the fact that IL Wus |
possible for Il man. like himself, who |
had worked in a stan in the mines 300 |
yards below the SURFACE. To rise 10 II
seat IN parliament SO high, showing /
conclIsively that the road had been |
improved from the lowest point To the |
highest.
TEN LABOR MEMBERS.
Thrre are tel. labor members in the |
house OF commons, six of whom We're
collierS, each and all of whom had |
worked in the mines. lie himself had |
been sixteen years in parliament. and |
another member tWenty-four years. In !
this country, he said, he was glad to
find no change of customs that tie men
down 10 limited spheres Of usefulness.
There is more room for the eagles
above than the sparrows below.
Here he gave a number of humorous
incidents in connection with his cyperi-
enCcs, and said he WAS proud To Scc 80
many Wclshmcn occupying high posi-
tionS in America, ana when he goes
back home, II any one questions him
OF that score, he will tell them, parcn-
,hetcally, that they are occupying more
than their share.
The house of commons mas lJO lnrm- !
Ders, and When one enters they must
be prepared l3r disappointments. 4
notable th!nH is the custom of leaving
hats on desks as the guardian of seat,
while the owner may be working about
The streets With head uncovered, and
TINS custom prevails until the hour OF
prayer.
People he said. sometimes arrive
there as early as O'Clock in the morn
nG 10 obtain seats allotted TO them ut
the opening at o'clock in the after
noon The custom years ago was to
lllot seats to notable men. but this does
not prevail now. When prayers are