Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-02-14
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
The Opening of Parliament.

O'Clock this afternoon. The ceremony
was conducted with all the pomp and
dignity which additionally attends 1t
and was sombrely impressive. The
House OF Lords, 10 which the ceremony
took place, was crowded with distin-
guished company of peers, peeresses
diplomatists and government officials.
The crowd was in reality too great to
be properly accommodated, and de-
trscied somewhat from the msjesty Of
the scene presented. This morning,
according TO the time-bonored custom,
guard OF yeoman searched the cellars
beneath the Houses of Parliament to
see that no modern Guy Fawkes was
lurking there. The scene inside the
Chamoer was one of simple splendor.
At one end were two throne seats rich
ly embroidered with scarlet on which
were the royal arms and designs of
gold. The woodwork Of the thrones
was studded with jewels and both rest
ed under huge red canopy. Near by
were fourteen carved oak chairs ~ :
holstered 10 crimson silk and velvet,
which were reserved for the members
of the royal family. All other seats for
the accommodation of spectators were
covered with red. In front OF the
thrones and some distance away, the
judge, robed and wigged, sat on
the woolsacks. Saven long bench
es on each side of the cham
Der, and running lengthwise, held
the peers aud peeresses The
black gowns OF the peersses were made
of dull materials. Queen Alexandra
having ordered that no satins, brocades,
or velvets should be worn. Diamonds
and pearls were the only stones to be
seen. To the right OF the throne eat
the diplomatists, and the bishops. The
newspaper men 10 the press gallery
were all in evening dress. Promptly at
l:30 p. N. King Edward and the Queen
consort left Buckingham Palace 10 the
great gold coach and were driven to
the Parliament buildings. The rou
was lined with soldiers and great
crowds choked up the streets. Five
carriages conveying the roysl attend
ants, headed the procession. The state
coach was built for George Ill. when
he was Prince of Wales, and 1t was last
used by Queen Victoria in 1862. The
body of the royal conveyance is gor-
geous with gold trimmings and painted
panels. The inside OF the coach is up
nolslered with crimson satin. Upon
arriving at Parliament their msjesties
entered the building as two hundred
guards on each side of the road pre-.
sented arms. The peers and others
about the entrance uncovered as the
royal couple passed them. King Ed.
ward was escorted 10 the robing room.
Arriving in the robiDg room the King
and Queen threw the royal gowns OF
scarlet and ermiDe over their shoulders
ard then passed toto the House,
trumpeters berslding their approach.
rhe King and Queen seated themselves
on the throne and every one bowed
low. The royal escort was grouped
near the throne. The King then or.
dered the Black Rod to summon the
Commons and that dignitary, 10 court
dress, carrying the Black Rod aloft.
walked slow ly through the long straight
passage to the House OF Commons and
bowed thrice TO the Speaker. Then he
said: "His Majesty the King desires
the immediate attendance of your Hon.
orsble House 10 the House OF Peers to
hear the commission read" The
Black Rod then backed out and Speak
or Gully left his chair and, preceded by
the mace carrier, led the march Into the
House of Lords. The members fol-
lowed him decorously at first but realiz-
ing that the space reserved for them
was insufficient, 10 accommodate more
than one fourth OF their number, they
soon began to push and jostle one
another and finally forced the Speaker
to run along the hall Ia az undigDitied
manner with the members of the Com.
mons lrooping behind him like pack
of school boys. All of them entered
the presence of the King In unseenly
haste. They were pushing one another
for favorable positions az King Edward
arose to read his speech.
Queen Alexandria occupied throne
indentical in design with the Sovereign's
seat, on bis right hand. The King
read his speech in an even tone that
was audible 10 all parts OF the chamber.
In character the speech was similar to
the Kings expressions TO his Privy
Councillors at the time OF his notiica-
ton OF his accession. II there were
some who expected King Edward to
make sensational statement regard
ing the Boer war, they were dissppoint.
ed, for the Kings utterances 10 this re-
gard were strictly orthodox" from the
point of view of the British government.
"The war 10 South Africa" he said, sis
not yet entirely terminated, but the
capitals OF the enemy and bis principal
lines of communication are in my pro-
SESSION and measures have been taken
hich will, / trust, enable my troops to
d, al effectually with the forces by which
they are still opposed. The early sub.
mission OF the territories is much to be
desired, 10 their own interests, as until
it takes place it will be impossible for
one to establish in these colonies insti-
tutions securing equal rights to all white
inhabitants and protection and justice
to the native population. l desire 10
give effect to her late Maj sty's wishes,
and as evidence that Der interest swells
my own 10 all that concerns the vel.
fare OF my subjects beyond the seas /
have decided that the visit to Australia
shall not be abandoned and shall be ex-
tended to New z,alsnd and the Do
miniou OF Canada" Then addressing
the members Of the House of Commons,
the King said, "GentlemeD, every care
has been taken TO limit the amount of
the estimate for the year, but
the naval aud militsry require.