The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1904-12-08
ROYAL POMP In CANADA
ITS ABSURDlTY APPRECIATED
BUT ITS RETENTION DE-
MANDED.
Canadian Parliament ceremony-Roy-
al Pomp in Democratic Country
Personality and Popularity Of the
Retiring Governor-GeneraI.


Personally and Popularity of the
Retiring Governor-GeneraI.
Canadians, in spite of their strong
democratic principles, still cling. to
good deal Of the ancient ceremonial
SO dear to the heart Of the English
man. The encouragement drives to
the houses of parliament in a coach
and four, with powdered cutriders in
rich uniform, and an escort of dra-
goons. AS he enters the stately Goth
ic archway of the parliament building,
the regiment of Foot Guards on the
terrace present arms, the band strikes
up the national anthem, and the bat
terry on Nepean Point fires royal sa-
Lutte
Escorted by group Of aides-de-camp
in brilliant state uniforms, his excel
lency proceeds to the senate cham
Der and takes his seat on the throne.
The judges Of the supreme court, in
scarlet and ermine, are seated on the
"woolsack" in front of the throne;
the grave senator's are at their desks
on either side of the long rectangular
chamber; the galleries are bright with
summer gowns.
The speaker Of the senate orders the
gentleman usher of the black rod to
proceed to the lower house and inform
the commoners that his excellency
is waiting to prcrogue parliament.
That curious dignitary proceeds to the
house of commons and raps upon a
door facing the speakers desk. By
order Of the speaker he is admitted
to the floor CT the House, and with
solemn face and most dignified step,
the gentleman usher marches up the
aisle, pausing at regular intervals and
bowling to the floor, until he reaches
the speakers throne, where he delivers
his message, and then retires as he
came, with such dignity as the cir
cumstances will permit, for custom
compels him to retire backward Not
even the senate's representative may
turn his back upon the speaker CT the
house Of commons.
; AS the usher retires Mr.. Speaker
rises, and, preceded by the sergeant
alarms carrying the mace, and fol-
lowed by the members, proceeds to the
senate chamber, where, after his ex-
cellency has signified his assent to
the various bills passed by the two
houses, he formally prorogues par
lament
All this seems rather incongruous in
the goth century, and on this very
democratic continent, but it is not
probable that you would find many
Canadians who would wish to have it
changed. Their attitude is somewhat
complex. While they are democratic
enough to feel the incongruity of the
whole elaborate ceremonial, in this age
and country, yet the mere fact that it
is part CT their inheritance as Britons
endears the thing to them.
When the late usher of the black
rod died it was proposed that his Office
should be abolished, but the members
would not hear Of it, and both houses
insisted that the cid Office should be
retained. Yet, when the unhappy in
dividual who now fills the position,
makes his backbreaking bows before
Mr.. Speaker, the members, with seant
dignity, mark each painful bend with
sympathetic groans. For the sake OF
auld lang syne they will doubtless con-
tinue to vote annually fat salaries for
the maintenance of officials whose po-
sitiCns are almost absolute sinecures,
and preserve the cumbrous ceremonial
whose absurdity they appreciate and
have humor to enjoy, but which they
would not permit an outsider to laugh
at. @
The present closing of Parliament
has somewhat special interest from
the fact that it is the last occasion
on which the Earl of Mimic will meet
the Canadian legislature. Before the
close OF. the year he returns to Eng
land, to be succeeded as governor
general probably by Earl Grey, who,
by the way, in his brother-in-law, and
incidentally one of the wealthiest of
English peers.
Lord Milto's term as governor-gen-
eral is notable as having been the con-
Meeting link between two reigns. He
received his trust from Queen Vic
toria, and returns it to King Edward.
The significance of this is enhanced
when it is remembered that during the
reign of Victoria, of whom he was the
last representative, Canada grew from
group of insignificant, weak, and
scattered colonies. into compact con-
federation, possessiong all the elements
Of strength, prosperity and nation
hood.
In these days the goyernor-gene
is little mere than figurehead in
Canada. Time was when he was
much more than this. A statesman
like Dufferina could, and did, take
very active part in the government
of the country. always of course with
in his constitutional limits. Nowadays
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