Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-09

door little wicket in it is then opened
and through it black rcd states ms busl-
ness The door is then un5olted ana ne Is
admitted to the house and states it over
again.
The bob-tail wigged speaker-elect in court
dress then accompanies black rod across
to the lords. With them go a troop OF
members headed by the sergeant-at-arms'
bearing the mace. But the sergeant does
not carry the mace as he ordinarily does
proudly on his shoulders. He dandles II
delicately in his arms as If II were a fash-
ionable babe on the way to the DapuSfnal
font. Like the abbreviated wig the act mas
a deep significance. 1t means that with
only a half-made speaker the house of
commons is not fully constituted, and that
therefore, its symbol of authority must not
be too boldly displayed.
x !:
In the house of lords the speaker-e-ect,
with many genu1exions, presents himself
before the scarlet-robed and beWigged lord
high commissioners who sit on the woolsack
mute and specter-like with cooked hats
and wands. In words which have been
used by his predecessors for many genera
lions he announces his election. The lord
chancellor replies in words which are also
quite as much a part of a set ritual as
the language of the litany. They are to
the effect that his ma jesty is quite pleased
with the selection which the commons have
made of their presiding officer. Then come
two other speeches of the strictly ritualistic
order.
The speaker demands that the house be
allowed freedom of speech in debate, free
dom from arrest, free access to his maj
esty and that the most favorable construc-
ton may be put upon the acts" of the
house OF commons. The lord chancellor
accedes to all these demands, specifying
them in almost precisely the same words
The speaker kowtows to the lord high
commissioners and the lord high commits
sioners bow to the speaker. With the buzz
zing members trailing after him like
swarm of bees the speaker returns to the
house of commons. Disappearing behind
the speakers chair into what in a theater
would be called the property room, he
energies in trice with his Transformation
completed, the bob-tail wig that marked the
ohrysalis stage of his speakership being re-
placed by the long. full-bottomed, horse
hair head gear, covering his ears and fall
ing over his shoulders. which indicates that
he is full-fedged speaker, entitled to all
the rights, privileges and perquisites of
that office.
His access of dignity is further indicated
by long, flowing robes with a huge train.
Thus attired, he seats himself in the lofty,
canopied chair. and. with tho mace on the
table and three clerks with bob-tail wigs
ct his feet is ready for business, the most
important part of which consists in exer-
etsng a judicious blindness when competi-
ton is keen for the privilege of Catching
the speakers eye.''
Part of his official equipment for which
parliament makes generous allowance
consists of an imposing three-cornered
beaver hat. But he must never clap 1t on
his bewigged- head. The horse-hair emblem
OF his authority is never permitted to suffer
even a partial eclipse while he is perform
Ing the functions of the presiding officer of
the house. 1t must be visible at all times
In It's entirety. The official hat is officially
used only when some member declares there
is no quorum present and demands count
Then the speaker utiliZes the three-cornered
beaver as a pointer with which he motions
to each of the members In turn while count
ing them If theie are fewer than forty
present there Is O count OUT and the
speaker adjourns the house by the simple