Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1906-04-13
CUSTOMS OF
THE COMMONS
RULES OF THE HOUSE BEST
LEARNED THRoUo BREAK.
ING THEM.

How can l learn the rules of the
house?" was the question put by an
Irish member to Mr.. Parnell.
by breaking them" replied the un.
crowned king of England.
The rule that for centuries have
regulated the proceedings of the Brit
ish house Of commons are both per-
picking and amusing. Lord Palmer
ston admitted that he had never learn
ed them. and Mr.. Gladstone was fire.
Quent offender against the rules Of
the house.
Every sitting of the house is opened
with prayer by the chaplain. The
front benches of both the ministry
and the opposition are always empty.
But on the occasion of a great de-
bate there is sure to be "a large con-
gregation," and for this reason-the
house consists of go members, but
only half of this number can be &C.
c0mmodated with seats in the cham
be.r
the right to put in his hat a card on
which is inscribed Eat prayers" and
this secures his seat for the whole at
temoon or evening. It is in this way
that piety in parliament meets with
animmediate reward. No unoccup.
pied seat can be retainedafter prayers
as a matter of right. When Mr.. Glad.
stone introduced his home rule bill
there was a mad rush of members to
secure seats, even "at prayers" Sew
eral honorable gentlemen were knock
ed down and trampled on.
Hat Has Some importance.
The hat plays an important part in
the customs of the house. On one &C.
casion the speaker was informed that
an Irish member had brought dozen
soft hats, with which he had secured
a dozen seats for his colleagues. No
incident is greeted with more hearty
laughter than that of a member who,
after an eloquent grafton. pumps
down on his silk hat on the bench be-
hind him. A young member who had
just made his maiden speech sat upon
his new silk hat. There were roars
Of laughter. An Irish member immedi.
ately arose and gravely said:
"Mr. Speaker, permit to congratulate
the honorable gentleman upon the hap.
py circumstance that when he sat up
on his hat his head was not in it,"
This witty remark upset the digni-
ty of the house and the speaker called
Order! Order!" amid roars of laugh.
ter.
1t is curious custom that in parlia-
ment members can wear their hats
when they are seated on benches, but
when they rise from their seats, wheth-
er to address the house or to walk
across the chamber, they must uncov.
er. A new member usually gets some
what mixed up regarding this unusual
custom and he is frequently greeted
with shouts of HAT! Hat"
GIadstone's Borrowed Hat.
Mr.. Gladstone never brought his
hat into the house. But there are GER
tain occasions when a member is
obliged to put question out of order
to the chair seated with his hat on.
One evening Mr.. Gladstone had to ad-
ress the chair and forgetful of the rule
rose to his feet instead of remaining
seated with his hat on. A loud shout
Of "Order! Order!" from all parts of
the house forced him to his seat and
he was abliged to put on his head the
hat Of one of his lieutenants. The
grand old mans head was Of abnor-
NAL size and the comical effect of the
hat drew forth loud laughter.
Forty members constitute a quorum.
But the meetings Of the house proceed
uninterrupted even although there is
but one member present. The speaker
himself can not take notice of the alb.
sence of a quorum. When a member
draws attention to the fact an elec-
trio bell is rung and the members rush
in from the dining room, the parlors
and the Hobbies and then the house is