Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-13
LOWTHER FOR SPEAKER
UNANIMOUSLY REELECTED BY
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

LONDON February 13-James William
T ou,tber was unanimously reelected speak
er of the house of commons today In ac-
cordance with precedent, there was no OPP
position The house afterward adjourned
until tomorrow without transactins any
other business. The swearing In of mem
bers will occupy the rest of the week
The new house of commons meets under
conditions of unusual interest. and evil
dences of this were seen in the wild rush
for seats at midnight. when the spectacle
at the entrance of the houses of parliament
at Westminster resembled the entry to a pit
on the first night of a play by popular
author Nearly three hundred of the mem
bers are entirely new to parliamentary life
as a result of the upheaval caused by the
general election, and the house of commons
police had difficult task in differentiating
between members and outsiders who at
tempted to take advantage Of the occasion
to view the proceedings.
Keen Interest in Proceedings.
Outside the house a great crowd showed
keen interest In the proceedings, crltieising
or cheering. according to their political bias.
the bctter-known members, while the ar
rival Of the yeoman of the guard to make
the historical search of the vaults for
Guy Fawkes. with all the time-honored for
malities. evoked unbounded enthusiasm
The members trooped into the house of
commons shortly before o'clock the time
for the opening, and when that hour struck
the whole house was crowded. Both the
floor and the galleries were filed. and many
members were compelled to stand behind
the bar owing to the insufficient seating
capacity.
The party leaders were accorded a great
reception by their respective adherents. the
upionists trying to veil the noticeabls
paucity of their numbers by an extra dis
play of enthusiasm. minute or two later
Rlack Rod entered and summoned the
CO mmons TO the house of lords, where the
parliament was formally opened by royal
commission. Only a few peers were pres
ent
A Brilliant Ceremonial.
Five royal commissioners wearing robes
OF scarlet and ermine sat on bench IN
f;cnt of the throne to receive the common
ers. The lord chancellor then announced
that as soon as the members of both houses
had been sworn the king would declare the
cause of his calling of parliament together,
adding that at the outset the gentlemen
of the house of commons must appoint
scme proper person to be their speaker
and present him the following day for his
majesty's approval. Upon the withdrawal
or the commoners the peers met to present
their writs and subscribe the OATH those
recently succeeding to their titles being in
t-oduced In their robes.
Meanwhile the commons had proceeded to
the election of speaker. The election OF
the speaker was attended by a somewhat
quaint ceremonial The clerk Of the house
who is not permitted to speak. soemniy
rose and pointed his index finger at Sir
Wilfred Lawson. The latter. who has been
a member of the house longer than any
one else. was evidently posted regarding
what was expected of him, for addressing
the clerk, Sir Wfifred moved In set phrase
oiogy the reelection Of James William
Lowther.
Mr.. Lowther was chosen by unanimous
vote and returned thanks in a graceful
speech.
The formal opening OF parliament will
take place February 10, when the kings
speech will he delivered.