The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-14
SPEAKER IS CHOSEN
JAMES WILLIAM LOwTHER ELECT
 ED BY THE COMMONS.
The Usual Quaint Ceremonies are Gone Through With Upon the Reas- scmblfng of the English
 Parliament.

London, Feb. 13.--James William Lowther was unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Commons to- day. In accordance with precedent, there was no opposition. The House afterwards adjourned until tomorrow without transacting any other business. The swearing in of members will oc- cupy the rest of the week. The new House of Commons met under condf- tions of unusual interest and evidence of this was soon seen in the wild rush for seats at midnight when the spec >tacIe at the entrance of the houses of Parliament at Westminster resembIed the entry to a pit on the first night of play by a popular author. Nearly 300 of the members are entirely new to Parliamentary life as result of the upheaval caused by the general elections, and the House of Commons police had difficult task in differen- tiating between members and outsiders who attempted to take advantage of the occasion to view the proceedings.
 Outside the House a great crowd showed keen interest in the proceed ings. criticisins or cheering according to their political bias, the better known members. while the arrival of the yeo- men of the guard to make the historic search of the vaults for a Guy Hawkes. with all the time-honored formalities 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 reception. by their respective adherents. the Unionists try ing to veil the noticeable paucity of their numbers by an extra display of enthusiasm A minute or two later the
 Black Rod entered and summoned the Common to the House of Lords, where hn pa rlE Eu fnrYracTNxv by a royal commission. Only a few Peers were present.
 Five royal commissioners, wearing robes of scarlet and ernline, sat on a bench in front of the throne to receive the Commoners. 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 to- gether adding that at the outset the
 gentlemen of the House of Commons
 must appoint some proper person" to
 be their speaker and present him the following day for his majesty's ap- preval.
 On the withdrawal of the Common CTS the Peers met to present their
 writs and subscribe to the oath, those
 recently succeeding to their titles being
 introduced in their robes.
 Meanwhile the Commons had pro-
 ceeded to the election of a Speaker.
 The election of the Speaker was at-
 tended by q somewhat quaint ceremo-
 nial. The Clerk of the House, who is
 not permitted to speak, solemnIy arose and pointed his index finger at Sir
 wilfred Lawson. The latter. who has been & member of the House longer than any one else, was evidently in- formed regarding what was expectd
 of aim. Addressing the Clerk. Sir Will fred moved in set phraseology the re- election of James William Lowther. MT. Lowther was chosen by unanl-
 nous vote and returned thanks in a graceful speech.
 The formal opning of Parliament will take place February 19, when the
 Kings speech will be delivered.