Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-05

Oh WHICH HdQ HSafu 50 - W4fN'S
lot has been said and written about the
grace and dignity possessed by these build
ings, and there is little of it that approx
mates the truth. 1t is hard to know wheth-
err to enthuse most over the buildings or
over their site In this particular instance
the master builder and his mortal fmitators
certainly worked together to good effect.
The buildings themselves are pure gothic
of no particular periud-I don't know
what that means. but it's in the guide
book-and the most beautiful buildings OF
the low countries and Italy are supposed
to have furnished suggestions To the archi-
tect.
Parliament was not in session when the
party of correspondents reached Ottawa,
final adjournment having taken place some
days previous. But ii was interesting 20
roam around through the corridors and
into the senate and house of commons
chambers. making comparisons with our
unbeatable Capitol and with its iegisiatiVe
halls. 1t seemed quite odd to note tnat
In the commons the seats we're separated
by a center aisle. which they faced. and
that the opposing political parties divided
at this aisle and spent their time In the
chamber staring into each others counte-
nances across this narrow dividing line. IL
seemed as IL 1t would surely make Tor
trouble. but the visitors were informed that
during the session just closed no one was
seriously injured in controversies growing
out OF this arrangement The speaker of
the commons, which corresponds to our
House of Representatives. occupies chair
that has the general dual characteristics OF
a boxstall and a tallyho coach and wears
enough wigs and robes and things to fit
out theatrical troupe.
The Halls Of Parliament.
The commons chamber is richly but Sc
vereiy furnished. and It's necessary to visit
the other end of the building. where the
upper house of the provisional parliament
holds out. to see the real friils. 1t. is hard
for an absolute stranger to enter the SEN
ate chamber at Ottawa. Not that the local
authorities object. They are anxious and
willing to show the interested visitor every
thing IN town. But the room itself is
mighty likely to get on the nerves of the
uninitiated. 1t Is shrek In red. yell In
crimson. snort in scarlet. Just stand In
the doorway and the room comes at you
all at once and hits you clip between the
eyes. II Senator Blackburn of Kentucky
ever saw this chamber he'd become a res
ident of Canada and try to get senate
appointment. It's the only room l ever
saw that matches the ties he wears.
There is another one of those box-stall
tally-ho affairs. and facing it. at the oppo-
site end of the room. Is a brass-railed en-
closure reminiscent of the Not guilty. your
honor section of the Jefferson market
court. The speaker of the commons stands
in this at the opening of every parliament.
when he comes to tell the governor general
of Canada that his colleagues are assembled
and ready to legislate for the people and
the c. P. r. That's the only time during
the year that the speaker of the commons
whoever he may be-is properly humble.
The rest of the time he's person of great
Importance and presides over the delibera-
lions of his own legislative body with the
gravity Of an Asiatfc elephant and the attf-
tude of an Irving. When there's any dis
order he doesn't kick up his heels, turn a
somersault and put everybody in a good
humor. but tries to frown the offenders out
of countenance or knock them off their feet
with something ponderous and British. If
this doesn't serve the purpose the sergeant
at diva, ma hnt
ing in front of him imposing looking
mace with a dinky little crown on the top
most end Of 1t. This never fails to do the
business. Your member may be paving the
air and making noise like a steamboat
explosion. Show him the mace and he SIM
ply curls up and fades away. Reverence
is a grand thing to have around There's
mace in our own House of Representa-
tiyes, but 1t doesn't have to work over
time And II the sergeant-at-arms of our
House tried to use II to awe member into
submission that same member would proba-
bly, grab 1t gratefully and belt his antag-
onist over the head with 1t. The Canadian
mace would make grand night stick. But
1 suppose 1t was never used for that
These Canadian members lose SO many fine
and dandy opportunities.
Tradition and Custom.
But tradition. I suppose. is to blame-tra-
dition and custom between them. The at
mosphere around the Ottawa houses of |
parliament is entirely different from that |
around the Capitol. 1t is reminiscent of |
a church. The visitor half expects to hear |
an organ roll out some grand old funeral |
march and to hear something about ashes |
to ashes, dust to dust" 1t seems shame |
to speak above whisper. The atmosphere |
is just laden with tradition, the furniture |
Is upholstered with stern custom and the |
ponderous combination soaks deep into the |
soul. 1t seemed restful afterward to |
get out from under the influence of this |
British parliamentary roof |
tree and inhale the cool air and Scotch.
The commons is the important branch of |
the dominion parliament. If you are a |
Canadian you refer to the king. member |
of parliament and the c. P. R. in respect |
full tones and say God bless u.s. under |
your breath Hes only a senator will do |
for member of the so-called upper house |
of parliament But senator's job isn't |
so bad after all. In fact If one Is tired |
of the toll and hustle Of life it's one of |
the most restful positions in the world. /
It's like visit to the country. And it |
pays ST. 800 year and travelling expenses. |
Better than that, It's life position. and |
there isn't such a terrible lot to do. Our |
own civil service anthem applies here very
nicely. for few die and none resign" In |
Canada, elsewhere. there are lots of |
people looking for rest. I. c. n.