The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1907-11-06
BEAUTIES OF THE BLACK ROD.
He is the Kings Messenger, Yet Doors
are Slammed in His Face.


Of England and Custodian of the
Doors OF the High Court called Par
lament. AS such be sits in a box
to the right of the bar in the House
of Lords and controls the admission
of strangers.
But his chief title is Messenger OF
the Sovereign. When the King ap-
pears in the House Of Lords the
members of both chambers must be
present. In his capacity as royal mes
sepger Black Rod has to go and sum
mon the Commons.
AS he walks through the loboles one
OF his ushers heralds his approach
with cries of BLACK Rod. Way fol
Black Rod" Yet it would seem
from his reception at the door OF
the lower chamber that he is regard
ed there with hostility.
The moment he is heard coming,
the sergeant at arms springs 1rom nla
chair, which is close to the main en-
trance to the chamber, and, rushlng
to the open door, not only closes II
with an inhospitable clang in the very
face of Black Rod, but proceeds Sc
curely to bolt it. Presently three
faint knocks are heard. The sergeant
alarms peers into the loboy through
a grated peephole with wooden siol
in the stout oaken door and sees Black
Rod
According to the program not
word is spoken. All that is heard is
| the subdued knocking at the portal.
That soft and humble request is ire
sistible. and at nod from the
Speaker the door is flung open by the
sergeant-at-arms and in walks the
Kings messenger.
The post Of Black Rod, it must be
explained, is in the 2ersonal gift OF
the King. 1t is invariably bestowed
on old naval or military officers,
sailor and a soldier alternately enjoy
ing it's dignity and emoluments. The
Gentleman Usher of the Black Roo
gets s1,0G0 year, and he has dep
utv known as Yeoman Usher OF the
Black Rod, whose salary is $500.
But whether he be soldier or a
sailor. Black Rod is not a very Tor
midable looking person as he is seen
on his visits to the House OF Com
mons. On occasions Of state he dons
his full military of naval fig When
oe comes to summon the commons ne
wears mis- official dress-a black cut
awav tunic, knee breeches, silk stock
iugs, and silver buckled shoes.
: There is not the faintest suggestion
of aggressiveness in his appearance,
Notwithstanding the sword that dan
giles by his side, and the short ebony
rod of Office, surmounted by a golden
lion rampant, which he carries II
mis- hand His message, too, is aoso
lutely blameless.
When the door Of the House O
Commons is opened to him, the iouc
ioiced usher preceding him stands al
] the bar and cries: BLACK 1-od. l.
here be any business in hand 1t is ST
,nce interrupted. The Speaker re-
:pectfully rises to receive the mes
? sage of the sovereign. Members re-
: ain their seats, but uncover.
Black Rod advances slowly to the
table with solemn mien. as Il to sno"
: that he is becoming impressed by the
dignity and sanctity Of the chamber
de further manifests his awe by max
ing three low abeisances to the chair
IN reaching the table, .e simply says:
The Lords Commissioners desire
ihe immediate attendance OF this non
orable House in the House OF Peers. :
When the King is personally pres
emit in the House OF Lords the message
which Black Rod delivers to the Com
mons is more peremptorily worded. 1t
runs: The King commands this
honorable House to attend his Ma]es-
ty Immediately in the House Of Peers
to hear the Kings speech read"
Having thus said what he was sent
10 saw. Black Rod retires respectfully
backward, bowling as he goes, to the
har, where he awaits the Speaker
md escorts him, followed by the
Ministers and others Of the Commons
20 the House of Lords. Sometimes SO
awestruck is Black Rod in the pres
ance OF the mighty Commons that he
.orse;s even the words o. his short
md simple and innocent message
There was the case al Gen. Sir MI
.hael Biddulph, R. A. He was of!i-
ian soldier. He served through the
Criulean compaign with great distlnc-
lion. For his gallent services a. the
occupation of Candahar in the Afghan
war he received the thanks Of both
houses OF Parliament. Yet | nave seen
his great soldier shaking with nerV-
,usness when, as Black Rod, he stood
II the table TO desire the presence OF
he Commons in the House OF Peers.
What then is the meaning OF tnls
hostile banging of the door OF the
Iouse of Commr rs in Black Rods IN
offensive face? Why must the Kings
r,:essc.,sI. nu1iL;;y -.:.cc.i t.:::c2 Ices
,cr admission and wait sNGmlsslVely
IN the mar outside until tie .ePrcss1-
;atives OF the people decide to cpe2
Lneir doors unto him.
We lind in this most Interesting
spectacle a demonstration Of the right
of the Representatives of the peopls 20
conduct their deliberations in secret,
should they deem it necessary, u
shut their doors, especially against
messengers of sovereigns or Peers. and
also declaration that no stranger.
low or high, dare enter their chamber