The Lambertville record., 1909-01-27
LONDON'S ODD PRISON
Westminster Clock Tower Is the
Finest Jail In England.
BUT IT is ALWAYS EMPTY.
The Tower Is the British Pariiament's
House Of Detention, and Charles
Bradlauoh Was Its Last Occupant.
The Old Prison Ia Former DAYS

House Of Detention, and Charles
Bradlau9h Was Its Last Occupant.
The Old Prison la Former DAYS.
Ii the average sentenced criminal
were allowed 10 select his place OF
confinement his choice would prob
ably fall Oh the Clock Tower prison
at Westminster, as that is the very
finest prison in Great Britain aud Is
able to supply comforts and Injuries
quite unknown to the ordinary Hill
Skies
But the law decides that members
of parliament only may be confined
in that Jail, although rank outsiders
could be committed to the Clock Tow
er for certain offenses against the
rules and regulations of parliament.
The Clock Tower prison, us IL ex.
lists today was erected In connection
with the house occupied by the ser
geant at arms. This official Is In COM
plcte charge of any member com.
mltted TO the Clock Tower, and a
member cannot easily make his es.
cape, because, In order to do so, he
must pass through the house of the
sergeant.
Very few members of parliament
are committed to the Clock Tower In
these days. We have to go back many
years to find Il precedent, Mr.. Charles
Bradlaugh being the last member to
occupy the cells at the Clock Tower.
av.I l,n Il In
was handed over to the custody of the
sergeant at arms on June %, 1886,
committed to the Tower and released
next day.
There are two sets of cells in the
Clock Tower. an upper and lower.
but both suits of cells are much the
same In each there Is II sitting room
Of very ample proportions. well car
peted and furnished and replete with
most of the things which go toward
making one comfortable
In each suit there are two bedrooms
one for the use of the imprisoned
NJ. T., the other for the convenience
of the iailer, who must always be on
the spot In order to see that the
legislator makes no attempt to escape,
Any member of parliament sent to
the Clock Tower by order OF the
speaker would be required to pay for
his own food, and If he did not dc
so he could he sued in court. Any
legislator iheareerated In the Ciocl
Tower would be allowed to rise II
the morning just when he pleased, ant
he could retire to bed when the splrl
moved him. He could read To Ill
hearts content and smoke MS muc|
as he liked. there being no restriction
over such matters; his whole punish
ment would lie In being prevente'
from joining his fellows and mIxInl
with them.
He would be taken out to exercise
but would always have two officials
beside him to guard against any ut
tempt at escape, and his exercis,
| would be taken on the terrace before
the house sat for the day, tndel
no circumstances would he be nj
lowed to hold converse with his fcl
low men. one way or another IN im-
prIsoned NJ =. would not have "A bad
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