The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-08-05
.LDAD MAYOR Of LONDON
He is a Familiar Figure to the
Man in the Street"
POWERS LITTLE KNOWN
"'i,hin the CITY Itself re Takes Pre-
cedcncc of Every Subject of the
king--i'r!nccs of the Royal Blood
Net Excep;cd-ENpec cted to Spend
More Than His Salary.

More Than His Salary.
The Lord Mayor of the City Of
London ~ a familiar figure to the
man in the street" but of his real
powers ana privileges and the his
tory of his ancient Office very little
Is known to the average Londoner
How many, for instance, are aware Of
the fact that within the city itself he
takes precedence Of every subject Of
The king-princes of the royal blood
not even excepted?
His princely emolument of 10000
year and "lordly pleasure house"
provided as his Official residence by
,he corporation, are fitting acompa-
uimcnts TO the state he is called up
on to maintain. The sum in ques-
-.Ca, although considerable. Is al
ways very much less than he is ex-
rectod to spend during his year. The
drst day of Office alone--Lord May
1rs Eay--with its SHOW" and ban
Iuct ia the evening costs something
JerUeon four and five thousand
sounds. one-half of which is borne
oy him and the rest equally by his
;wn sheriTs.
Every great national disaster in
th.s or any other land finds in him
TIE ready and willing public receiver
1u' c!r,oner OF the worlds charity
tda Mansion House Fund being just
iy renowned for their munificence
."i t-e prompttude with which they
are collected and applied.
us pGblic duties are innumerable.
lie s chairman of the periodical
meetings of the COURTS of Aldermen
and Comon Council, presides over the
Livery in Common Hall and every
other great meeting of citizens in the
ancient Guildhall. These meetings
during the South African war fever
were frequent and uproarious. He is
corporations committees, although
attendance of these is not looked for
% any extent during his mayoralty.
At corporations, by immemorial
usage he acts as Cup-bearer or Chief
Butler. He is Chief Magistrate in
tAe city, Coroner of London, trlstee
Of st Pauls Cathedral and chairman
Of His Majesty's Commission of
LieHter2ncy, to which body he alone
EIs the highly priced right of nomi
mating to fill vacancies thereon.
such old-world privileges as the
cight 20 so a-hunting in Epping For
rs; ana TO proceed in glorious pag-
cant upon the River Thames have
iind; lut he is still Admiral of the
Fort of London and eX-oficio chair
nan of the Thames Conservancy, a
eight however, which is now never
claimed.
The Lord Mayor only recognizes
2re greater than himself in his own
lom1ln-the Monarch. Him ne
meets on royal visits to the city at
Temple Bar or Holborn Bars. and
Yields up to him his emblem of civic
sovereignty-the sword-which be-
ing duly returned, he bears in front
OF the royal procession until the city's
Nour daries are again reached.
No troops may enter the city's
square mile. save by his leave first
obtained, and by day or night he may
,iGim admission through the gates of
the ~ower Of London, the password
being duly furnished to him from
time - time by his Sovereign.
Net only in the matter of emoli-
Elents and residence are his sur
roundings magnificent. There is his
ccach a wonderful eQuipage built in
1851. weighing nearly four tons,
with eXquisi.ely painted panels and
q cilded and reguilded as to earn
Tor it the sobriQuet of the ginger
bread coach" as distinct from the
more modest though very handsome
vehicle used on ordinary occasions.
The coach was built by contribution
Of $50 n head from the Aldermen
wAn had not served as Mayor. and is
now seldom seen save In the civic
recession of to-day.
lis chains and insignia are all
worthy of note. The badges of roy
: y are attached to his Office; the
sword and mace are carried before
him on state occasions and he wears
Tie collar and jewel conferred upon
MIN as a mark of royal favor. HIS
chain, which is five feet long. consists
II series of gold S links (hence
called the SIS chain), the jewel being
scs.ended by ring of diamonds.
There are several swords attached
10 the office, one being the magnifi-
cent anG unique Pearl" sword pre-
sented by Queen Elizabeth in 1871 on
>panng the Royal Exchange. This,
however, is seldom seen, being car
ried only at great national functions.
another is the black sword borne on
lie death of any member of the royal
,GUlly. On these occasions II is the
Lori Mayors duty TO direct the toll
ing of the great bell of st. Paul's. A
sword always reposes on the table at
the. corporations great fortnightly
meetings at Guildhall and by order
ing its removal the Lord Mayor can