The Washington herald., 1910-01-30
by EX-ATTACHE.

When the new Parliament assemblies a
fortnight hence, at Westminster. for
business. the very first duty of the House
Of Commons will be to proceed TO the
election of a speaker; and while the
Right Hon James W Lowther IS viz
tGally certain TO be chosen again for this
lofty office, which has justly been de-
scribed as that of the first commoner OF
the realm, it may be Of interest TO
sketch the procedure followed on such
occasions.
On the day appointed by royal proc
lamation for the meeting Of the newly
elected, legislature. the members Of the
House OF Commons assemble in their
chamber, the speakers chair remaining
empty. and his mace Of Office being un-
der instead OF on. the table A few
minutes after 2, that is, the usual hour
for the ceremony. the doorkeeper an
nounces Black Rod and the latter, who
is the principal executive official Of the
House Of Lords, enters. and with a num-
Der Of bows 10 the speakers empty chair.
invites this Honorable House" to repair
to another place" to hear the speech
| by means Of which the King opens Par
| lament
He then retires. bowling thrice, and Is
quickly followed by the chief clerk OF
the House Of Commons. a Kings coun-
sci, wearing the wig, the silk robes, the
queer fashioned coat knee breeches and
silk stockings Of his Office. and by most
of -a ia u,
ordinary morning dress take Up their
position at the bar OF the House of
Lords, and listen TO the reading by the
| King OF his speech: that is TO say, as
many Of them as can crowd into the ex-
| ceedingly restricted space accorded to
them. At the conclusion OF the speech,
and on the withdrawal Of the King and
Queen. the Commons flock back to the
/ lower chamber.
After they have resumed their places.
the clerk Of the House. sitting at the
table below the speakers empty chair
rises, and silently points three fingers at
the chief representative Of the admins
tration, otherwise, the Premier. and
I hliONA d. tic l<Cd4tE VI TIE EAOLct.
The latter thereupon rises, and pro-
poses the reelection TO the speakershir
OF the previous incumbent Of that office
or. IL he declines reelection, then puts
| forward some other candidate, whose
name has usually been already agreed
upon with the leader OF the opposition
who generally seconds the nomination
! Seldom, certainly not within the memory
Of the present generation. has there been
fulI-hedged contest for the office OF
speaker.
| For the government conscious OF II.
/ numerical superiority, always endeavor'
| TO secure q candidate who will be en-
! tGely acceptable 10 the minority, so tina
/ there may be no question whatsoever a.
10 the impartiality OF the chair. More,
over providing a speaker has provel
/ himself competent, he is always reelected
untn he either loses his seat in ParIia
ment or else himself wishes 20 retire from
the chair.
In fact when on one occasion DisraAl
wished 70 prevent the reelection O
/ Speaker Brand. who owed his nomination
20 Gladstone. he found tho members O
his own party-that IS 20 say, the Con
servatives-so strongly opposed 70 an.
move Of the kind that he abandoned hi
intention
| There being no objection raised 20 th
/ candidate thus nominated by the leade
OF the government. and seconded by tn
| leader OF the opposition. the clerk Of tn
House after the lapse OF two minutes, a
indicated by the sandglasS on the tabl
before him. rises from his seat at tn
table and again, without uttering q word
| points with his three fingers II the nom
ines
The latter then rises from his seat f.
tho body Of the House. and, addressing
the clerk by name, expresses his appre
citation Of the honor conferred upon him
requesting that he may have the sup
port Of every member. without whicI