Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-23

greater powers of suppressing the indi-
vfdualist tme-consumer have been grant
ed by free consent of the members. The
Reed rules denounced in one Congress
next, and the gag-rule of Cannon's day
is not unknown under the regime of
Clark and Underwood.
< x
But suppose Congress, that can rarely
find an hour for the discussion of the af-
fairs of the
Many Small Matters city of Wash
Must Be Cared For. tass ' al n' th -,
burdens of all the state legislatures and
most of the city councils. What then?
No city in the three kingdoms may build
a street railway or a gas plant without
the permission of parliament. Every lit
tie thing is reserved to parliament, and
so the machinery would not move at all
were there no strong hand at the lever.
Here comes in another matter. Sup
pose a small town, in Ireland. for exam
pie, desires to build an electric plant. 1t
must come to parliament. But mere
petition, OF bill introduced by its own
member, does not suffice. 1t must appear
first before the local government board,
which is department of government. Its
appearance there is not a mere call of
delegation, but it must appear by counsel,
and the lawyers fees are heavy and fixed
by custom. If the local government board
is impressed it will send out an inspector
at the expense OF the town. If he re-
ports favorably, the town must then ap-
pear before a legislative committee of
parliament This appearance also must be
by counsel. at heavy fees. And then the
matter may drag from year to year. One
town such as this waited five years and
finally got its permission at a cost of
more than $4,000 in fees and expenses of
counsel
Such a bill once through the committees
will be passed, however, as the legislative
stage is purely formal.
Tho cabinet allows private members one
day I'm each week for their measures.
The time of
Private Members Get all other days
One Day Each Week. the govern.
ment, except that precious forty-five min
utes every afternoon when the cabinet
ministers must answer questions. That
institution enables the private member on
either side to Check up" the govern
ment, and it has a most salutary effect.
The questions show the enormous scope
Of this busy government. In one after
noon they included. besides a torrent
about Ulster, questions relating to Brit
ish affairs in every quarter Of the globe
New Zealand and Newfoundland. Jamai-
ca and the Transvaal; foreign affairs in
many lands, the milk supply of the house
restaurant, and the arrangements for CIV
ing Sunday afternoon outings to cooks
employed at hospital in East London.
Every question was gravely answered,
although some of the replies were not
particularly illuminative.
The speaker of the house is peculiar
institution He is a non-partisan, and
ence elected he is elected over again every
year until he wishes to retire. when he Is
given a peerage and a seat in tho house
of lords. The present speaker. the Rt.
Hon. J. W. Lowther. is conservative,
but he has been reelected by the liberals
every year since 1906. He gets a salary
Of S25 600 and a residence in the West
minister Palace.
The speaker has no political power. but
has parliamentary powers and authority
In high degree. He may adjourn the
house at any time If he thinks the con-
alterations Of good order deem 1t adj
visable He may cut Off debate in any
circumstances when the member speak
ine Introduces matter not germane to
the subject. He may call members 70