Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1917-02-10
BRITISH RULER cCNVENES SEW
ENTH SESSION OF SECOND
PARLIAMENT.
KING AND QUEEN CEREMONlOuS
LY GREETED IN THE HOUSE
OF LORDS.
GENERAL ELECTION BILL PRlN
ClPAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION
TO COME UP.
By ED. L. KEEN

properly launched today if the eel
lars and vaults at Westminster hadn't
been previously searched for possible
imitators of Guy Fawkes and his fell
low conspirators in "gunpowder, trea-
son and plot"
So, at nine o'clock this morning.
just as they have done regularly for
more than 800 years on the opening
day of each new session, a squad Of
grey bearded veterans, clad in their
picturesque Elizabethan uniforms OF
scarlet and gold, and armed with an
Gent halberds and lanterns, began
solemnly nosing around through the
communicating trenches and dugouts
beneath the legislative chambers.
Not until these "Beefeaters,' as the
Yeomen of the Guard are popularity
termed. had formally reported to the
Sergeants-at-Arms of the Lords and
Commons that diligent search had
failed to disclose the presence of any
lurking assassins, gunpowder Ger
man spies, high explosive bombs, suf-
fragettes, or poison, gas tanks, and the
information had been tremendously
conveyed to Buckingham Palace. did
the King and Queen prepare for their
journey to the House of Parliament.
Some precedents have been merely
modified by the war. For example,
the King. instead of wearing his gor
geous field marshals dress uniform,
appeared in khaki Also the process
SIGN from Buckingham to Westmin
ster was considerably simplified Their
majesties rode in the usual state
coach, but it was drawn by six black
horses instead of the eight cream
colored Hanoyarians formerly used on
such occasions. There wasn't the Gus
tomarily large outturning Of the popu-
lace along the route.
Arriving at the entrance to the
House of Lords, the King and Queen
were greeted by the officers of state
and conducted to the robing room.
whence after DOMINIC their royal
robes they proceeded to the thrones.
escorted by the usual heralds, trum-
peters and court officials carrying
their regalia.
The floor of the chamber was pack
ed with members of the nobility, while
in the gallery were peereses. society
leaders, representatives of tn diplo-
/ matte corps and other distinguished
spectators
The Gentleman Usher of the Black
Rod was despatched to summon the
faithful Commons" OF the latter
only about sixty were able to squeeze.
in and crowd around the bar of the
house
A conspicuous figure in black robes,
gold chain and full bottomed wig, the
new Lord Chancellor then advanced
to the steps of the thrones and kneel
| ing presented to his Majesty the
parchment roll whereon a speech care
fully prepared for him by Lloyd
George and his fellow cabineteers-
but by pleasing fiction known as the
Kings speech, was inscribed King
George read the address in clear, firm
tones.
| At the conclusion of the speech the
King and Queen left the chamber and
returned by the same route to the
palace
Meantime the Commons were as
sembling in their own hall. Some of
the members had appeared as early
as eight to register their claims for
favorable seats for the session, by
placing their hats thereon. Here an
other damaged precedent. In the old
DAYS before the war it would have
been almost sacrilege to appear at
any session, especially the opening
day of parliament, in any other head
gear than a top hat. Today there
was q AOu9lueIdDic SpiAhhAhS " Nti-
bies, soft SLOUGH hats and khaki caps
for liberal percentage of the Com
mons are now in the Kings army
It is not expected that much legis-
lation Of importance viii be forthcom-
ing until Easter time, when the gov
eminent will present the new budget
Of taxation wherein II is likely that
some entirely new devices for raising
funds for the conduct Of the war will
appear. Just before the close Of the
last session a new vote Of credit for
four hundred million pounds $4,000
900 9o0) vas passed. 50 there viii
probably not be another until later
in the spring.