El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-11-29
SAY
PARLIAMENT IS
VERY STUPID
T. P. o'Connor Likes Word
Inexperienced" Better
Applied to Members.
HOUSE ACQUIRES
OPEN bIINDEDNESS

7 ONDON. Eng Nov. ST. P O'Con-
l. ner. whose long service In parlia-
msnt has mads him known through
out the country as father Of the house
OF commons. tells Us IN the Globe
that he was not surprised when q
very distinguished British politician
remarked TO him the other day
7 an told that this Is an sx-
tremely stupid house OF eommons-"
While 8ir. -O'Connor says he would
not call this commons exactly STU
pid." many OF It's members are 60
say the least. inexperienced" y
would rather describe IT," writes the
veteran politician. as a parliament
mainly consisting OF political ana
tours and not necessarily stupid
a large number OF It's members. &"
he continues. fcame in on the high
tide OF war passion and had never
had any previous political experience,
snd probably owed their election
largely 20 the generous support OF
party funds and to the deIterous
tactics OF sir George Younger
There has up 70 the present been
no evidence OF any special distinction
ia any OF the new members; bur the
house OF commons often suddenly
wakes up 70 the presence in rs
midst OF brilliant talent, obscured
and unknown partly by want OF op-
pOrruuttys and partly nT mat shy
ness which assails nearly every man
who finds himself IN the presence
for the first time OF 90 august and
critical an assembly.
shows Abnormal Conditions
The house OF commons shows in
other respects some Of the abnormal
brought into being. Nr. Lloyd George
desired a parliament fashioned in his
own image and he has got H. The
same lack OF steady conviction.
founded in years OF study and
thought and in the ties OF party. IS
20 be found in the assembly as IS
ullnaDle in the someW naL uncertain
character OF its chief and It's creator.
II il were desired TO destroy party
spirit party spirit certainly Is de-
stzoyed On the house OF commons. SO
far IS the surface IS concerned
Underneath. OF course, there are still
fundamental differences and conflicts
which are n all politics Undoubtedly
there IS q great deal OF capltalistic
sentiment There Is a strong pref
ereucs for individualistic as opposed
to cooperative industry
'On no question has the present
house OF commons shown itself more
eager. and indeed al times more pas
than on the question. for IN
stance, as the naturalization OF
mines Within a few days. when 10
seemed possible that the government
would accept the Sankey report IN
favor OF naturalization, there spraug
up a powerful movement, signatures
m.
equal vehemencs and CELEBRITY. solemn
warnings were uttered publicly 70
the government and undoubtedly had
Mr.. Lloyd George adopted the policy
OF naturalization he would have
been thrown out OF OFFICE.
Il Open Minded
AT the same time, one must admit
that outside anything approaching
socialism, even the majority OF this
house OF commons has some Of the
open mindedness that has come In All
the world since the great war. do I
not think. for Instance. that any vio- I
lent opposition would be given TO any ]
scheme OF copartnership, or reduc-
lion OF hours. or even 70 a minimum I
wage. and most OF the measures Of /
The government have been received i
with sympathy, even though some Of .
hem were strong doses 70 the old i
conservatives
me AAaaAAAN ia Aa-l - -AAAAA AAa-a
lar some consequences that are un-
loubtediy unpleasant and even men I
icinE. Some OF the severest critics .
II the present house OF commons are T
% be found among those who occupy
B prominent position in its ranks.
One distinguished Tory said 10 me
With a smile that he would be IN
lined TO apply to the present ma
ority the title OF a famous short
tory OF o. Henry. The Gentle Graft
rs" and he Illustrated this by say
ng that. sitting In the particular seat
De had chosen. he found himself sur
'ounded by men who had made for
unes IN the War-some 60 guns. some
D cartridges, some in wheat, some In
-egetables. some in timed meats I
I'm not acquainted sufficiently with
he personalities in the house-for
most OF its members are still IN
-noWn 10 me even by name-t0 stare
low far this somewhat unflattering
description ,of its personnel Is cor
.ect, but at the same time I find u
iretty universally felt that the alb
euce Of the bond OF common cOnvic-
ions and OF party loyalty and party
discipline leave TO the individual a
.reater freedom and a greater temp
alton 10 pursue his own personal
than in a parliament under
he old limitations"