THE SCENE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Inangahua Times, Volume XI, Issue 1712, 2 June 1886, Page 2

THE SCENE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Atlantic despatches are particulary full in respect to the Home R«lp proposals of Mr Gladstone's Govern meut. which appear to have created as much interest in America as in England. There was a rush of members for seats. Extraordinary pains as to the secrecy of Mr Gladstone's scheme were taken by him. The Prim© Minister was so anxious to preserve the secret of his measure until the moment of its divulgence from his own lips, that he restricted the Ministerial issue of copies. Obligations of secrecy were imposed on all the recipients, who were held individually and collectively responsible for the "safe*keeping of the mystery up to the hour when its author revealed it. Great consternation prevailed amongst the Irisb landlords. Mr Gladstone slept well on the night proceding the Bth, the date fixed for tie speech. His voice was fresh, strong and evidently enduring. Immediately after his breakfast Mr Gladstone repaired to his official room. There iie fouud prepared for his perusual tl.e morning papers and scores of telegrams bearing on the task of the day, ani more than one letter from close personal friends, and advices bringing words of cheer and congratulations. Before the night watchmen in the House **ere relieved or lights extinguished a number of membra and other geutteme 1 possessed of cards which assured tiem admittance, began to arrive to make themselves doubly certain of their privileges by getting to their seat eleven hours before Mr Gladstone would reach the House, and, retaiued them during long intervals. Mr M'Donnell Sullivan, the Nationalist member for Sonth We3t.neath, was the tirst man tc gain an entrance to the House. He got in as early as 5.30 in the morning, and at once pro* ceeded to make sure of his place. It is alleged, however, that Sullivan secured his advantage by bribing friendly police nen to permit him to have access by the back stairs. The South Westmtath member was not long sole occupant of the echoing chamber; he w is almost immediately followed by a score of his Parnellite colleagues. The rule regarding seats is practically " first eotne, tirst sei-vt»d," and Mr Sullivan, therefore, had his pick of the who c floor. H« chose the very best seat, near to and immediately before the gangway, on the Opposition, or left side of tie. Speaker's desk. As the Ministerial bench is situated just opposite or to the right of the Speaker and the Prime Minister has usually occupied the se it just below the gangway on that sice, Mr Sullivan secured a seat vis a- vis to the orator. It was not long before all the Parnellites were in the House, and they procnred the best places in the locality invaded by Mr Sullivan, and got places to the front of Mr Gladstone during hisspeechA rush of Itish members followed close upon the advent of the Parnellitea. It was yet early in the morning when all the seats ol the floor were taken. A seat chosen to be retained mast be ticketed with the hat of the member who means to occupy it, and that the hat must be the one that he was wearing that day, as no substitution is permitted. The present generation never witnessed such a " hatting " scene as occurred in the Honse of Commons. Loig before London was awake numbers of members were I afraid to trust to the honoar of their colleagues, for maintenance of the rules on such in occasion, and those I retained possession of their chosen seats by remaining in them bodily all day. The scramble for places was terrific among outsiders. Ladies began to come at 10 o'clock. At noon one could see a duchess on the stairs eating penny bins, while waiting for the doors to ope ». L&tvr ou a curious sight presented itself in the Commous' lobby, where the P«ers assembled in a group at the d:>or of their gallery, waiting for it tc open, being ordered i about l>y the lackeys like common mortals. The Irish and Radicals derived great enjoyment from this scene. When the doors were opened the peers made a gnu d rush, like ft crowd in the gallery of a theatre, and even dignified Lord Spencer jumped over seats like a h o Hum to gain the front row. The Prince of Wales. Prince Victor and i rince Christian sat over the ekek watching the proceedings. Members, strangers, peers and diplomatists were all packed together like sardiies.