ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.
(Extracted from the Diary of Toby, M.P.)
House of Commons, Tuesday, February 10.—Odd to find proceedings in House to-day reminiscent of incident in a famous trial. Occasion recognised as supremely momentous. Marks, within defined limit of time, crisis of bitter controversy. Before Session closes fate of Ireland and of the Ministry will be settled. Premier's speech awaited with gravest anxiety. Lobby thronged with animated groups. Before four o'clock—when Speaker returned to Chair elate with consciousness of singular foresight in having "for greater accuracy" possessed himself of copy of King's Speech, presently read to expectant Members, most of whom heard it delivered from the Throne two hours earlier—stream of humanity flooded House, filling every seat and crowding Bar.
It was at preliminary gathering that case of Bardell v. Pickwick was recalled. House awaiting arrival of Black Rod with summons to repair to gilded Chamber. Message delivered, Speaker, escorted by Serjeant-at-Arms carrying Mace, marches off. From Treasury Bench and from Front Bench opposite, Leader of House and Leader of Opposition simultaneously rise and fall in. Other Ministers and ex-Ministers with mob of Members complete procession.
When Premier and Bonner Law met they heartily shook hands. Captain Craig and Moore (of Armagh) looked at each other in pained surprise.
Mr. Pickwick (Captain Craig) regards with abhorrence the exchange of salutations between Serjeant Buzfuz (Mr. Asquith) and his own counsel, Serjeant Snubbin (Mr. Bonar Law).
Here was the touch of nature that makes the whole world kin. When seated in court awaiting opening of trial, Mr. Pickwick observed a learned serjeant-at-law make friendly salutation to his own counsel.
"Who's that red-faced man who said it was a fine morning, and nodded to our counsel?" he whispered to his solicitor.
"Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz," was the reply. "He's opposed to us; he leads on the other side."
Mr. Pickwick, it is recorded, regarded with great abhorrence the cold-blooded villainy of a man who, as counsel for the opposite party, presumed to tell Mr. Serjeant Snubbin, who was counsel for him, that it was a fine morning.
Thus Moore (of Armagh) and the Courageous Craig. Here were the contending forces set in battle array, and the first thing they behold is their Captain shaking hands with the commander of the enemy! An ominous beginning, they agreed, well calculated to depress the spirits of men who mean business.
It proved emblematical of what followed. Expected that stupendous occasion would be marked by dramatic scenes, possibly by outbreak of disorder. Nothing of that kind happened. Scene was indeed impressive by reason of Chamber being crowded from floor to topmost bench of Strangers' Gallery. Also, whilst Premier in unusually low-spoken, comparatively halting voice, delivered critical passages of his speech, there was movement marking intense interest. Multitude on floor of House bent forward to catch the murmured syllables. Members crowding the side galleries stood up in same anxious quest.
Mr. John Burns (holding list of the four new appointments to Government Departments, including his own to the Board of Trade). "Excellent choices!—with perhaps the exception of Samuel, Hobhouse and Masterman."
Otherwise the accustomed signs and tokens of Parliamentary crisis were conspicuously lacking. Walter Long, whose return to fighting-line after bout of illness was warmly welcomed on both sides, pitched the opening note a little low. Not fierce enough to gratify Ulster, he correspondingly failed to irritate the Home Rulers.
As for Premier, his part, adroitly played, was to appear to be saying a good deal without committing himself to definite pledges. Above all, not to inflame controversy. He brought with him unusually copious notes, but did not, as is his wont on such occasions, read from them the text of especially weighty passages. Spoke slowly, occasionally in a murmur, uttering his sentences as if deliberately weighing each word. Following Walter Long, he was received with prolonged cheers, testifying to personal popularity. When he sat down cheering was more polite than effusive.
Irish Nationalists barely contributed even to this circumspect note of approval. Throughout nearly an hour's speech they sat in ominous silence, listening to passages in which they seemed to recognise disposition on part of Premier towards mood of Benedick, who, when he said he would die a bachelor, never thought he would live to be married.
Had not Premier within the last twelve months frequently declared he would never consent to exclusion of Ulster from Home Rule Bill? And wasn't he now showing signs of disposition to surrender?
Business done.—Parliament reassembles. Walter Long, on behalf of Opposition, moves amendment to Address, calling upon Government to appeal to country before proceeding further with Home Rule Bill.
Wednesday.—Interest of sitting centred in speeches of Carson and John Redmond. Former met with rousing reception from Opposition. Some Ministerialists would have liked to join in the demonstration, not because they share Carson's views or admire his policy, but because they instinctively feel admiration for a man of commanding position who has sacrificed personal and professional interests to what he regards as the well-being of his country. Esteem increased by merit of his speech. Only once did he lapse into tone and manner of personal attack familiar to House when Ulster Members and Nationalists, hating each other for love of their country, join in debate. Turning round to top bench below Gangway, where John Redmond sat attentive, he said: "If you want Ulster, come and take her, or come and win her. But you have never wanted her affections; you have wanted her taxes."
This stung to the quick. Redmond, leaping to his feet when Carson resumed his seat, hotly denounced accusation as unworthy of his countryman.
House already began to show signs of satiety. Long intervals when benches were empty. Cousin Hugh, speaking at favourable hour of six o'clock, failed to attract an audience to whom he might present his cheering forecast of an interval of six weeks spent in listening to speeches of Members below the Gangway, "poked up by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to attack the First Lord of the Admiralty." Benches crowded whilst Carson and Redmond spoke. Filled up again when Chancellor of Exchequer in brief speech wound up debate on behalf of Government, and Bonner Law, as usual unencumbered by notes, replied.
Business done.—Demand for immediate dissolution negatived by 333 votes against 255. Opposition elate at reduced majority.
"I fancy," said Premier, smiling serenely upon the Winsome Winston, "they would gladly suffer from our complaint."
House of Lords, Thursday.—Noble Lords, having disposed of Address, already find themselves in condition of frozen-out gardeners who have no work to do. Session but a few days old has already afforded fresh sign of disposition to belittle hereditary Chamber.
"Noble Lords already find themselves in condition of frozen-out gardeners who have no work to do."
(Lord Curzon and Lord Lansdowne.)
It happened thus. On opening night Lord Londonderry, making his way along Peers' Gallery in Commons, came upon extraordinary sight. A stranger on front seat overlooking sacred quarter allotted to Peers, finding himself incommoded by hat and overcoat, neatly folded up the latter, dropped it on the Peers' bench beneath and carefully placed his hat upon it. Hadn't Lloyd George demonstrated that the land belonged to the people? Here was undeveloped space. As a free man he claimed it for his own uses.
Londonderry, halting, angrily regarded the incumbrance. Turned about with evident intention of calling attendant's notice to unparalleled liberty. At that moment his eye fell on the countenance of the stranger. Could it be? Yes; it was the school proprietor whose patriotic offer of aid to Ulster in approaching civil war he had a few days earlier reported to an admiring nation. Letter offered to provide for two sons of any Ulster volunteer who fell in battle with the myrmidons of an iniquitous Ministry. As sometimes happens, pearl of the letter was hidden in the postscript. Writer explained that he could not very well go to the war himself but would send his partner.
Recognition placed new aspect on little affair. Londonderry perceived it was simple ignorance of customs of the place that led to apparent indiscretion. So with genial nod passed on to seat over the clock.
Few minutes later outraged attendant, catching sight of the bundle, peremptorily ordered its removal.
Business done.—By 243 votes against 55 Lords carried Middleton's amendment to Address demanding immediate dissolution. Willoughby de Broke communicated to the Member for Sark his conviction that this hide-bound Government will take no notice of the mandate.
"Reminds me," said the Bold Baron, brushing away a manly tear, "of a hymn I learned in the nursery:—
'Tis not enough to say
You're sorry and repent
If you go on in the same way
As you did always went.'"