ELECTION OF SPEAKER.
Immediately after the return of the Commons to their own House, they proceeded to the election of a Speaker. The chairman on the occasion was the Chief Clerk, Sir Denis Le Merchant. Lord HARRY VANE, addressing the Chief Clerk, nominated the new Member. In the brief speech with which he introduced his motion Lord Harry Vane referred, in terms of warm commendation, to Mr. Shrivr Lefevre, the late Speaker, whose name had been so long associated with the proceedings of the House, and whom it had become a matter of routine to nominate for the Speakership. His qualifications for the office it would be difficult to equal and impossible to excel, and a grave responsibility rested on the
• Member who undertook to propose his successor.
"The character of the Speaker of this House must at all times exercise an important influence over its deliberations. In former times, that independence of character and that firmness of purpose which could alike resist the blandishments and frowns of the Crown seemed to be one of the primary recommendations for the office of Speaker. Now, though, no doubt, it is essential that we should choose a man who will steadfastly uphold the privileges of the House, yet in fact and reality we entertain but slender apprehensions of failure in that respect, and it seems that there are qualificathins for the office of Speaker which in modern times stand forward with greater prominence. We ought to choose for that post a man of high character, of accomplished mind, of dignified and commanding exterior, courteous in demeanour, and removed from all party bias, and one who will on all occasions on which reference is made to him decide with equal justice and according to Parliamentary usage. But this is not all. The magnitude of the private business, and the importance of the rules of the House, render it necessary to choose some Member of long Parliamentary experience intimately cognizant with the working of those rules, who would guard them from being unduly relaxed, and yet at the same time of a mind not given to an unreasonable adherence to antiquated practices, but disposed to suggest alterations whenever the growing 'business of the country and experience prove that such alterations may be beneficially adopted. It appears to me that we have a Member in this House who unites in himself those qualifications; and many who hear me and who have observed the Parliamentary career of my honourable friend Mr. John Evelyn Denison, the Member for North Nottinghamshire, will recognize in his character a union of those different qualifications. (Cheers.) Without disparagement to the conflicting claims of other honourable gentlemen, for I am ready to admit that many Members might be found on both sides of the House with qualifications of a high order,—I may be permitted to say, that when a Member during a long Parliamentary career has combined those high moral and intellectual advantages, has at the same time been unconnected with official life, and has devoted his mind to the private business of the House it does appear to me a fitting testimony to render to such a man to elect him gpeaker. Do we want a precedent for such a course ? We find that the brightest example of a Speaker in our time stood in precisely similar circumstances. Mr. Charles Shaw Lefevre was chosen from among the County Members of England. He was out of the sphere of the legal profession or official career; and a more succeessful example of a Speaker could not be found in modern times, or perhaps at any former period. (Cheers.) I have, therefore, the greatest pleasure in proposing that Mr. Evelyn Denison, the Member for .North Nottinghamshire, do take the chair. (theers.) I may in some degree be influenced by private feelings ; but, at the same time, I should not venture to propose my honourable friend to fill the chair if I did not feel convinced that he unites in himself, in a superior degree, the external, moral, and intellectual qualities, which are necessary for the office of Speaker. Having served in former Parliaments with him, I feel convinced that he possesses all the requisites for this important position. He has sat in Parliament for a long series of years as the representative of large constituencies. He was at one time elected a Member for the very important constituency of Liverpool, the second commercial town in the kingdom ; he afterwards represented a county constituency, and subsequently a smaller constituency, which enabled him to devote much of his time to the private business of ihis Rouse; and he now represents a large commercial and agricultural district, which places him in a peculiarly favourable position for understanding the wants both of town and country constituencies. He has also acquired a very intimate knowledge of the mode of conducting the private business of this -House ; and I entertain, therefore, a certain conviction that if the House ratifies the proposition which I am about to make, the experience of the future will prove the wisdom of their choice. I have the greatest pleasure in proposing that Mr. Evelyn Denison, the Member for North Nottinghamshire, be the Speaker of this Rouse." Mr. THORNELY seconded the motion, and bore testimony to the fitness of Mr. Denison. "Mr. Evelyn Denison," he said, "has occupied a seat in this House for nearly thirty years; and, having watched his conduct since I came into Parliament, know that he has given great attention to the forms of procedure of this House; that he has been a member of more Select Committees than almost any other Member of the House, and that he has very frequently indeed presided as chairman. I have the utmost reliance that, with his long experience in the House—with the attention which he has given to the business of the House—he has all the qualifications to make an excellent Speaker. The private business of the House has most enormously increased of late years. The wealth of the country has increased, and its distribution in railroads and other public works has been very great indeed. When I first came into this House, some twenty years ago, private bills were discussed in Committees of some forty or fifty members,, many of whom voted without having heard a word of the evidence. We owe it to Mr. Abercrombie and to Mr. Shaw Lefevre that these private bills have been put in a very different course. We have now a Committee of Selection, which is understood to have a good knowledge of the qualifications of most of the Members. They select a Committee of five Members, who sign a declaration that they will not pass any private bill unless they have given attention to the evidence. In this way, there has been the greatest possible improvement in the mode of getting through the private business of the House; and I am convinced that if Mr. Evelyn Denison be elected he will go on sur..es ting improvements in our procedure. Much may be done by the Speaker, but there is much which must be done by Members ; and though I may be travelling a little out of the ordinary course, I will take the liberty of suggesting, on this very important ocrasion, whether we might not carry into effect a plan which was discussed some time ago for shortening the speeches of our Members? (Laughter and cheers.) I would appeal with great respect to the leading Members on both sides to commence important speeches at five or six o'clock, after the private business is over, rather than wait till ten or eleven o'clock, keeping us here out of our beds. I beg pardon of the House for having mentioned this subject, but it is so important that I would appeal to those Members who have it in their power, to do all they can to shorten the length of speeches."
No other candidate having been proposed, Mr. DENISON, after a pause, speaking from his place, thanked the proposer and seconder for the terms they had used in speaking of him, and the House for the manner in which it had received the motion. When he considered the increasing business of the House, and the importance of maintaining its rights and privileges, and its position in the framework of the constitution, he might well shrink from the responsibilty that must attach to any one having a share in its guidance. "I shall (he continued) beat a disadvantage in being placed in immediate contrast to a right honourable gentleman who filled that chair for many years inn manner which gave universal satisfaction. I shall have the assistance of that distinguished gentleman, as I have had the benefit of his example ; and under his immediate supervision, the rules and proceedings of Parliament have been digested and arranged by a gentleman who now sits at that table [Mr. Erskine May] in a manner which cannot fail to give great assistance to all who shall succeed to that chair. If I rightly interpret the wishes of the House, it would not become me to intrude myself longer upon them with my doubts and hesitations. I shall content myself, therefore, with expressing my high sense of the distinguished honour which it is proposed to confer upon me ; and, falling in with the suggestion of my honourable seconder and curtailing my address within the narrowest limits, I submit myself, with all duty and respect, to the will of this House."
Having been conducted to the chair by the mover and seconder, the SPEAKER elect, standing on the steps of the chair, made his first speech to the House " I beg to be permitted once more, from this chair, to offer my respectful acknowledgments to the House. In carrying on the business of the House, I shall not so much rely upon any powers of control which may be vested in myself; I shall rely rather upon the good feeling and right-mindedness of every gentleman composing this assembly—(Cheers)—upon their spirit of forbearance, and upon their determination to carry the deliberations of the House to a successful and profitable issue. I freely dedicate to the service of the House all the strength that shall be granted me, and all the qualities of my mind ; and I confidently rely on the cordial cooperation of the House and on its generous support in giving effect to its rules and orders, and in performing the various important duties which it has this day imposed upon me." (Cheers.) Lord PALMERSTON IVREI the first to offer his congratulations to the Speaker— The position which you now occupy is one of the highest to which a Commoner of this country can aspire ; and from respect for your character and a knowledge of your eminent 9ualities, I am glad to find that the Howie has made so wise and proper a choice. But, Sir, in congratulating you upon the dignity to which you have been raised, I cannot shut my eyes to, and I am sure that you have not disguised from yourself the difficulties of the arduous position which you have now assumed. You will, however, in the performance of those duties have the assistance of those whom I ROW see at the table, who will afford you advice and counsel in the ease of any difficulties which may arise with respect to the proceedings of this House. You have duties to perform, unconnected with the deliberations of this House, of no less importance to the public service, and the proper discharge of which will no less entitle you to the approbation and gratitude of this House and of the country ; and with regard to the discharge of these duties you have for your guidance the lights of those who have gone before you. Your two immediate predecessors have both ably fulfilled the duties to which I am now referring. Mr. Abereromby, now Lord Dun.
erm e, who filled that chair too short a time for the public good, having
unfortunately been early compelled by ill-health to retire—Mr. Abereromby devoted his able and comprehensive mind to the improvement of our proceedings, which in his time so much required amendment. The memory of his good services exists in the minds of all those who are at all acquainted with our Parliamentary arrangements ; and his name will long occupy a place in the list of those who have filled that chair, as one of the most eminent and the most entitled to the gratitude of the country. (Cheers.) The Speaker who succeeded Mr. Abercromby, more fortunate in the duration of his tenure of office, was able to accomplish greater things; and I trust, Mr. Speaker, that you, in the performance of your duties, may equal the merits of Mr. Lefevre—it would be flattery to tell any man living that it was possible for him to surpass them. (Cheers.) I think I am not unduly assuming to be the organ of this House when I assure you, Sir, that in the performance of your duties, whether in the course of our debates or beyond the deliberations of this House, you will be supported by the full confidence and cooperation of all its Members--(Cheers)—and that it will be remembered that your position is one of peculiar difficulty, on account of the circumstances of the moment at which you have mounted that chair. While you are yourself a new Speaker, there are a great number of the Members of this Parliament who are new to these walls; and consequently, the task which you have to fulfil miry be more difficult than was that of some of those who have preceded you, at the same time, I am confident that, while on the one hand you will show yourself to be possessed of all the high qualities which are essential, to the performance of your duties, on the other the Members of this House will give you that full confidence and support without which no Speaker would be able to discharge the duties of his office." (Cheers.) Mr. 'WALPOLE, regretting the unintentional absonee of Mr. Disraeli,. took upon himself to do what he was sure Mr. Disraeli would have done —join his congratulations to those of Lord Palmerston. Every Member on the Opposition side of the Howe, he assured the Speaker, will heartily join with him in maintaining the dignity and authority of the chair, and render every possible assistance in the public and private business of the House. "We shall be happy," he added, "to find that you equal, although, as 'the noble lord has said, you cannot surpass, the admirable conduct which marked the career of your predecessor.'
On the motion of Lord Paemenseox, the House adjourned.
Both Houses sat again yesterday for short periods. In the House of Lords, Mr. EVELYN DENISON presented himself at the bar, and informed. the Lords Commissioners that the faithful Commons had chosen him as their Speaker ; and to state that ho submitted himself for her Majesty's. approbation. The LORD CHANCELLOR signified the approval of her Majesty. The SPEAKER then claimed, in the usual manner, the rights and privileges of the Commons. This claim was readily granted ; and the Speaker retired.
Among the Peers sworn in yesterday, was Viscount Eversley, the late Speaker; who was introduced by Lord Combermore and Lord Torrington with the accustomed ceremonies.
In the House of Commons, the Members assembled before two o'clock,. the hour appointed. Among them was Mr. Disraeli ; who is said to have been greatly benefited in health by his sojourn in the country. When. the Speaker returned from the House of -Lords, he duly informed the ^ House, that her Majesty had approved and confirmed their choice ; and then reminded them that their next duty was to take the oaths and subscribe the roll of Parliament. The Speaker himself was the first to take the oaths. Upwards of a hundred Members were sworn before the House adjourned at half-past four.
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