HOUSE OF COMMONS. A PUZZLE EXPLAINED.

Evening Post, Issue 79, 11 May 1865, Page 3

HOUSE OF COMMONS. A PUZZLE EXPLAINED.

Most of the strangers in the gallery, must have been sadly puzzled by what they saw immediately after Lord Palmerston had finished his speech. Mr. Speaker rose, muttered something, and then sidled out of his chair. Lord Palmerston then got up and moved that Mr. Dodson, do take the chair. Whereupon Mr. Dodson, who stood in readiness close by Lord Palmerston, promptly glided into a chair at the back of the table, the Liberal members cheering him loudly. Mr. Dodson then immediately rose, said something which, being smothered by the cheering, was quite inaudible in the gallery, and immediately glided out of his seat, and Mr 1 Speaker sidled back into his. Then the Chancellor of the Exchequer rose and muttered something; and again Mr. Speaker vacated hi 9 seat, and Mr. Dodson resumed his, and Mr. Gladstone began to make a speech, and then most of the members left the House. Here, then, was a curious pantomimic performance. What could it all mean? To strangers, ignorant of the House, it seemed as if Lord Palraerston, and Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Dodson were playing at bo-peep, or hide-and-seek, or were rushing about to keep themselves warm that cold night, and that the House was cheering them on. But, in truth, the House was transacting a very important piece of business — was electing a member to a very important office, with onerous duties and a handsome salary thereto attached. When Lord Palmerston sat down, Mr. Speaker rose and put the question before the House — to wit, " That I do now leave the chair" (in order that the House do resolve itself into Committee of Supply); and, having declared that the motion was carried, he left the chair, and the House was then in committee. But Mr. Massey having resigned, the committee had no chairman, and the time had come when one must be elected. Lord Palmerston then rose and proposed that Mr. Dodson do take the chair. This motion required no seconder, and did not need to be formally put ; and, as there was no opposition, Mr. Dodson took the chair, and became ipso facto, ." the chairman of committee of the whole House" during thisJParliament. If anyone had objected to the appointment of Mr. Dodson, and proposed somebody else, Mr. Speaker would have returned to his seat, and the election would have been decided, as all other questions are, by a division. Mr. Dodson is, therefore, now the permanent chairman of the committee of the whole House, with a salary of £1500 a-year. WHAT IS A CHAIRMAN OP COMMITTEES ? The duties of this office are most onerous. The chairman of committees is the hardest worked officer of the House. He can scarcely ever leave the House safely

whilst it is in session. When the House sits in the morning, he is sure to be wanted ; and often he may be seen sitting in his chair far into the small hours. He has often to take the chair soon aiter twelve at noon, continue in it till four; again take ] it soon after six, stop there till past twelve; resume it again before one, and not finally leave it till daylight peeps through the windows. Moreover, he has other, and perhaps more difficult duties to perform behind the scenes. All those 595 piivate bills about to be introduced, must be examined by him. He is also chairman of the referees, a new tribunal, the duties of which we need not stop to describe. And, lastly, if Mr. Speaker's health should fail, the chairman of committees must act as Deputy Speaker. Verily, then, Mr. Dodson has no sinecure.

An interesting discovery has just been made in a tumulus at Ekaterinoslaw, in Russia. It consists of a treasure which formerly belonged to a chief of the Huns. Among the different articles is a heavy gold diadem, in which is set a cameo of amethyst o£ ancient Roman workmanship, also a large collar, bracelets, and drinking cups, with handles formed by animals, the whole of which are in gold of remarkable workmanship.