vy "What is it you want"--said the soft 22 PAGES YEAR 84. NO, 221 -- "A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST'; 'oii COL H. R. SMITHS REMINISCENCES So sininy The Late Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Com- mons Tells of Incidents That Happened Dur- ing More Than Half a Century of His Public Service. * The following reminiscences by the late Colonel Henry R. Smith will be read with increased interest by many old friends, now that this kindly old public servant of Canada has passed rWay. Here is what the Colonel wrote several years ago: I entered the parliamentary service of old Canada on the first day of May, 1859, the seat of Government being, at that date, in the city of Toronto. The Government then in power had assumed office on the 6th of August, in the previous year. There was a Legislative Council of 54 members, of whom 24 were elec- tive; twelve of these came from each of the two provinces, Upper and Low- er Canada. The Legislative Assem- bly consisted of 130 members, and my father was Speaker of what was then as now, termed the Lower House What struck me forcibly was the presented to His | 611 looked very well fitting me a cigar, t year. It was pleasant to ants of such fine offices, greatly struck by the of the city as well as 1orality ¢ were very busy making I, and there were awiul how wicked citizens used to other, and quietly drop the ver the cliff behind the Par- Buildings. No doubt "these exaggerated. but there cer- en religious quarrels, ver hearing a most dis- rist regret that, having a t at a famous statesman, he ed getting him by the unto- accident of a bad percussion proce us deliberation ter of acrobat my mother came express a fervent wi die. This was my first tor nr In the days there were ho that the bitterest from questions of remind one of hat Irish n Catholic priest who, viewing k engaged in a physical dis- me lc on parish matters, remarked: 'Just lc ook at the darlins' down there bating each other for the love of 1" God. st smoke it not strange Is emanate and Quebec was tion in the rison cons 17th Reg the 4 , 60th Rifles, and four comps 5s of the wo Bat- letach- speak type writers or t phones, and I have to this day a ter inkstand which was given when [I joined the service in 1839, ; quaint old memento ghich has stood ment of'R lack T. half Purlias on my desk for more than half : tury? Tih of | ith th | Tn 1861, Sir Ex Albert | Eng land, ing the c¢ 3 On the Royal Hi bec nas the 21st the lature pre pressive ment to the he Priv ed with the owe olf an Speak 2 cen -- Reminiscences of McGee. About this time I - met Thomas McGee and greatly admired quence and genuine Irish hu- I'here were none so bright and in the House at that time, and s were always well filled when it vas known hé was going to speak. i 2 well remember a certain evening mother Vi collection of doing du : when, in his usual original style, he had been 3 sentry be near ttacked the then acting leader of the erring use, Sir George E. ( artier: "Sup- Qi Sir," said he, "any honorable an an, who w T ord Mo General I the | at Ott exX- vest at that time a priva ers, + general good style and old fashioned courtesy of both Houses, as well as the excellent tone of debate, and the almost total absence of personal ref erences, 'hese legislators of long ago were men of good breeding and polite manners, and during the years that have pass ed | have often felt that, when any politician aigied at becom- ing a statesman, he could not begin better than by being a gentleman At the modest cost of $28 a month 1 found comfortable quarters at El. lah's Private Hotel, situatéd on the corner of Front and Bay streets, where my father was living with Alex- ander Campbell (afterwards Sir Alex- ander), a member of the Legislative Council, John Ross, President of the Council in the then Government, and several other gentlemén mostly mem- bers of either House. A Woman Masqyerades. Among those I met at this most pleasant hotel was a doctor, Serving in the; Royal Engineers, with the rela- tive rank of M3 ajor. Of our large cir- cle, this officer was the only one who, later, turned out not to be a gentle- man, though possessing much the same style and bearing as the rest of our party. Wearing two war medals and several clasps for active service, with the reputation of having shown great 'hravery and-of ~having been a cool principal in a duel when the op- ponent had been wounded. the as- tounding fact was revealed by death, a few years later, that this medical officer had heen a woman. Very pa- thetic seemed the story of this lonely lady, who, in some mysterious way, had nved more than a dozen years wearing the uniform of Her Majesty's Army; and, amidst stirring scenes and much activity, had concealed the se cret of hier sex, One of my earliest experiences was a ball at Government House, then oc- cupied by His Excellency Sir Edmund Head, who, in 1854, had been appoint- ed Governor-General of Canada. Time has somewhat dimmed my memory,.but this was my first ball, and I can recall: many 'of its scenes; among these, comes the charming vis- ion ot a' lithe and graceful partner, whom 1 secured for an early waltz. She was a French-Canadian lady, and as energetic as she was fair to see. "I'he Dawn of Love" was the name of the waltz; the lady has faded from my mind, but [ pray she may be now su grandmother with feminine festen. agits as beautiful as she was th fit strains of the exquisite mus rose and féil, and my partner seemed to be floaing while | remained but a dull clod of earth cursed with heavy, all-pervading feet--"1 want"--I1 said, eagerly -- and paused breathless. ie voice close to my ear, "I wait to stop"--1 gasped sadly--and a welcome pause enabled me to explain that | was wearing a most adhesive pair of rather countrified India rubbers. Later, at supper, I tasted for the first time a famous vintage of champagne, quot," the product of a vineyard own ed by a lady of that name, and only familiar as a beverage to the crowned heads of Europe. My father had told me not to drink more than two glasses, and 1 remember that I was careful to obey him. The wine of Madame Clicquot and' your humble servant' have been strangers ever since. - The Other McNah, Among the notable men of that day was Sir Allan cNab, a typical Scotch gentleman and a Baronet, who, afterwards, became Speaker of the Legislative Council and continued in office until his lamented death, a few years later. As though it were but yesterday, | can see his broad breast covered with a bright red tartan. Onde, IT happened to follow in his wake 'at some social function where each guest was ammounced at the drawing-room door. He was accom- panied by his brother, the Chief of the Clan McNab, who went first. When the servant asked his name, the | tall Scotchman drew himself up and answered impressively: "The Mac Nab." "And yours, sit"--said the man in livery to.Sir Allan, who. with a twinkle in his eye, responded: "The other MacNab." A few months later, we were order- ed to Quebec Land the first session Sfiched there on the 28th of February, Ottawa had been determined upon as the future seat of Govern- ment for Confederated Canada, and 'about this time the Public Works De- partment undertook the consjruction "of the id buildings which are now occupied on the hill, to which amd 1 Jearned that its name was ""C vod Knighthe Nar Belleau and my honor. . re mber had a friend in town whom ceived thi he wished to entertain, do you think, Sir, for moment, that he would bring him here to this. House to show him the Ship of State drifting help- lessly 'ang hopelessly along with such . Corp father, ¥ At First Parliament. reached Ottawa early 1867, and the first P rliament assembled on | Presented to Prince of Wales. l, There was a the | the dinner party in ember A A A AeA At APA tt A tt A SAA, Pt tt ttt Permission of the Deputy and ought to be most cordially supported by the citizens and council. be Baily British Whig KINGSTON, ONTARIO, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 =. 1917 as that at the prow? Id take him anywhere +f there happened to that night." recall re-head Sir, he wg else--to a fir be one rather festive Private Hotel, h was situated on the corner ot Sparks and Bank streets, where a number of us lived .and enjoyed our- as young men are apt to de There were cool drinks and 'tobacco, ana some revelry, when we heard a step on the stairs, and a moment af- ter, Mr. McGee appeared: "Gentle- men," said he, in his rich Irish voice, "1 happened to be passing on the op- posite side of the street, and 1 saw the house with its cold stone walls and closed doors, and a warning voice whispered to me as I lingered: 'Tho- mas, you ought to home." but I looked again, and heard the clink of glasses and the sound of merry laugh- ter, and another, and a stronger voice said: 'D'Arcy, you'd better go in'-- and here 1 am." His welcome was warm and the: fun went on with added zest Presently, a young Civil Servant, who was un- der the impression he could recite, attempted "The Bridge of Sighs"; Mr McGee was all attention, and those who sat near him saw that he was apparently moved by deep emo- tion His handkerchief was in his hand, and we, who were close to him heard him murmur: "Poor girl--pobr girl--she's murdered again." Months later | walked home with him to his rooms on Sparks street, which were not far from my own The night was a remarkable one, for it was the fourth of April, 1868, and later I learned that we were dogged to his door by those who, on the fol- g shot and killed him. alone, having parted at the adjacent selves. go he some was friends from Minister. PAGES 19-22 corner of Sparks and Metcalfe streets. And so, twenty-four hours later, he died a martyr to free speech and the countrv he served so well. At Whalen"s Execution. It fell to my lot in due time to be present at the execution of Whalen. who was convicted of this murder, and I can recall that the jail yard was lined with troops, and that each man carried a proper supply of ball cart- ridge, but the scene was quiet and solemn, ahd no excitement marred the last stern enforcement of the majesty of the law. Early in 1872, 1 became Acting Ser- geant-at-Arms of the House of Com. mons, and of those whom I then saw in the Chamber, but one remains there to-day, in the person of the Hon. John Haggars, who is now the senior member of the House. Parliament i session an inter- esting study, but above all, it-is full of esprit de corps. Members have certain rights and privileges, and woe betide tlie man who attempts to cur: tai! or interfere with them. Lib- eral will fight for a Conservative, or vice versa, if any member is attacked or unjustly treated, outside the line of politics. The Speaker thus generally receives the greatest deference and respect, and his rulings are rarely questioned or disputed 18 -- The Mace. There is, too, one inafiimate object in the House which must always awaken historic memories. and which is found in almost all legislative bodies: I mean the mace, which is the emblem of the power and authority of parliament History records that, in the Commons at Westminster House of there Moors Streets and Improvements Views of Streets in Various Cities, Published in the Report of the Department of Pub- lic Highways, Ontario, and Reproduced in the Whig by ind Pictures which will confirm the desires of those who want the plans and specifications of the City Engineer with re- gard to University Avenue carried out in their entirety. Mr. McClelland is clearly abreast of the times in this matter oe x 2 4, os ie "pay; Pay BS nes TAN sad & We BARNSDALE BOULEVARD, HAMILTON. Sheet asphalt surface on. a d-inch concrete foundation laid (in 1914, The park space is 10 feet wide between 18- foot roadways and the grass spaces adjacent to the curbs are 5 feet wide. The sidewalks wre 6 feet wide. | WILSON AVENUE, ST. THOMAS. 2 Two concrete pavements 18 feet wide and 7 inches thick, *alowance is 20 feet wide, curbs are 13 feet, wide. laid in 1913, The track The sidewslks are 5 feet wide and the grass spaces next the The width between property lines !'s 100 feet. Bitulithic surfa many additions have since been made. ~side- walks are § a mid in 1912 Te 3 feet wide. t ' Sheet asphalt surface 35 feet wide on a §-inech sidewalks are 6 feet wide and the grass spaces adj Tar Filled Macadam surface 26 feet + The sidewalks are § feet wide and the g (mia 1 Waigrtouna mecsden sidewalks are n feet wide. ST. GEORGE STREET, TORONTO. res nerete fou ndation, laid in 1904. The Tent to the curbs 7 feet wide. Xi BRANT ROAD, GALT. oe FARK AVENOR, QUBLIN Ft. aAPblichtion of cold tar, 22 feet wide, Tl wie dnd urface de on a broken stone foundation. laid in 1911, s Spaces next the curbs are ? feet wide. be grass spaces next the curbs are 7 FOURTH SECTION 'have béen but three maces: the first one disappeared when Charles the First lost hus life on the scaffold, and its ultimate fate remaips a mystery. Later C -omwell ordered ancther mace to be made, and it is remarkable that some years alter, he scornfully refer- red to this same mace as "The Bau- ble," desiring it to be removed from the table Juiing that eventful session of 1635, when the great Protector dis- missed the Parliament; this 'so-called "Bauble" also disappeared. ¢ third mace, which is now in use, has no late nor. mscription, beyoud the initials "C. R." It first appéared in the House on the Restoration of Charles the Second, in 1660. | cannot trace the mace of the Commons of Canada further back tha 1841, the date of the union of Uppe and Lower Canada, and there is good reason to believe that it was manu juctured at that time, the cost being $1,5(( Through all its shining years, the Canadian mace has remained intact and unsullied, and has had but two surprises, one being at Montreal in 1849, when the mob burned the Par- liament buildings, 'and carried it to Sir Allan MacNab's rooms, in the Donégana Hdtel, The second sufr- prise was in 1905, when Speaker Suth- erland gave orders to have 'the time- honored initials "V. R." removed, and those of the reigning sovereign: sub- stituted. The date," said the then Speaker, "should be changed," and this order was also given. The idea was quaint and original, but was not seriously regarded, and, happily, no change was made, » The prayers of Parliament are al. ways uttered with closed doors and proper solemnity and alternaely in rrench and English. 1 remember an English Speaker who, perhaps prematurely, acd to Heaven in the former tongue, and the witty comment of Alonzo Wright, M.P., who expressed a hope that God understood what was being said, as he felt sure no one on earth ever would. Cabinet of Antiques. Mr. Davin was. in his way, a source of great amusement to the House, and held a high place as a humorous and original speaker He, like D'Arcy McGee, was often most en- tergaining, and his Irish wit and quick repartee never failed, him. can recall a very pointed: attack. which he made on a certain' goyernment which had incurred his Jem Patary, dis- pleasure. "What is it," said he, * "Mr. Speaker, that 1 see betore hy a Gov- ernment, it is true, but one which delegates its powers to Deputy Min- isers who rule it. Sir, I. cannot fill these empty skulls with brains; men style them a Cabinet, but to my mind, Sir, they are only a Cabinet of An- tiques remember two scenes in the Eng- lish House of 'Commons, in which Irish members figured; on both ocea- sions ex the most' bri earth. member h been addressing the House at tiresome length, and be- came annoyed at frequent interrup- tions. "Sir," said he, "I regret to call attention to the unseemly noises which appear to be coming from both sides of the House: and I wish to tell honorable gentlemen, here and' ndw, that 1 am not addressing ¢ them, ies 1 am speaking to posterity" ".An then there came from far back vih hp Chamber a thin Trish 'vbice, whic said: "They'll be listenin' to you soon, if you go on." The other is an allusion tothe sup- nk chardétet of ot land ow ers in Irelang "Mr, " said this orator, "such is rg atity 'of the Irish landlord that, if placed alone upon a desert islands his frst "det wold be the despoiling of the Packets of the naked savages. Specimens of Robust English. Here, too, we have some specimens of robust jr lish from me rs of our own House. Away back in the seventies - John Hill Cameron, an able and distinguished lawyer, spedk- ing in defence of Sir John Macdonald during a fierce debate when litical feeling ran oe eylagized his chief with 'warns eloquence' Visip said he, "I do not believe in these. cries of corruption which come. so glibly from honorable gentlemen, and I do believe thats for rig dollar we nosed graspi spent, the opposite two dollars; and; when Shorable about their purity, 1 believe them, for my experience aol is most virfuous ly says | vy about it. Sir, we were boys t r, stood here at his back, a humble but, I trust, a useful Howes: and in all these years, whatéve tendency to bring side of the clear prominence, that he is here be fore you to-day, a a be man and Alexander Mackenzie "as fio," less warm in his fervent Scotch: earnest- ery which seems to have been with us ever since. "Sir," later such a b! opposite side of Tc: and jn. than quote the wortly of a great En statesman. w Nov r. myself second to no to oly om io et 1 Huo vant, | her maid servant ass.' tened to those voices--now forever silent--but very tones tl ti up EE emigre a ? Tt life has taught me that the man who and from that day to this day, anay have said about my right Honora eas wnon this side, this fact a oo pure man. ness in regard to thé loyalty he Ietored occasion, "I am sick cries of disloyalty wi from the to them, r cannot do sim taunted, replied: EL should also be Joyal Many years have passed since I lis- are still fresh in me