Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 38, Number 276, 27 September 1913 — Page 45

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM. SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 1913

PAGE THREH

mm

ALL AGOG

OVER INSTALLATION

Introduction of Lord Mayor r Tmposing Ceremonial Event.

THE JOB IS EXPENSIVE

Incumbent Chosen From Al-

dermen Without a Contest.

LONDON, Sept. 27. With the exception of the coronation of the King, tJreat Oritian has no more imposing ceremony than the election and installation of a Lord Mayor of the City f London. Consequently every Londoner is anxiously awaiting the election of the new Lord Mayor, on Monflay, to succeed Sir David Burnett, the present Incumbent. Despite the fact that the Lord Mayr is "elected" there is never any -floubt as to who will be the next Chief Magistrate. Following the custom of years, the Lord Mayor will be chosen Xrom the members of the Board of Aldermen, and it is always the senior Alderman, who must have served as Sheriff of London, who is elected. Sir Vansittart Bowater, a wealthy paper manufacturer will be the next

Lord Mayor. In order to be Lord Mayor one has to be extremely wealthy, for the chief duty of the office is that of entertaining, consuming must roast beef at Imposing official banquets, and wearing gorgeous robes of office with becoming dignity. If fthe Lord Mayor had a sense of humor but apparently no Lord Mayor ever had, for , they all managed pretty well to survive occupancy of the office. Costly Job. Outside an American ambassadorship to a European capital, there probably is no quicker way of spending money than to the Lord Mayor of London. To be sure, the incumbent of that office receives a salary of $50,000 ft year, but this is a mere drop of the bucket compared to what he must spend. If he hasn't a large fortune her might as well not become chief magistrate, for the government only spends about $100,000 a year to maintain the dignity of the office. The occupant of it must spend not only his salary, but about $100,000 additional. He must simply! Why! Because every Lord Mayor of the past has done it. Odd, isn't it? Custom, y'know, old top. It has er er always been done, y'know. Which is quite sufficient for an Englishman. The Lord Mayor, who is always elf-ted on Michaelmas Day, September 2Dth, takes office on November 9th, following, and that is the occasion for anoMior imposing ceremony. After that Vt life is just one imposing ceremony another. The Lord Mayor's authority extends further than the borders of the one ' ro mile of the Corporation of LonJ i. which has a resident population -niy about 26,000. In the day time small area probably holds about

1 000,000 people and it is in many ways the center of Great Britain. JVithin this territory the Lord Mayor is supreme. Should the King or Queen visit the Lord Mayor's "square mile" they should have to obtain permission from him before entering. Vord would be conveyed to the Chief Ma!strate that his Majesty was about to visit, and the Lord Mayor would grset his Majesty at the border line and preBent him with the key to the gate. There is no gate, but a trifle like that doesn't interfere with the ceremony, because you see, in theages of the past there really were some gates. Heads Police Force. , British troops cannot enter the square mile without permission of the corporation. The Lord Mayor is the bead of a police force which has no connection with any other police force In London or Great Britain. Even the Home office has no control over it. In order to become a Lord Mayor, ,one must first become an Alderman. You have to get the ratepayers to elect you to that office of honor. Then (you have to become a sheriff. That is Arhere you get through with the ratepayers. They can't do anything more fofr you, having already elected you an Alderman for life. You now turn ,your attention to the Liverymen, or Freemen-Liverymen, who elect two sheriffs every year. The principal occupation of a Sheriff of London Is upholding the dignity of the law with the ld of many magnificent robes and Chains of office, and much insignia. While much of the time of a sheriff ;1s spent upholding the dignity of the .'law and taking part in official banquets, he manages somehow to find 'leisure in which to study the Lord 'Mayor, for some day one of the sheriffs, or both, will become Lord Mayor. 'Kot at the same time, of course. Like everything British, there Is ,tnuch solemnity attached to the election of a Lord Mayor. Also there is (much rigamarole; many colored robes, chains and things pleasing to the eye. .An American studying the office jxnight be justified in coming to the conclusion that the principal qualifications for it are a thorough knowledge of "form" the peerage and baronatage, an excellent appetite and good digestion, plenty of money, an Amiable disposition and an imposing ;flgure on which to drape the robes of office. Method of Election. A week before the election of a jlord Mayor a summons is sent to the (Masters and Wardens of the City jGuilds, commanding them to assemible the Liverymen at the Quildhall on

Michaelmas Day. The Civic Sword summons the Lord Mayor, the Alderman and the Sheriffs. On the great day they are all as

sembled in the Guild Hall, with all iof the city insignia, mace, sword, robes of scarlet and costly furs. It is comparatively safe to wear furs in London in September. It is always pretty sure to be at least chilly, or, if not that, tolerably damp. What would first strike an American as funny would be the sight of the Ctty Recorder and the City Remembrancer each carrying in his hand a little bunch of flowers. This, like most of the ceremony, was inherited from the dark ages. It appears that "when knighthood was in flower" the Guildhall had no sewerage system, and consequently was permeated by an atmosphere not wholly pleasing even to the senses of a Britisher of .that period. Because of that it became the duty of those two officials to fjring flowers with the Idea of over-

VANDERBILT CITED BEFORE TRAIN BOARD

life- t I zmw w Hi

FOREST FIRE LOSS DIMINISHED ANNUALLY Fire Prevention Squads of Uncle Sam Conduct an Active Fight.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 With the middle of September the fire season on the national forests has come practically to an end with less damage than ever recorded. There is always some danger from carelessness of campers or of settlers burning brush and clearing land, but the real danger season extends only from the middle of June until the middle of September. Forest officers throughout the west are congratulating themselves on a season so markedly free from heavy losses. They feel that the immunity from loss has been due to two principal causes, partly to a favorable season, but largely to a much better organization for fire prevention than has been attained heretofore. The effectiveness of the organization is shown particularly by the fact that while there were in all approximately 2,260 fires, as against 2,470 last year, yet the

area burned so far this year is only about 0,000 acres as against 230,000 acres in 1912. and 780,000 in 1811. A single administrative district, which covers the intennountain region of southern Idaho, western- Wyoming, Utah- Nevada, and Western Arizona, gives an example of the most favorable situation. Only 43 fires were encountered, 29 of which originated in Idaho. The total area burned over amounted to only 956 acres, which is considerably less than four one-hundred-thousandths of the total area patrolled by forest officers in these states. California, Arizona and New Mexico have suffered most during the past season. The various causes of fires have not changed greatly in their relative proportions. Railroads and lightning head the list, with campers next. There has been, however, a marked decrease in the number of fires caused by burning brush, which, according to the forest officers, indicates a closer co-operation with the settlers in and near the forests and with timberland owners in fire prevention and control. It is still true, nevertheless, that a large proportion of all fires started are due to human agencies and may generally be charged against carelessness. Fires caused by lightning are

j of course not preventable, but the

system of lookouts by which they may be detected immediately after being set is greatly lessening the loss from this source.

FORBES-ROBERTSON SEES FILM SHOW.

LONDON, Sept. 27. Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson today saw himself as others see him. At the New Gallery Kinema in Regent Street, England's greatest Shakespearean actor watched with lively Interest the first film performance of "Hamlet which he. his wife Gertrude Elliott and a full company recently produced before the camera. "It was an unique experience to play for the 'movies,' said Sir Johnston. "Imagine acting before an audience with no ears and only one eye. I found it required especial adaptability, as there is no stimulation of applause between actor and audience that is inexplicable, but to many players necessary for the highest development of their powers. To a nervous, highly strung temperment it would probably be impossible. "From an educational point of view the possibilities of the cinema are enormous, but when I approach the subject from a dramatic or stage view idea I am, beset with two minds; first, will cinema do the theatre harm, or will it in the end do the drama good? It is possible that film plays may at present take away a certain proportion of the usual audience of suburban and provincial theatres; but, I think that ultimately, if the proper plays are produced by men who really know their work, the general theatre-going

public will be increased, and the greater demand for good healthy drama will be stimulated. "Taking in consideration that a large portion of the patrons of cinemas are children, it is a good thing for them to see a good play produced on the screen. Surely a Shakespearean play Is a better educational feature than a cow-boy drama.

Reading His Fortun. A negro, having won a dollar at a crap game, decided to spend It on h.iTing his fortune told. The fortune teller led him into a gloomy room with dirty hangings and misty red lights. She took his palm, traced it with a dollar, spread out her cards and then aid: "Too are very fond of music: you like chicken: yon have won money at craps, and you have been in Jail." The negro looked at her with bulging eyes and finally ejaculated: "Mali goodness, lady why. yo Jest read man inmost thoughts!' Exchange. Two Storid. Elmer, aged six. accompanied hla father to the circus one afternoon. Among the many stranje and lewtldering things be saw was one man standing ou ibe shoulders of another. "Look, paps T he exclaimed. "There's a two story ninn!" Cuiengo News.

OLD ENGLISH JURIES.' They Wr Find or Beaten Fee Net Reaching a. Verdict. Kot always enviable was the lot et the old time Juryman, for there was always the prospect of trouble if the verdict did not tratlf j the higher powers. Thus the failure of a Jury to convict Sir Nicholas Throckmorton mads Queen Mary ""ill for three days." and she came oat of her sick chamber to fine the disobliging Jury (meanwhile confined in prison) the sum of $10,000 a bead. Elizabeth followed the same plan, and the practice of fining English Juries did not cease until 1670. when a tine inflicted by the notorious Jeffreys was rescinded on appealIn some old time "courts of quarter sessions" the Injunction to lay their beads together had to be carried out by Jurymen In literal fashion. When they began to consider the verdict they were uiiosed to dive beneath the level of tbe jury box and remain la that cramped position until a derUioa was reached. Meanwhile the court usher stood near the box armed with a long wand of willow. If any juryman ventured, to emerge above the surface before the twelve minds were agreed down ca me the wand on the bead of the c (Tender. Chicago News.

W. K. Vanderbilt, whose holdings of $10,000,000 stock in eastern railroads, was cited before the board of arbitration by Dr. Frank Warne, stat-

; istician for the Brotherhood of Rail- ! way Training, in asserting that the ! controversy really involved only six j big system instead of fifty-four railroads.

coming the odors. While the Guildhall now has a complete drainage system, the flowers are still a part of the j ceremony. Since there really is no ! practical use for the flowers, the City ! Recorder and the City Remembrancer ! have reduced the quantity of the i flowers to a minimum, and carry only small bouquets. ; When all is ready this wonderful I outfit of scarlet and gold, power and , dignity, marches out of the Guildhall ' to the nearby church of St. Lawrence Jewry, which has been honored thus , every year since it was built after the "great Are. Once the service Is over, the Sword Bearer invited the rector to dine after the election. This is an important part of the ceremony. Ever since London has been electing Lord Mayors, the Sword Bearer has invited the rector ! to dine. If the Sword Bearer didn't just use the proper words, if he became confused and invited the rector

to have a drink instead of to dine, the government of Great Britain would be shaken to its foundatons. Crier Gets Busy. Forming in line in the order of rank the brilliant procession marches back to the Guildhall, all persons who are not Liverymen are ordered off the premises and then the Common Crier delivers himself as follows: "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! "Ye good men of the Livery of the several companies of city, summoned to appear here this day for the election of a fit and able person to be Lord Mayor of this city for the ensuing year, draw near and give your attention. "God save the King!" Great care is taken to see that the Liverymen are not influenced in any way. (Everyone knows who is going to be elected, but it makes it more interesting to act as if you didn't.) The City Reporter announces that the Aldermen are voting, so that their presence may not influence the Liverymen. The Liverymen vote for two Aldermen who have been members of the Board longest, and then the result of their grave deliberation is taken by the two sheriffs, the Common Sergeant and the Common Crier to the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen in an adjoining room. After the solemn announcement has been made, the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen choose the senior of the two candidates, and the deefated man is serene in the knowledge that he will be chosen next year. Thanks Liverymen. Having selected their victim, the Alderman and the Lord Mayor file back to the Common Hall, where everyone concerned and the Lord Mayorelect thank the Liveryman; the chain of office is placed about the neck of the Right Honorable the Lord MayorElect, and he with the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor embark in the wonderfully gilded, wonderfully ancient and wonderfully uncomfortable state coach which is the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor's Elect first ride In that remarkable vehicle. On arrival at the Mansion House, the official rector gets the dinner he was so solemnly promised by the Sword Bearer. You'd suppose that having invited the rector to dine that the Sword Bearer would give the dinner in his ow n house. But he doesn't. He holds it in the home of the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor, and probably the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor has to pay for it, too. That ends the election of the -Lord Mayor, but he has more trouble in store for him, most of which falls about November 9th, when he is inducted into office with even a more remarkable ceremony than that which took place at his election.

The Very Idear. He I know of a bright idea. SheWhat is it? He Your eye, dear. St. Lesis Poat-Dispasob.

m

MLL K1D1HIT

10 pp

03

The most enjoyable meal and satisfactory too, is served here. Ever try one? Those who haven't miss much that is good. Home cooking is excellent, because we have experienced cooks trained in producing palate tickling dishes. Popular prices.

FALL FESTIVAL VISITORS

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Regular Meals 25c Lunch 15c BEST SERVICE. SANITARY SURROUNDINGS VARIETY OF DISHES TO SELECT FROM

MOLL

14 South Eighth Street

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Have you some serious thought of recent date to the matter of buying a Piano for your home? Conditions may be such as to justify you in doing so. Have you children in the home? If so, you should take this means in making them feel an interest in their home life. You should use this means in your efforts to make their home so pleasant that they would prefer to be there than elsewhere. It may do much toward molding the future of the ones for whom you live.

If you are ready to fulfill this obligation, we are prepared to serve you with a line of high grade instruments which will be a credit to your home, a satisfaction to yourself and a pleasure to your friends. If you are fond of music and have no one in the home to entertain you with the plain piano, let us furnish you with one of our Players. You will then be in readiness to entertain yourselves or your company. You can then have all the pleasures that music brings to the home.

We carry one of the largest stocks of Player Rolls to be found in the city, including the old standard pieces that are enjoyed by everyone, as well as the up-to-date productions by the noted musicians.

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SFIECDH AILr SALE KF KT57-

We will make a special sale of 65 note Music, beginning October l , and lasting just one week, at which you can get a splendid selection for less than one-third of the actual cost.

413-415 Main Street

Richmondf Indiana