JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 29 
session without taking the oath. No penalty was imposed, 
but his name was removed from the division lists in which he 
had voted, and this led to the adoption of the British custom. 
Last session the member for Labelle, Que., who resigned his 
seat and was re-elected during recess found himself in much 
the same difficulty as Dr. Kenealey, as the House did not 
sympathize with his views respecting sending out the South 
African contingent. Finally Mr. ‘Tarte, taking pity on a 
brother French member, although repudiating his opinions, 
offered to introduce him with Mr. Monet, and Mr. Bourassa 
took his seat with the usual formalities. 
But hark to the three knocks at the chamber door. ‘The 
sergeant-at-arms with his sword goes to see what’s the trouble. 
He returns grave and solemn to announce to the Speaker, “‘A 
messenger from the Senate is waiting at the door.’’ With no 
less gravity the Speaker answers, ‘‘ Admit the messenger.”’ 
The messenger enters. It is the Usher of the Black Rod, the 
chief officer of the Senate, who comes to announce that His 
Excellency desires the presence of the Commons in the Senate 
Chamber. Before opening his mouth he advances nine steps, 
making three profound bows as he proceeds, announces his 
message first in English then in French, backs out with the 
same number of bows, if possible more profound, wheels and 
disappears invariably accompanied by a formidable clapping of 
hands from all parts of the chamber. The House never fails 
to enjoy the exercise and seems to think it is worth the money 
it costs. The members rush in a troop to the Senate Chamber, 
but not in anxiety to hear the speech from the throne. ‘That 
duty pertains to the Speaker, who discharges it most relig- 
iously. 
Suppose it is after the general elections and the House 
has no Speaker. In that case His Excellency causes it to be 
intimated to them ‘‘ that he does not deem it advisable to make 
known his reasons for summoning Parliament until the Com- 
mons have elected a Speaker,’’ which the Commons return to 
their Chamber and proceed todo. After the Speaker is elected 
and has made his acknowledgments to the House, the mace is 
