Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/273

 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 247 w I Hon. Sir Jenkin Coles, K.C.M.G., M.R speaker of the House of /Issenibly HEN th(! political pulse beats high amid the combats of the; legislative arena, and when the House rocks and sways under the pitch of party emotion, the Speaker — the guardian deity of the privileges and prerogatives of Parliament — must be calm and moderate in word ard thought and presence;. It is easily inferable that the qualifications of the Speaker must be compatible with the dignified and stalel- privileges of the House, and with the retention of the heritages of custom and pr(cedent which as w(ll characterise the conservatism of political discussion as the high tone and ethics of disputation or conduct on the Benches. A veteran of the House of Commons once declared, with an appreciable amount of metaphorical truth, that " Speakers were born in heaven, and must remain there in spirit if they would carry ont their terrestrial trying mission to a satisfactory finale." This humorous declaration voices the qualifica- tions essential to the .Speaker's successful welfare : elevation from immediate heated surroundings, serenity and toleration, edged where necessary by decisive promptitude, and ready use of the power invested in his Chair for the due conduct of the business of Parliament. As the operator in a laborator- can watch and effectivel)' control by carefiil adjustment, knowledge, and accurate precision the experiment before him, so. too, can the Sp(aker guide the fiision of political ideas in the crucible of legislation ; and though he may not interfere directly in the attainment of the political solution, h(may yet e.xpel any object foreign or detrimental to its satisfactory operations. The members of the House of Assembly in South Australia agree in crediting its Speaker, Sir Jenkin Coles, with the possession of firmness, impartiality, tact, toleration, and dignity. Stumj) & Co., Photo