In the past two months Speaker Julian Besteiro of Spain's hectic National Assembly (see above) has smashed four Speaker's bells. Last week he smashed his fifth, probably an all-time parliamentary record.
His method: when most violent bell-swinging fails to bring Spanish Deputies to order, Speaker Besteiro pounds until his desk is deeply dented, his bell completely shattered.
In thrifty France the Speaker's bell is anchored pendulum-wise to a firm support. When its ringing proves futile, the Speaker puts on his slightly conical French silk hat, stalks from the Chamber or Senate, automatically suspends the...