The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-07-09 00:00:00

BAR DISCIPLINE BILL.

Mi. MOULT TO TOO CIM.TCILLOR Or TIM LICHNOIL
Stn,—l do myself the honour of addressing this letter
to you, not only ea you are Leader of the House of
Commons. but because, Moo, I believe you to be a
thoroughly just and honest and conscientious man, who
will redress • wrong If he is persuaded that it is • wrong,
and who has the power to do so, if he chooses, u we all
know that you ham.
Last year there was broarbt into the House of Commons
• measure called Tie Bar Diseipline IW. which purported
to deal with the education and control of members of the
Bet.
This is • very important profession; for as the judges
of the lend are chosen from it, it is right that it should
ronsitt of honourable, wise, and learned men ;it is right
also, that being what is called " • liberal profession.. ' its
independent* Mould not be interfered with, sued that it
should not be subject either to the discipline or despotism
which are needful, or "necessary evils, in the Army and
Navy.
This Bill was not discussed hest Session, and you
honoured ins with one or two short conversations on the
subject.
It was introduced again, pursuant to your promise, very
early in this Session' end, as I believe you know, it passed
• mooed reading 'without discussion, In consequence of an
Intimation given to Mr. Norwood, r r., for Hull, by the
Attoenry-fieneral, that it would not be brought on, on the
night when it so passed. In conesettance of this, Kr.
Norwood and his friends left the Home ; and shawl
immedimelv he did so the Bill was introduced and read.
Some English members, and some of the much maligned
Irish members. Protested, against this species of nracUos •
and, if I do not forget, you youresh Mamma that it
should be fully discussed on the motion for going into
committee.
This happened some months MO, and since then the Bill
leas been repent/idly adjourned. sad the discussion seems
as fm offal ever.
In the debate, if it ever comes cd. I intend, as you know,
to bring before the HOMO the creel and wicked circum-
stances under which I ham been driven out of my pro-
tendon, end subjected to • wrong as great as any man can
endure—short or death.
I do sot know whether you have ever looked into a
pamphlet which I sent you upon this subject a long time
since, entitled "Dr. Kiensaly's Case Probably_ you have
had no time to do No ; and if this be so, I cannot bMme von
In the least- It was one of about 110 which I distributed
among Memben of Parliament ; aid, as far as I know, not
one of them honourable members has mar even cut open
• page, or bothered himself in the treat degree shout this
lairt wrong.
nos I am compelled—as no one else oilers to do it—to
bring this cam before the Home In former days every act
of great injustice found an accuser in the House of -
moss; but at present it is otherwise; and the norrible
spectacle is presented to the world of • man like myself
utterly ruined without having committed any odence
whstmer. simply to gratify the private rengemcie of some
of Fier Majesty's judges open whom public conduct in the
Tiehbonee trial I was supposed to haws redacted.
Never before in England, as few as I know, was it sought
to be ast•blisbed that any public servants of the Crown
had an immunity from comment or criticism. But in my
case this has been done: and no one of public importance
seems to think that it is of any consequence; though, in
truth, it is • most dangerous blow at the 21irriii and
liberties of all. Mr. Gladstone is silent: Lard
will not speak: Yr. Brieht tells myself that im thinks
ks
it was wrong, and that he regrets be did not say so when
I mowed for an enquiry into the Tichborne Cass But
Limn, his sympathy ends. We have plenty of patriots,
and jurist., end professors, but they are all dumb about
this wicked act. Only out of doors there is • general
feeling of indignation among men of all sides; of which
I think you, with your many winos' of information,
man" be wholly ignorant.
I must endeavour to and out, when this Bill comes to
be discussed, whether it is seriously contended that our
judges are Impeccable end infallible ; and that "ruin for
for life" awaits any man who dares to challenge what they,
do.
This is what has been laid down in my case' but!
desire that it shall receive the imprimatur of the flame of
Commons, in order that we may all learn end know, on
the highest authority, that whatever is. Is right ;and that
as bad • deed as ever was charged upon the inquisition is
=done among ourselves without any remedy, or even
of redress The loquUdtioe generally heard their
victims, butt was condemned without any hearing, end
when I barged for one it was refused?
I here given notice, therefore, of my intention to ask for
• Select Committee to inquire into cases of ruin such as
mine: and I petition you, as an honest gentlemen, toping
me that committee,
Remember that I have been utterly ruined, without a
hearing ; that! have been expelled from my profession,
simply on • supposition at having when articles in • paw
that amsured the conduct of the nal:erns Trial' that I
am • man of no private fortune whatever; and that the
sentenos of destruction imposed on me, in my absence,
falls not on myself alone, but consigns MY family to
; in addition to the unjust stigma with which it
poverty; in
name, and which! ask you to help in remov-
ing from me and them
I am a member of the Irish bar, which steads quite as
high as the English; and if! had done anything which
rendered in, unfit to continue an Kcgtisk Barrister I
think the benches of Ireland would have taken up the
cam, and expelled nes from their ranks as unfit to remain
among them. But them eminent persons have done
nothing of the kind' and this absurdity is the result of
the est perpetrated here, that I can practise before the
Home of Lords as a baster, or the Judicial Ometnittse
of the Privy Council, and, if, I were not in Parliament.
before Committees of Lords and Oassmons, and maid
follow my profeadoo in India, or any of our colonies ; but
could not appear even in petty sessions court in &island,
where the lowest attorney's clerk may be heard !
Probably I may be asked, wily do you not practise in
Ireland or India, since you are qualified by law to do Dot
Kr answer is, I am too old to begin life anew. The
greater part of It has been passed in Borland, ellere all
my connections ars And after I bad been disbarred, four
/Mrs sto. I aged hem per 3 done one or the other;
nag WI toird.x= so MTWO palm, visor
TIOMOTM i ;Int whom dents have

reduced me to i weaker' which makes every mcgasat ay
my guidance only oat prokeded pain sod Gums
I am you. %mama If you will sot gnat tee • &led
Omernittee, I. help as to P•methr • dame which idea
amide member. of to. Radish bar to practise ta 'rebut&
sad members d the Irish bar to bare Ma asses privilege
Is leriseed. Thie claims would restore rse to my rights,
But LI you will not do either of these things, will you
aid me then is yawing tbe following clauses, of which I
base given action In committes /