The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-07-26 00:00:00

THE REFORM DEMONSTRATION.

Mr. Chaplin called attention to the obstruction of the
approaches to the House by the Reform Demonstra-
tion, in violation of the order passed at the beginning
of the Session' and asked whether it was with the
sanction, direct or indirect, of the Government that the
sessional order was violated. _ _ _

Sir W. Harcourt replied in the negative, and added
that in his opinion there had been no violation of the
order. The police arrangements for keeping clear the
approaches to the House had been admirably carried
out; and the crowds assembled had displayed extra-
ordinary good sense and good humour.
Mr. J. Lowther asked whether a route could not have
been chosen for the procession which would have
caused less inconvenience to the public; but Sir W.
Harcourt disclaimed all responsibility for the selection
of the route, his duty being limited to taking steps for
the preservation of peace and order.
Mr. Chaplin repeated his statement that there had
been considerable inconvenience and obstruction; and
Mr. J. Lowther gave notice that on the vote for the
Metropolitan Police he would call attention to the
serious inconvenience caused by the party demonstra-
tion got up at the instance of the Government, and
would move a reduction of the vote.

SUPPLY.
The House then went into Committee of Supply, and
was engaged all night on Class IL of the Civil Service
Estimates.
There was the usual discussion on the Secret Service
Vote, the Irish members pressing fctr some information
as to the amount spent by the Irish Executive, and the
Scotch Votes were agreed to without opposition, Mr. R.
W. Duff, on the Fishery Vote, giving an interesting
account of the proceedings of the new Fishery Board.
The Irish votes were next taken, and on the vote for
the Chief Secretary's office there was a long debate on
the recent trial of Cornwall v. O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien
again accused the Chief Secretary of screening the
officials against whom odious charges have been made.
and Mr. Trevelyan went at length into the circum-
stances, maintaining that the Irish Government had
taken the right course, and the only course open to
them.
Mr. Parnell and several other Irish members spoke,
and, after a motion to report progress had been de-
feated Mr. Parnell suggested that a Select Committee
should be appointed to inquire whether the officials at
Dublin Castle had not refrained from making tormal
inquiry into crimes of the existence of which they had
perfect knowledge.
Mr. Gladstone arid Sir William Harcourt emphatically
declared that the Government would not assent to any
such course, and Mr. Gibson showed that it would be
most unjust to the men who were about to be put on
their trial.
After some further discussion a motion to reduce the
vote was negatived by 126 to 18, and ultimately the
vote was agreed to.
The House adjourned at ten minutes to three
o'clock.

In the HOUSE or LORDS, July 22, the motion that the
Sheriff Court-house Amendment (Scotland) Bill be then
read a second time was negatived, at the instance of
Lord Abinger, by 26 to 24.
Earl Granville, the Earl of Kimberley, and the Duke
of Argyll having protested against the bill being op-
posed without notice, Lord Abinger explained that
until he entered the House he was not aware that the
measure was down for second reading.
A second division being taken upon a motion that the
bill be read a second time that day three months,it was
negatived by 32 to 29.
The Earl of Dalhousie thereupon gave notice that he
should move the second reading on Thursday, and Lord
Abinger intimated that he should oppose it.