The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-01-29 00:00:00

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Mr. Litton urged that, pending ,the introduction of
remedial measures, the Government should bring in a Bill
to suspend eviction for non•payment of rent whore the rent
was not fair and reasonable.

Mr. O'Donnell denounced the renegade Liberalism of the
Government, and laughed at the idea of coercion putting
down the Land League. In the course of a lively philippic
against the Treasury Bench, he said that Mr. Gladstone
was tiding as a "traitor to his Sovereign," and on the
Speaker saying this was scarcely Parliamentary language,
MI. O'Donnell at first endeavoured to explain it, but ulti-
mately under pressure from Sir R. Cross, he withdrew it, and
substituted for it the opinion that Mr. Gladstone's conduct
was "incompatible with his duty to the three kingdoms."

On the motion of Mr. Labouchere the Debate was ad-
journed, and the House adjourned at ten minutes to one
o'clock.

In the ifotist or Lo11.1)S, Jan. 25, Lord Inchiquin, who said
ho was aware that there was such a document in existence,
asked the Government whether they were in possession of a
memorandum by Lord Napier of Magdala in reference to the
retention of Candahar, and, if they were, whether they
would lay it on the table, and, if they were not, why they
had not consulted so high an authority. He expressed his
conviction that the opinions of the noble and gallant lord on
this question Were of the greatest value.
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Lord Waverlcy urged on the Government the importance
of possessing themselves of all obtainable information on
the subject.
Lord Enfield, replying for the Government, said that,
unofficially and through the instrumentality of an officer
in the Horse Guards, the Secretary for India had ob-
tained such a memorandum but the Government did not
propose to lay it on the table, and the Secretary of State
had not consulted Lord Napier as to the question of
Candahar, because, while the Government recognized to
the fullest extent the distinguished position and the military
intelligence of that noble and gallant officer, he had not for
some time past been officially connected with either mili-
tary or political affairs in the East.
Their Lordslilps adjourned at twenty-five minutes past five
o'clock.

In the fIotTSE CP COMMONS, Mr. Rogers asked the Secre-
tary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the perils
of the English coasts during storms and the high im-
portance of keeping the access to this country for seamen,
ships and merchandise as safe as possible, he would consider
the expediency' of employing steam-tugs and coastguard -men
as supplementary, in case there was peril of wreck to the
volunteer lifeboa tservice, and in substitution of private tugs
wherever it migh be practicable.
Mr. Trevelyan replied : Sir, on Friday last I explained to
the House that to provide steam power round our coast for
the purpose suggested in this question was beyond the pre-
sent resources of the Admiralty, and I will refer my hon.
friend to what I then said. Short of working steam tugs,
it is hardly possible to overrate the services performed by
the coastguard in saving life. There are 290 stations for
rocket apparatus on the coasts of the United Kingdom,
most of which are manned entirely by the coastguard, while
of the remainder the majority are worked by our admirable
volunteer brigades and companies, acting under the in-
structions of the coastguard. During the gales which raged
in the closing period of October last, in three days and
nights 264 lives were saved by this machinery, in the
management of which the coastguard takes so leading a
part. Of these, 229 lives were saved in the Hull district,
which lies along the east coast of England, from Berwick to
the Wash. I may say that the attention of his Rdyal
Highness the Admiral-Superintendent of Naval Reserves is
closely and constantly directed to this department of the
duties of the coastguard—duties for the discharge of
which habits of discipline are as necessary as for any service
in the world.
The Marquis of Hartington, being questioned by Mr.
Stanhope and Mr. Onslow as to the manner in which the
decision to abandon Candahar had been arrived at, said that
his despatch in the Blue-book was not written in answer to
any despatch from the Indian Government, and as yet no
answer from Lord Ripon had been received. He declined
at present to say whether further papers would be produced.
Mr. Stanhope thereupon gave notice of his intention to ask
whether the communications between the Secretary of State
and the Viceroy had not been of a private character and in
su,,, a form as to prevent the Council of each pronouncing
an opinion before the decision was arrived at.
Mr. Alderman Fowler asked the Postmaster-General
whether, while the country roads were impeded by snow, he
would arrange for the mails to be conveyed by Win from all
towns possessing railway communication.
Mr. Fawcett raid strict instructions had been given to send
the mails by rail instead of by cart or messenger when the
former mode of conveyance was more expeditious. As to the
delay of which he had been informed by the hon. member in
Wiltshire, he should make inquiry and see that it was
remedied.
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-------•
On rising, pursuant to ;notice, to move urgency for the
Coercion Bills and to give them precedence over all other
public business, Mr. Gladstone was interrupted by Mr.
Gray, who appealed to the Chair to say whether it was not
out of order to move such a motion with reference to the
stages of a Bill as yet non-existent. The. Speaker held that
the motion was quite regular, and offered no ground for in-
terruption. Mr. Gladstone thereupon proceeded to
remind the House that he had given his notice on the
first day. of the Session on general grounds • but these,
though strong enough then, had been greatly strengthened
by what,. had since occurred. Referring to the serious con-
dition orlreland, he urged that when the Executive Go-
vernment had arrived at the conclusion that it needed
additional powers, it was the duty of the Executive and of
Parliament also to use every proper and lawful means to
insure despatch, and that not a day should be wasted
by the obtrusion of swondary topics in pronouncing
on the Ministerial proposals. While disclaiming all
desire to curtail reasonable discussion, he pointed
out to those who denied the necessity of coercion,
or who thought it ought to be preceded by reme-
dial measures, that they also were deeply interested in
proving with the least delay the Government to be mis-
taken; and, in answer to the complaint that private mem-
bers' rights were being interfered with, he reminded the
House that it was not usually until the first week of Feb-
ruary that private members commenced to legislate. More-
over, it is not decent that such a matter, involving a grave
and capital charge, should be protracted by the interposi-
tion of other [business, and he hoped, therefore, that the
House would agree to his proposal promptly.
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Mr. T. P. O'Connor proposed to move the amendment
standing in the name of Mr. Parnell, that the present state
of Ireland does not justify the demand made on the time of
private members, but was informed by the Speaker that
this would be out of order. •Ife proceeded then to argue
g•enerally against the proposal as unjustifiable and
unsupported by any precedents ; and regarding coercion
not ,as a capital charge but a capital sentence against
Ireland, ha declared that he felt no obligation of Parlia-
mentary decency or otherwise to hasten the day when it
would be pronounced.
After several h• n. members had addressed the House,

Mr. Biggar made a long and discursive speech against the
motion. He was repeatedly called on by the Chair to speak
to the question, but persisting in his irrelevancy, the Speaker
at length named him in the terms of the Standing Order "as
wilfully disregarding the authority of the Chair," and Mr.
Forster (in the momentary absence of Mr. Elladstme) there-
upon moved that Mr. Biggar be suspended from se service
of the House during the remainder of the sitting. When
the question was nut, Mr. Biggar attempted to address •the
House, but was not permitted, and the motion having been
carried on a division by 160 to 30, he left the House in
obedience to the direction of the Speaker.
After the division had been taken, Mr. Healy moved an
adjournment, in order, as he said, that the debate might be
rehabilitated by Mr. Biggar's return, and he was procee4ng
to enlarge on this theme, when the Speaker informed him
that it would be out of order to call in question the vote
of the House. Mr. M'Carthy; who seconded the motion,
was also called to order on the same ground several times,
and at last sat down somewhat abruptly. Mr. O'Donnell
discoursed for some time on the general question, and after
Mr. Gladstone had explained the grounds of his refusal to
accede to the motion, it was negatived by 269 to 35.
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A second motion to adjourn the House was immediately
made by Mr. Gray, and seconded by Mr. Lalor, and, after
a short discussion, it was negatived by 277 to 34.
The debate on Mr. Gladstone's motion was then re-
amed for a short time, and Mr. O'Sullivan and Mr.
Leamy having spoken, Mr. Byrne, at half-past twelve
o'clock, moved a third adjournment. Mr. Gladstone, amid
loud cheers from both sides, said he could not accept
this or any similar motion. Pointing out that the greater
part of the evening had been wasted in contests with the
Chair, or in motions for adjournment, begun at an earlier
hour than usual, he accepted the motion as a challenge to
the House whether it was to retain its capacity to transact
public business.
Sir Stafford Northcote' who was also warmly cheered,
said that the Government, having decided to take this course,
would receive the support of the Opposition.
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• In answer to Mr: O'Shaughnessy, Sir W. Harcourt
said the Government would advise the House to continue
the debate until Mr. Gladstone's motion was disposed of.
Mr. Dillon twitted the Prime Minister with laying a trap for
the Irish members and with creating an opportunity for put-
ting in execution a preconcerted plan for breaking down
their resistance. Mr. Daly and Mr. Sexton spoke in the
same strain, and protested their determination to prolong
the struggle as long as might be necessary.
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The debate was still proceeding at three o'clock, at the
,ime the morning papers went to press.

The debate was continued until four o'clock, when ra
divisin was taken upon an amendment moved by Mr.
Labs for the adjournment of the debate. This was de-
feated by 159 to 24.
Mr. Dillon then moved the adjournment of the House.
(Home-rule cheers.) He was sure the Government would
have agreed to the adjournment of the debate but
for the Biggar incident, for which the other Irish
members were not responsible. They had acted in a
bond fide manner, and the Government were responsible
for the waste of time and the disgrace of these
proceedings. It was only fair that two or three nights
should be given for the discussion of the resolution ; but the
Government sought deliberately to crush the Irish members
offhand, with the aid of the English and Scotch members, on
a question affecting only Ireland. Perhaps, however, the
result would be that more time would actually be expended
in the discussion than was anticipated.
The O'Gorman Mahon formally seconded the motion.
The debate was continued until six o'clock by Mr. A.
'O'Connor, Sir William Harcourt, Mr. T. M'Carthy, Mr.
M'Coan, and Mr. Daly.
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The arrival of Mr. Childers now enabled the Chief
Secretary and Sir William Harcourt to take a temporary
leave of absence; and as six approached Mr. Mayfair re-
lieved the Speaker. The debate then procteded, and Mr.
Barry supported the motion for adjournment, in order to
afford the Government time to reconsider its position. and
to obviate the humiliating spectaale of a trial of physical
endurance between the contending parties in the Rouse.
Mr. O'Sullivan urged that the question should be ad-
journed, first because the return on which the Government
relied as making out a case for coercion was only placed in
the hands of members on Monday morning; and, secondly,
because the Leader of the Rome Rule members was absent.
lie suggested that the question should be adjourned now
(half-past six o'clock), and taken up again at twelve o'clock.
If that course were taken, no doubt a division could be
taken on the question when a quarter to six arrived. But
if that course were not taken, the Government would per-
haps find that they could not arrive at a decision without a
much longer debate.
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Mr. O'Donnell spoke at considerable length, and was fol-
lowed by several hon. members. Mr. Molloy said that he
had been sitting for 171 hours in the-House, and he asked
seriously what good had the expenditure of all that time
done to either of the contending parties?
The House divided at nine o'clock on Mr. Dillon's motion
for adjournment which was defeated by 125 to 21—and just
as the figures were announced 31r. Forster appeared,
and received a hearty cheer. Mr. Sexton then moved the
adjournment of the debate. Soon after, Sir Richard Cross
and Lord Sandon were relieved on the Opposition benches
by Sir Stafford Northcote and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach.
Mr. Sexton, Mr. O'Eelly, and Mr. Dillon continued the
debate, and at twenty-five minutes past ten o'clock Mr.
Gladstone entered, and was received with cheers on taking
his seat on the Treasury bench next to ,Mr. Forster, with
whom he at once entered into earnest conversation. Im-
mediately afterwards Mr. Parnell entered the House and was
greeted with cheers from the members of his party. At this
time the benches on both sides were well filled, many mem-
bers having returned to their places during the previous
hour. Presently Mr. Gladstone rose and beckoned Sir
Stafford Northcote and they left the House together for con-
sultation. Mi. Leamy was speaking at this time and he said
he wag afraid he should not be able to make himself
sufficiently powerful for the Government to deprive him of
his liberties.

Mr. E. D. Gray asked the Prime Minister to say what
would happen if the Government, having physically ex-
hausted the Home Rule members, carried the resolution at
present before the House. Would they proceed to take the
other stages of the Bill at once in the absence of those who
opposed them, they being physically incapable of being
longer in their places. He would suggest that the Govern-
ment should be allowed to pass this resolution now, and
that instead of immediately going on with the 'other stages
of the Bill, there should be a respite for rest until Thursday
night—
Mx. I. Y. O'Connor said be was glad to see Mr. Gladstone

hill's plass, and he hoped he had enjoyed a good 'light's
rest. (Cries of " Oh !")
A short interval—presumably for breakfast—was taken at
this point (eleven o'clock) by Dr. Playfair, and the gas being
about the same time (timed off the appearance of the House
became anything but inspiriting. The floor was covered
with torn paper, while the dismal foggy daylight appeared
to have scarcely strength enough to penetrate the windows,
and the fagged, listless appearance of the majority of the
members did not add to the sprightliness of the scene.
_ _ _

Mr. Dawson, resuming the debate, accused the Chief Sec-
retary of using unfair means of coercing the Irish party. It
could not be said of the Irish members that they had not
given the Government plenty of opportunity of bringing the
present undignified discussion to a close.
Mr. O'Shauglanessy urged that the Government should
accede to the suggestion made by the hon. member for
Carlow county (Mr. Gray).
The Speaker's Chaplain entered the House at twenty-five
minutes to twelve prepared to read the usual twelve o'clock
prayers on Wednesday, and finding that his services were
not likely to be required immediately left.
The House was cleared for a division at five minutes to
twelve, and the Motion for the adjournment of the debate,
which had been discussed for some hours, was negatived
without a division.
Mr. A. O'Connor's Amendment to Mr. Gladstone's Motion,
"that the orders of the day be now read," was next put to
the House, and also negatived without a division.
The Deputy Speaker put Mr. Gladstone's original Motion
for giving precedence to the Coercion Bills, whereupon
Mr. Parnell said he thought it was pretty generally agreed
that they might now take a division, and he would ask the
Government to consent to the Motion with regard to the
Irish Bills (no, no), until Monday (loud cries of "No.') He
begged pardon, he meant Thursday (renewed cries of' No ").
Phis debate might now be brought to a conclusion with a
division upon the question, put from the chair. lie did not
wish to allude to what had taken place last night
beyond expressing his regret that anything should have
occurred to interrupt the calm judgment of the House in re-
gard to their proposals for coercive measures. He was very
much influenced by the feeling of regret that the temper of
the House should prevent a calm consideration of the ques-
tion. He now proposed that the House should not take the
Coereion Bills until Thursday, and that they should go to a
division at once on the question put from the Chair (hear,
hear, cheers, asset "No," from Ministeralists).
Mr. Gladstone said if he understood the proposal of the
member for Cork it was this, that he and his friends were
willing to proceed to a division on the question before the
House provided the Government were willing to postpone
until Thursday the resumption of the adjourned de-
bate upon the proposals of Mr. Forster. Now, the words
of the hon, member were not applicable to the present
situation of affairs. He apprehended that whether the
division was taken immediately or not,- they had now
arrived at such a period of time that after the division the
Tuesday sitting would have stretched into Wednesday, and
Wednesday would, ipso facto, have disappeared. It would
be impossible for the Houso to enter, into any arrange-
ment on the subject, and it was now for them to continue
with the business before them. (Cheers.) He supposed it was
not necessary for him to repeat his former declaration, made
at ohe o'clock this morning. The great majority of the
speeches, it was admitted, had been made in view of what
had taken place last night in' reference to the member for
Cavan. Anything more fatal to the general procedure of
this House could not happen than that its authority should
have been called in question,' and that attempts should
have been made to prolong the matter. Government would
decline to enter into any arrangement to allow the sit-
ting to be broken for the purpose of allowing the
debate to be continued on a future day. (Cheers.)
Government accepted the responsibility of their Motion.
Sir S. Northcote said it was of great importance that for
the honour of the House they should have some understand-
ing of the position in which they stood at the present time,
and of the course which it was proposed to take. He was
not even sure now what was the nature of the proposals
made by the hon. member for Cork. The Prime Minister
had very properly said that the Government were re-
sponsible for the course they had taken in order not
to break the continuity of the sitting. He supported
the course taken by the Government, and those who acted
with him were ready to do the same, and he wished to say
that they were perfectly willing to continue. (Loud
cheers.) He understood the hon. member for Cork to sug
gest a compromise, which he was sure the feeling of the
majority of independent members would be against.
(Cheers.) He understood, however, that the Prime Minister
refused to accept any stipulation as to the cause of busi-
ness in regard to the motion for giving precedence to
the Irish Secretary's Bills. Members on the Conservative
side were not altogether satisfied with the course pursu d
by the Government, but they had abstained from criticising
thsir defects because they considered that the important
matter now was to support them in carrying out what they
proposed as sfficiently as possible, if they had any doubt about
the heartiness of the Government they would feel it their
duty to call attention to the conduct of the Government,
but at least let there be an understanding that when they
resumed the debate on Mr. Forster's Bill to-morrow the
debate should be concluded at to-morrow's sitting. (Loud
cheers, and cries of "oh.")
Mr. Parnell: Mr. Playfair, I rise to order. I wish to ask if
the right hon, baronet is in order in discussing on the pre-
sent motion the question as to how long a debate on a
motion to introduce the Bill for the Protection of Life and
Property in Ireland shall last.
The Chairman ruled that Sir S. Northcote was in order In
referring td the conditions on which he and his supporters
would support the Government.
Sir S. Northcote said it would be necessary for the
Government to act with firmness and vigour, and if they did
so they would have the support of the Conservative side.
(Cheers.)
Mr. Whitbread, agreeing with the Prime Minister not to
cerne to any bargain with Mr. Parnell, hoped that he would
not, on tlie other hand, come to any bargain with Sir S.
Northcote to limit and contract the debate on Mr. Forster's
Bill.
Mr. Gorst supported Sir S. Northcote's suggestion, and
blamed the Government for wasting a whole day and de-
priving' independent members of their Wednesday privi-
leges.
Mr. J. Cowen, who was received with loud cheers, said he
had no stomach for such long debates.' (Hear, hear.) They
were derogatory to the dignity of Parliament and dis-
paraged the reputation of the noblest legislative assembly
in the world. (Hear, hear.) Speaking on behalf of
the insignificant and somewhat despised race of politicians—
the Independent Radicals, he objected to the Resolution of
the Prime Minister because it was an interference with the
few and fast diminishing rights of private members. (Home-
rule cheers), and also because it placed members for Ireland
at a disadvantage when the liberties of their' country were
being forcibly Confiscated by Parliament. (Home-rule
cheers;. More time had been appropriated by the Govern-
ment for their business last year than the 'suc-
ceeding year, and the tendency of things was gra-
dually to deprive private members of nearly all their
privileges. After some further observations, Mr. Cowen
saia he would conclude by warning the Government that
they were straining the powers they possessed in
order to introduce coercive measures, which were
disgraceful, and humiliating to the igountry. (Loud
Irish cheers, and cries of "No " and "Shame" from the
Liberal and Conservative .benches). Let the Government
learn from history the results of the most dangerous- and
unconstitutional course they were taking. (Prologired
Home Rule cheers.)
Mr. Forster, who was received with great cheering, replied
at some length to the hon. members.

After speeches by Mr. Dillwyn, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Moore,
and Mr. Illingworth, the House divided—
For the Motion • • .. 251

.. ..
Against .. 33
Majority for .. • • —2lB
..
Mr. Gladstone then moved the adjournment of the House,
remarking that the Government could not ask members to
proceed with the general debate at this hour, and they would
object to going into the business of private members.
After some observations from Mr. Callan, in reference to
a return for which he had moved,
The House adjourned at five minutes past two until four
o'clock on Thursday.

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