The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-06-06 00:00:00

PRIVILEGE.

In the Music or CommoNS, Mr. O'Donnell, the unseated
Member for Galway, made his appearance at the Bar at the
commencement of the sitting, and attempted to make all
appeal against the judgment of Mr. Justice Lawson Ile was
informed, however, by the Speaker, that since the receipt of
the Judge's Report he was no longer a member of the House,
and could not be heard.

EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCES COMMITTEE.--BREACH OF

PRIVILEGE.

Another matter of PriajileWV;;—occupieal the House for
some little time. Before the recess Mr. K. S. France was
ordered to attend to answer for a letter he had written and cir-
culated, accusing the Chairman and other members of the
Committee on Explosive Sulistances of unfair conduct. Sir
John Hay— the Chairman of the Committee --now moved that
Mr France be called in, said, after the motion had been put. mr.
Forsyth, who said Mr. France was a constituent of his, read a
long statement from him, the gist of which appeared to be that
he conceived himself to be aggrieved by the refusal aat the
Chairman to persist hini to otter certain rebutting eVideliee
before the Committee. It concluded by apologizing for
and withdrawing the offensive language complained of,
and, wader the circumstances, Mr. Forsyth leaped the
House would not pursue the matter further. He
made a motion accordingly, that Mr. France be Ms-
charged from further attendance, which, however, failed to
find a soca antler. Mr. Disraeli was of opinion that Mr. France
had rather aggravated his offence, and that the Maine taught
not to accept this statement, but to insist ou Mr. France
appearing to give his explanation in person. I pou this
Mr. France was called in, anal, interrogated lay the
Speaker, he admitted that he lout written and circu-
lated the letter, anal repeated the apology contained
In •• statement." lie was then directed to with-
draw, and after a short pause, no member making any
proposal, Mr. Disraeli again rose, and, remarking that Mr.
France's explanation was still unsatisfactory, advised that
he should be brought to the Par and admonished. Mr.
France was accordingly once more called in, and the Speaker
addressed to him a di.nifled and appropriate admonition,
and warned him against a repetition of the offence.

FACTORY ACT AMENDMENT BILL.

In answer to Mr. Baxter. Mr. Cross said that the Factory
Act Amendment Bill would not he taken until the
Licensing Bill had passed through Committee.

THE MEMOVAL OF MILITARY OFFICERS.

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On going into Committee of Supply, Mr. Torrens moved an
Address to the Crown praying that in time of peace no regi-
mental officer who has held a Commission for three
years shall lie removed from active service until he has
bad the option of having his case heard and determined
by a Court-Martial, lie disclaimed any intention of
interfering with the Royal Prerogative of dismissal,
but maintained that it ought not to lie exercised
except after inquiry by Court-Martial. The s ff yet of making
such a regulation would be to subAitute Courts-Martial for
secret hoards of Inquiry, and to give the officers a tenure
during good behaviour instead of one at pleasure and, in
support id it, he reviewed at length the libtory of this I.le-
rogstive, mentioned several eases of hardship, and appealed
to the example of foreign nations. Sir G. lkdfoue spoke
lu support of the motion. and, in opposition to it Mr. save
(the Judge-Advocate-Oeneral pointed tint that cases
frequently occurred in which the efficiency of the service
required that an officer should be placed on !salt -pay
Who had done nothing worthy of being brought to court-
Martial. Mr. Hardy also urged against the change that
it would prevent the Crown reducing or disbanding a regi
ment without court-martialling the officers, and repeated
Lord Palmerston's objection that under such a regulation no
(After could he dismissed without the consent of his I is-other-
officers. He dwelt, to, sin the improbability of a Secretary
of State responsible to Parliament conniving at an arbitrary
or unjust exercise of the Prerogative.
Sir 11. Havelock, who spoke with the experience of eighteen
years' Staff service, strongly supported the motion, believing
that it would conduce greatly to the discipline of the Army
If a court-martial were requires' in every case of removal.
On a division, Mr. Torrens' motion was negatived by itt
to 31.
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