The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-02-29 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

Its the House of Dints, on Teb. 24, the Marquis of Clanrl-
garde rose to call the attention of the House to the question
of tenure of land in Ireland. The mode Marquis said it
was his iutention to elitist their lordships' attention on be-
half of a hill on this subject similar to one he had intro.
dwell last year. What was the condition of Ireland
now? lie maintained that it never aria in a better
condition for material pro,rerity than at present.
Grossly exaggerated statements were being continually
made by agitator', representing that the tenants were
being greatly oppressed by the landlords but such
was not the case One gentleman had expended
£142,000 on improvements on his estate, no return
for which bad yet been made. For himself, he had not such
a horror of tenant right as many hail but he certainly dis-
liked to see schemes advanced for the settlement of tenant
right which were foolish and misleading in the extreme, lie
referred to certain returns which had been made to the
House on the subject of tenant right, observing that what he
wanted to arrive at was seine measure of right in the mat-
ter. Instancing Beyond counties, he proved by statistics
that the practice of eviction was very unequal—one county
yielding 5 101 in a given period as compared with the county
of Cork. In 1060 there were 1.100 divisions in Ulster, and
only 700 odd in Connaught. These facts ought to be made
known. The noble marquis, who was almost inaudible in
the gallery, proceeded further to epeak of the misrepreeents.
Dons which those who wish to stir op Ord° in [relent circu-
lated It was thought from their statements that the
farmer. in Ireland were a small clam, most of whom held
something like thirty acres from their landlords. Thin was
not the cage: and he knew of one tenant who paid J:40,000 •
year rent. Ile read a report showing that the coalition of
the population in some parts of the north of Ireland was
everything that could be desired. There were 600,000 agri-
cultural holdings in Ireland, and he wanted to know by what
right it was urged that these holdings ehould be purchased,
as was proposed. Was it true that it wait the peasant pro-
prietorship which advanced the interests of a nation
Did they introduce the newest improvements? use
the best and most efficient labour or raise the
value of land, or stock it with cattle? it was just the
opposite. They used women's labour, and were so
limited in their abilities that he denied they were of such
service as were represented. And lot these peasant pro-
prietors *ere held up above the great landlords! Ile would
say that the poor population in Ireland resisted the tempta-
tions which were laid before them with great fortitude.
Notwithstanding what had been told them, id. what they
read In the newspapers, they still remained loyal. It was
attempted to raise a panic, but it was of no avail, lle
trusted and believed better days were in store for Ireland,
and he hoped that the bill he now brought forward would
tend to help on that time. lie could say that rents had been
paid most readily, and most easily, and there was every hope
that prosperity would return to Ireland.
Lord Si Leonards saw no necesaity for fresh legislation,
unless it could be shown that the act of 11160, which ap.
peered to be most fair and businesslike, had failed.
The Earl of Kimberley said Um noble Mantels's bill was no
extensive that care most be taken to prevent its introiluMig
confusion. The state of Ireland, as compared with England
and Scotland, showed a necessity for the interference of
Parliament. The bill of th-, noble Marquis would not do
harm, but might do good, but In sonic respecta it wan defi-
cient. He deprecated sweeping revointionarY remedies,
which would produce worse evils than the present.
The Earl of Malmesbory said on behalf of the Govern-
ment, he /Mould offer no opposition to the second reading of
the bill when it arrived at that stage, but he recommended
that the lill shoeld he referred to the sanie committee as
that of last year. The policy of the Government on this
question would he explained the neat day Tuesday, in
another place, by the secretary for Ireland.
The bill was then reads first time.
..

_
On the or ler of the day for the second reading of the hill
for continnirg the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in
Ireland, Earl Russell said it mu a matter greatly to be
deplores], to find the Government asking them for the third
time to suspend the constitutional rights of their fellow.
subjects to Ireland. But the House could not refuse to do
so unless they felt that it was unnecessary, or that the
powers hail been abused by the Government. Ile admitted
that neither of these reasons applied to the present case.
Still they were hound to probe the causes of the dissatisfac-
tion which prevailed in Ireland. Ile deprecated the post-
ponement of legislation, and urged the importance of satis-
fying the mind of Ireland as necessary to the safety of the
empire in the event of a Ituarrel with the United States. Ile
condemned the Irish church as a grievance and an anomaly
unparalleled In any other country, and demanded that
the Covernment should at once state whether they meant
to propose remedial measures, or to uphold a policy of
resistance.

The Earl of Hardwicke asked why Earl Russell, who so
long held the helm of state, never while he was in office
brought in a bill to give effect to the views he now express..d.
The abolition of tie Ii iah church would seriously weaken the
power of the English government in Ireland.
Earl Grey cordially agreed with the views of Earl Russell,
and insisted especially on abolishing the great grievance I,f
the Irish church, which was an insult and degradation in the
eyes of the Irish people.
The Duke of Richmond said the government had, as they
were bound, taken into consideration the state of Ireland,
but they must decide for themselves the time and Occasion
for introducing their measures.
The Marquis of Westmeath denounced the Irish Roman
catholic church as a political engine.
The Earl of Ellenborough thought it would be a mistaken
policy to conciliate the Roman catholics by the oppression
of the Protestants, or to net up the One church by the
spoliation of the other. At the same time it was desirable
to establish religious equality in Ireland. The Protestants,
however, were the civil garrison of Ireland.
After a few observations from the Bishop of Ossory, the
bill was read a second time, and their Lordships adjourned.

In the Rouse of Sammons Mr. M.Laren gave notice that,
on the second reading of the Scotch Retorts IMIL he should
move that no arrangement for the distribution of seats
will be satisfactory winch does not treat Scotland, as to the
number of its members, as an integral portion of the lofted
Kingdom ; and that to establish an equality at least fifteen
additional members should be given to that country.
Mr. Hardy stated, in reply to M. Candlish, that he ilid
not intend this session to introduce a measure to prevent
the pollution of rivers.
The Public Departments Extra Receipts' Bill was read a
second time.
The Railways (Extension of Time) 12111 was read a second
Unto.
LQIIVC was given to Mr. Ewart to bring in a bill to intro-
duce into this country the metric system of weights and
measures and to Mr. S Covet,i bring Pt a bill to carry into
effect a convention netween her Majesty and the Emperor of
the French concerning the fisheries io the seas adjoining
the British Islands sad Yrattee, and to amend the laws re-
, It is sail that lr Spoke's friends attribute the freak to
'afire to Itrithh sea Merles.
' his unwillingness to tuarry lie is perfectly sane. The
Lord J. NI :miters moved for leave to bring in a bill to
Commit noli o. are to have the reward promised by his friends
bmtner continue snit appropriate the London coal and eine•
M for his discovery.
ks. _ _ _

--..1.. Laboachere thought it a questionable policy to con- I
The Te/egraph announces, "on authority," that Mr.
thine these du: lea from 1882 to ISSB, with a view to borrow. ' .
Mg money upon them now. If the b 4
ill were identical with e freak which hm as been the cause of so uch anxiety
iriLe a •
elide and to las family,
that of last )ear, Ile should offer it all the uppositi"n in his tmental Eallueination of a peculiar kind has
and that on all
(rein a
power
Leave was then given to bring in the MIL points, save that of withdrawing himself inert the knowledge
of his friends• he is perfectly sane. All reports of hit
The Lord A4vovate moved for lea) e to bring in a bill to . . . .
J", . having neen in pecuniary difficulties, or having formed con-
amend the precedure 111 the Court of Session, and the
dal artmigements lathe superior court, of Scotland. The ne,:tions of a discreditable nature, are, the Telegraph assures
object of the bill, he stated, was to expedite the decision id to "on authority," utterly and entirely without namilatne.
Whatever opinion the public may entertain as to the aimed-
cues, and this it was proposed to effect by extending the
time for the sitting of the coons to some extent, and also ties. of his intellect, the TeDgraph maintains "on authority"
i to make certain arrangements by which the judges would he that the reverend absconder's moral character remains un-
, ~,„„„,i.hed.
enabled to decide cases at times when at present they cculd 1 ""'"
,_
not come before them. The bill also providel a new court'
of appeal to review the decisions of the sberiffs: and it re. 1 The Times has the following leader on the case:—
decel the number of the jury in civil cases from 15 to 7. The public will learn with great satisfaction that Mr. Spoke Mr. Monermff eriticised the provisions of the bill hut I is said to be alive and well. Mr. Murdoch, who only on 'Monday
expressed his belief that the bill would effect a great ion- 1 so confidently contradicted any report to this effect, has
provement 011 the present procedure. , informed Sir Richard Mayne that his relative has been
Leave wae given to bring in the bill, anti also to lirleg In , found at Padstow, in Cornwall, by one of the constabulary,
another bill to amend the procedure 111 the Court of ,' anti he is no doubt at present under close super.
Juaticiary in Scotland, and the 1101130 adjourned,.
It the Road alurder we know a
EalG NATION OF TII E ITEM I ER. wahine that has so much excited people's minds ; end, te-
te the House of Lords, on Feb. 25, the Earl of afalmes. deed, the disappearance of Mr, Speke, If viewed under
,
bury rose and saint—My Lords, it is my ditty to inform your one aspect, was of much more general importance.
Lordships that the Earl of Derby, in consequence of failing to those rho inclined to the hypothesis of a murder
health, has been obliged to tender his resignati.in to her the incident suggested the apprehension of a new
Majesty, and that her Majesty has been graciously pleased danger. It hail to be supposed that a man thirty-gee
to accept it Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to sears old, of good stature, and of bodily etrengtk
send for the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exche- above the average could he made away with between
quer, to form a new Atiminiatration. It the feeling of the six and seveu o'clock in the evening in a walk between
noble lords opposite (and I know It must be so) is regret
Varwick-opiere, Pimlico, and Queen.square, Westminster ;
that failing health and illness, takes him, as it were before that not the slightest trace ..1 the deed :should anywhere i
his time, time, from among us, and deprives us of his advice main; that no one shoidd have beard a cry urn struggle :
that the body should have been so effectually concealed as
owl the benefit of his orperienee, how much more must thin
be felt by those frienda who have sat side by side with hint to have escaped every search t and, finally, that all was so
well planned sea executed that nit even a reward of k5OO
when in office and in opposition? My turtle, there is but one
and the utmost exertions of the police were able to Mang the
consolation under these circumetance.. We hope that that
rest which the noble lord proposes to give himself will truth to light. It was this aspect of the case which gave its
legitimate public interest, and made it a proper subject for
restore hint to its again in greater strength, at all events
discussion in the Press. Mr. Spoke disappears, and his re-
as an independent member of Parliament, to givens the bene-
flt of his advice, and that we may enjoy the charms id his latives, after a very short interval, offer a reward for his
discovery, which they soon increase to an unusual amount.
elomenee I hail rather say no more on this subject. There-
This reward is placarded on every wall. It becomes known
fore, I will simply state the course I propose with regard
to the business of the House. As it is necessary that that the most efficient detectives are searching for the
missing man, lint without success. The hat that has been
the Habeas Corpus Suspension t Ireland Act should rezeive
foetid suggests to many minds the idea of robbery and
the royal assent before Saturdey beet, I propose that the
committee on that bill shalt be taken to-niaht, and that the murder in a well known and much-frequented thoroughfare,
-
beside one of the Royal Park., and letween the Palace of
Meuse shall reaesemble on Thursday he the purpose of pass-
thaaOneen allll the seat of the Legieasture The question
tug that measure, and then adjourn again until Friday, when
which every oue a.ked himself was whether a strong Mali In
the House of Commons meets. the vigour of life could be thus made away with
Earl Russell expreesed his deep smypathy with the noble
in the centre of Lonaon, whether our metropolis was
Earl and his colleagues iu the Government on tile loss they
infested by murderers of such stall that this clergy-
bad sustained, awl a hope that their Lordships aught again
man, and perhaps others of whose aisappearance the public
see the noble Premier in his place in the House. was reminded, could have perished by their violence and
The Habeas C elms Suspension Act passed through cone.
passed away without a trice. If such should prove to be the
mittee ; and their Lordehips adjourned until Thursday ;Feb.
27.) fact, it would certainly he a reproach on our municipa
government, and would show the necessity for • larger and
In the Rouse of Commons, Lora Stanley rose and sald : more effective police force to cope with a criminal class so
Sir, I have to announce to the House, awl Ido it with deep dangeroug. Could it be possible that there really exist dln •
regret, that Lord Derby, in conlequence of the state of hie 1,,,ej0e a body of murderers unsuspected by the Governmeet
health, which, although improving, la stills uch as to render or the police, that a secret and mysterious Thuggee could
absolute repase from businees necessary, has felt it Ms duty flourish within a mile of Scotland-yard, and leave our detec-
t.) tender hiß resignation of the ottice he held to her gives in despair? If a man ean he made away with between
Majesty, and her Majesty has been gracioesly pleased to six and seven in the evening, what ie the prospect of those
accept his resignation. lbave further to state that. by her who have to pass through the deserted streets at between
alajesty's command, my right hon. Mena tin Illilleellor of three awl four in the morning ? If Mr. Sp elt% thirty-five
the Excbequer is at present engage-I in the ("rotation years old ana vigoroue of frame, can be swept away, whet is
of a Minietry. ander these circumstances lam only folio.- to become of old lige or womanhood ? It nee I not be siMI
ing the ;usual and, I believe, the luvariable custom if, on time w e that het] a matter of this kind is brought before the polies.,
part of uty right hon. friend, I venture to tuisgest the ex- and an appeal is, moreover, made by the offer of reward to
pediency of at, aajournment till the necessary arrangements the whole community, It becomes. question in which the
have Seen completed 1 deeply regret, and I ant sure that
.public is almost as much interented as the missing man's
ray right hon. friend deeply regrets, to introsince any oh- relatives. They, of course, think ouly of the intlivideat, and
stacie between the debate on • subject perhaps the most are actuated by peisonal attachment : the public thiuks of
importaid which could engage the atteutiou of the House . the peseiele dangers which his disappearance may indicate.
but I think the ibinee will feel that the cireamstatices are
We were first indocai to e immeut en this subject by a
such as to leave us tio option I propose that the House
Vie
to It gen the alarm which the facts of the case arta
on its rising do adjourn till Friaay text.
the vague remets concerning it were creating. It seemed to
Mr Gladstone seal :So far, Sir, as regards the motion for us that the lispothesis of a murder, so far from resting on
adjournment, under the present circumetatices I should have
hicontrovertible ream inia g, was not so plausible as that of a
thought that it would have called for no single word front
voluntary absence. Evro if we knew nothing if the case,
myself, so obviously ha it dictated from the circumstance. of
we should have the right, according to the law of pouts.
case. With respect, however, to the special cause of that
bilities, to decide in favour of. flight; but in this case there
retirement which Lord Stanley, by a singular destiny, has were other circumstanoes which seemed to oppose the sup-
I know will be generally felt, my regret that a career so hung, had to announce, I cannot help expressing for myself, what position of merder. The hour, the district—lit some part.
theinged with people, in none absolutely deserted,—the fact
an active, and, in so many respects, so dietinenished and that a great reward should have brought forward no one
remarkable as that of his father, should have been brought
who cmild give the slighteat clue to the myetery, the truffle?.
to a close by the failure of his bodily health and streegth.
search made by the police—all Indicated that no such crime
Mr, alaguire hoped that the Goverunieut would appoint
had been committed. Should the person found at Padstow
an early day, and a Government day for the consiaeratien
prove to he Mr. Spoke. we shall have the satisfaction
of his resolution. of having dorm some practical good by assisting
Lord Stanley promisol that It should be pot down for to dispel
a eroundiess alarm. As for Mr. Speke himself we have
Friday Feb. 28). yet to learn the cause. of his extraordinary escstpatie. Sufi.
The House then adjourned till that day. posing him to be in possession of all his faculties, and
to have cemmitted tlas aet with tho deliberate resole.
tins of withdrawing himself either for a timeor permanently
from the eoctety of all who knew him, it I. difficult to imagine
a more heartless or mischievous act. Ile has brought the
most poiguant distress on his friends, he has aubjectea them
to infinite inconvenience alai anxiety, he has inflicted no
little labour on the police, and he has terrified the more timid
part of the pithlic beyond measure. In short, he has mole a
public scanaal, for allich he will aesuredly have to ila
penence. A man hum, lialeol, a riaht le en where he pleaßi pi,
but he has no right ti make If under circumstancen whirl'
must tiring secant., ot the 'nont heinous crime mem tau
Deighbeurhooll. and Fossil''y upon seine ienecent peroiu.
lie Iwi in right to make appointee:ran for the perpore ef
mom:ding the norla Laos he intruded to go out only fir all
how, the necessary Coll.llllellen being a belief that Ile has
met a aloleltt cll4. Snch conduct Is not only 5,1 °Rena,
against nu:ratty fint against the public peace, thumb from
ita rarity it has hover Lean brought under the peiralties of
the law.
- - - -

This strange affair confirms a remark we made in first
commenting lip fl the sunject—that it Mon a mistaken
method to yuggi at only reasonable hypotheses when apes u.
lating naerions which were probably completely unreayumi
Ode. It Is gotta natural that people in general should have
thought it impossible that Mr sticks should he alive and in
podession of his liiivrty. They coal ndt conceive such
coming and perversity 114 were indicated by the order to the
groom to be in waltiog the next, eventng at the station, the I
tinying of the hat, and the appointment made for half.past '
six that, moreover, he should leave family and friends in
the deepest trouble, and remain indifferent to every call of
affection or honour week after week. But experience in the
morbid part of human nature teaches that men do than
things, and that the very qualities which make the action
strange and repulsive to the rest of the world exercise a
fascination over them. niter the pnitiful anxiety this event
has produced, it will he a relief if we are assured that It has
only been the result of eccentricity and folly carried to their
extremes, mill that there is Sro reason to loheve I nilon to
be more unsafe now than it has hitherto bsen. Great crimes
are rare In this metropolis, considering its euormous extent
and population, and It may he said confidently that in no
great city of the wiirld are the streets more safe to one who
goes about his business steadily and soberly,

The Daily News regards Mr. Speke's conteasion, as it was
giveu to the magistrate at Bodmin and to hi. friends. as
adding another to thousands of forgotten evidences of the
fact that human lives, and human character and human
"

ni-oitres,-are-rery mixed and connlicate-d, very fugitive and
incomprehensible. The best regulated minds are subjeet
at times to impressible anti uncontr, 11a..1e gusts arid ills of
passhm and caprice. Men of middle age, whose lives
are tressed is habit' ii self.restraint, and in a constant moral
and elericid seals.% sometimes grow suddenly restbas
and savagely weary of the world they live in. A desire to
wander and to roam, a taste tor adventure, an eagerness
for change, Is not incompatible with exalted religious feelhg,
sincere piety, • faithful perfounauee of all duties. A long
compression of nervous energies, as unsatisfied superfluity
of generous aspirations. may iflake a tender son pitiless, and
a sober parish cleno num a !auntie, with all the horizon of
immeasurable deserts in his niiinl's eye, and all the bound-
less yearnings of a human and • heavenly love In his helot.