The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1881-08-09 00:00:00

I Mr. Bradlaugh at the House.
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VIOLENT SCENES.

FORCIBLE EXPULSION.

On Wedneaday morning everything was compara•
tively quiet at V. istininster, and beyond the pr settee
of a fit .r extra pol;estneu sad tise p sting a the
servants to their duties at the House of Comm, no.
there we nathius to indicate that anythin; unusual
w:as expetterl. Althoug.l but few persons hol assem-
bled I. hoot of Palrani .y.trd, the 1.1/4411 leadin4 to the
yard ware atr night gua Id 7 P4ice, and •it the door
hr.ding from Westminster Hall to the Hallo( Statue*,
a forc.s of cous'abl, s We, stationed. None but holders
,Tders ti the Speaker's and Btraageri Gall.ries were
p vutitte Ito enter. In We.tininster Hall there were
a number of Mr. Bradlaugh's friends bearing petitions.
Mrs. llearant and the Misses Bradlaugh were among
the group, alai carrying petidons praying the House
to admit tbe junior member for Northampton to take
his 11'..
_

Mr. Bradlaugh arrived in an own handaa, and, on
belt g perceived, was recaise I with loud che,- re and the
wevieg of hats and handkerchiefs. Mr. Breflaugh
ackuswlioged the.' salutations by raising his hat. Ha
was drailed in black, and c irried • stout oaken staff,
theyard with • light step
"an"!
awie.l,lf:cltyucsmnissale.
ePa'.vilueas 4;eidenfly amused at the
extraordivary pr-parations made for his reception.
on reaching the flags, in twat of Westminster HO,
Mr. Bradlau_th was received I y T
suepector Denniug,
by whom he was acs amps lied throuah the hall to the
approaches to the lobby. lie was again loudly cheered,
this time by thoie who had asseinlol to premot
petitions in hts behalf. Hon. members began to
arrive at 'he Hoaso of Connusiiis at half-dast eleven.
Shortly afterward, the tall firm of the Moue Secretary
was sent in the lobhy in conversation with the Serjaant-
at-Arms. Mr. Gladstone, with Mr. Herbert Gladstone,
arrived st noon. In the Lobby ',steely more than •
dozen members were down at IL3O. Sir S. Northeote
and Baron di Worm. arrived • few minutes before
that time. Five policemen hell th 3 door leading into
the Houle, with one or two addsti anal con-tabled also
near them together with the or !limy attendaute of the
114.111.3• No ataSUI(0111 were until than admitted either
t the inner or outer lobby. Ur. Brallangh, on his
arrival at the private entrance. rice suipathei by Mr.
Donut, was met by Mr. Loh mehere. Members
were mitted into the House w,th ev ry show of
caution. The outer dsor that leads from the lobhy. a
powerfully constructed portal with a small portcullis
through which the epprfach of ataau.,ere may, if
necessary, be observed and provided dr, wai kept
closed ; and the Serjeantsit-Artne scrutinise I every
member throug a the portcullis; m he demended admitt-
auce. The Speaker took the chair at non, but at
this time only nine members were present, and the
alarmism" bad cot increased when the Home went to
prayers. Among those present at this tine were Mr.
Gladstone and Mr. h'orater. After prayers, members
strea-ned in in large numbers, Mr. Labouchere being
among them. Strangers were admitted to the gallery
squatter of an hour earlier than is customary. Of the
scene being enacted in the lobby, those in the House
caw absolutely nothing, and not a sound reached Du m
beyond the haul cheering of the mob outside West- I
mater Palace-yard. At nine minutes past twelve
the cry, " Speaker in the chair," was raised, and I
immediately Mr. Bradlaugh walked to the doer of the
House, where Mr. Erskine, Deputy Speaker, was
Ntanding, surrounded by the ushers and police. Mr.
Erskine ;mid, "I have the instructions of the Speaker
to prevent you from mitering the precincts of the
House." Mr. Bracraugh raid, "I am ready to obey
any lawful orders ssf the House, but I am here in
obedience to the mandate of my constituents, and I I
will not yield to what is I:legal." Mr. Erskine replied,
" My orders are imperative: and the authority of the
House of Commons is sufficieut for me." Mr. Brad-
laugh attempted to re-e, hut Mr. Erakine put his
hand on him. Mr. Brad:much tburat Mr. Erskine off, and
was Immediately seized by one of the ushers. Mr.
Bradlaugh turned fierzely upon him and caught him
by ths throat, saying. "If anyone dares to
hinder me," repeating these words all the time while a
violent ist.uggle went on, tlua ;Vice pushing isir.
Bradlaugh along the floor, and he thrusting out his
arms to resist, but never once letting go his hold of the
auffortunate usher, upon whom he seemed to vent his
special anger. Surrsunde I by • dense throng of
members he will put out of the lobby ti the t ip of the
mernler's private staircase, down all its flights to the
floor beneath, and out into Palate-yard. The physical
struggle throughout was doleful in the last degree, and
thane who saw Mr. Bradlaugh's face will probably
never forget its expreesion. lie was ghastly rale, his
Spade awe apart, and quite& furious elprssaion on his
conntenance.
When Mr. Bradlanih mule his appearance in the
Palace-yord he was still striggling with several police-
men. Tome was an immediate rush from the hall and
verifies ;Arts of the rad, anti loud cheers followed
overy Leah struegle isi the hon, gentleman, woo was
olsse reed by Ds e near.st to Its ti lie in a fainting
eon litiser. A elsea o: seat -r w.a brought lim, eih
which his face was bathed. Mr. Bradiauela said to
lasi, :et r Denning he would shortly return with a
Luce which wool I compel the awl:runlet' to a-rcs • him.
In reply to to question " What force?" he d,
'lt, lee a isflisn.” 'rho is serve police was hr slight
up, a d the l'aLace-yesr I cleared et ah u ha 'f-past
twelse. The h iu. geotlinsan ay.s I It etonsling outside
t' Dose , goad's: at the I..assage through which ha had
been forcilsly iej ected.
Mr. Brad'augs air lied at the Weeteinattr Police-
court o , We Ito s ley aftern on for a 'mei:nous rgainst
Ineriect 4. I onnieg. chief of the p slice fore in the
disuse f Coinmos. for art assault. Ile did no', be
id, icier to what had taken place when he was
forcibly ram .v.sd from the HMIS% that bedig doubtless
covered by pris note ; but he stated that 'subsequently,
when, on p- a dug outbid • thc members' private a traac
he attetnistsd to re-enter tl.e House, Itspecter
Denning struck hint on the breast. although he ad-
mitted that it was no more thee a tochnicsi assault.
lie conten &II that that sot was net within the
oreolocts of Parliaeent. 'rhe magistrate recommended
him b, rsnesv his amilicati an oa Friday with =irefully
prepared inf.MLl ,titan.