The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 24, 1870.

IMPERINL PAH lAA \ EN I'.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. —THIS DAY.
The Speaker took the chair at ten minutes past tw
o'clock, when there was a good attendance of members
After some private bills had been advanced, petitions
referring to various matters, but particularly to the
elementary education measure, were presented, and notices
of mc,iion given. Mr. Vernon Harcourt announced
intention, on going into committee of supply on the
edncation vote, to move that whereas in cases of voluntary
schools assisted by Privy Coucil grants, the larger propor
tion is defrayed by public taxation, and the school pence
paid by the parents of the children, provision should be
made giving the community in each district, and especially
such parents a fair representation in the management of
such schools.
PRISON WARDERS.
Mr. FLOYER asked the Secretary of State for the Home
Department whether, as stated at the inquest on Edward
Bly, one of the warders at the convict prison at Port, and
he had been placed in sole charge of tne working convict
party in consequence, among other reasons, of the require-
ments of the War, Admiralty, and Prison Departments ;
And, whether, considering that several warders had lost
their lives within no long period from murderous assaults
upon them by convicts, it was not possible to make better
provision for the safety of such officers in charge of work-
ing parties, especially when the parties were employed as
such a distance from each other that assistance in case of
need could not be immediately given.
Mr. BRUCE replied that, the working parties in the
prison were employed upon works of the Admiralty, and
were distributed as far as possible to meet the require-
ments of the works, having regard to the number of
officers available to superintend. It was quite true that
many parties were in charge of only one officer ; but there
were always other officers close at hand, with guards and
sentries ready to render necessary assistance. It was the
duty of every officer to keep the prisoners in his front,
and he regretted to say that in consequence of neglecting
that rule the unfortunate warder referred to was killed.
Of course, it was impossible, whatever care might be
taken, when a person was bent upon a savage assault, and
the officials were not aware of his intention, to prevent
the attack. He had made inquiries in the matter, and
he found that every reasonable precaution was taken.
TIM BRIDGWATER ELECTION.
Mr. OSBORNE asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department whether he had any objection to lay
upon the table of the House the memorial presented to
him in the matter of Mr. Fenelly, with the appendix
thereto, and also the memorial of the special jury who
tried the case.

Mr. BRUCE, in reply, stated that it was not usual
to present memorials of that sort, and lay them on the
table of the House. They had always been regarded as
privileged communications, affecting the exercise of the
prerogative of the Crown, and not as ordinary official
correspondence.
Mr. OSBORNE said he should take the first opportu-
nity of moving that they be laid upon the table of the
House.
Mr. LOWTHER asked the Secretary of State for the
Home Department why the affidavit of the Bridgwater
Commissioners has been omitted from the return ordered
by the House on the 10th of June, headed " Copy of all
Affidavits (not already laid upon the table) filed in the
Court of Queen's Bench in the matters of the Queen v.
Fenelly, and the Queen v. Hardiment."
Mr. BRUCE replied that he had nothing whatever to do
with the matter; it rested with the officer of the House
The motion for the papers was an order upon the officer
•f the House, and he had no doubt they were forwarded
to the proper officers.