The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-20 00:00:00

DISTURBANCES IN IRELAND.

The Marquis of LONDONDERRY begged to call
th 3 attention of the House to a matter of some import-
ance, with a view to ascertain whether the Government
bad any knowle& eof it. As there was now before this
Iluese a Bill affecting Ireland, he did think it would be
desirable to clear the matter up. It alluded to the pre-
eent state of Roscommon, and contained statements
which could scarcely be believed. The Noble Marquis
then read a statement from a documenthe held in his hand,
from which it appeared that the system of eviction of
tenantry was sadly on the increase in Ireland. It was
stated in a journal published in Roscommon a few days
ago—although he did not believe the truth of the whole
of that statement—that a certain lady had dispossessed
uo less than four hundred tenants a few weeks ago,
and who were consequently plunged into the
greatest distress, without the slightest means of
shelter. That lady and her husband had, on the
authority of the same journal, dispossessed upwards
of 2,000 human beings within the last two years. Now,
although he (the Marquis of Londonderry) could not for
it moment believe that the statements were, on the
whole, correct, although they were printed in very
large letters, yet he did think that if the Government
had any power of preventing those most cruel evictions
they ought to do something in this particular case.
Public notice; in his opinion, ought to be taken of this
matter. Every one must feel that no country could be
properly carried on when such cruelties were per-
mitts d. He therefore wished to know whether the
Government had made any inquiry into the circum-
stances, and, if they had, whether they had any objec-
tion to lay the information before their Lordships ?
Earl SP. GERMANS said that the Noble Mar-
quis had been kind enough to give him notice that
enornine of his intention to put that question. In re-
ply, he (the Earl of St. Germans) had to say that the
Government had received no information whatever
of the cieeunistances ; indeed, it would be very difficult
tG obtain any information, inasmuch as there were no
names given. It appeared to him, howevermuch they may
deplore this extraordinary exercise of power, it was im-
possible for the Government to prevent it. But at the
same time if they should obtain any information, he on
the part of the Government, would be most happy to fur-
nish it.
Earl CLANRICARDE said that the case appeared so
horrible, that he thought it deserving of notice. It was
vite possible to arrive at the particulars of the case,
if tr,:e names of the parties could be obtained, because,
if any cmilles bad been ejected, there must have been
some pree,.^us process at the Court of Quarter Sessions,
or the Baronr. 1 Courts, in which case there would be a
:
record, and after s::e particulars were obtained he should
be most harpy to move that a Committee of that House
be appointed to take into consideration the amendment
of the present law of landlord aed tenant.—(Hear.)
The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said that he had
not the experience or abilility of the Noble Lord who
had just spoken, and not being connected with the
south of Ireland, he did not prosecute his inquiries into
the matter. Ile thought that in stating the case to the
House, and in calling the attention of the Government
to the subj ct, they would make necessary inquiries, and
report to the House what measures they would adopt to
put a stop in the time coming to similar proceedings.
Earl CLANRICARDE said that he might be mis-
t take:LAl, that infoymation might be had from
the Baeeeial Courtseecertainly information might be re-
cetved from tbb.Sheriff'P office.
t. The. Earl Si',. GERMANS said that. the Government
did not desire to conceal any of .the facts. All he had
skid vrasi.tleat it was not in the power of Government, if
• IfiVapr4ecetoitte ivereiegal, to tat S stop to them.
The Marcenie of. WESTMEATH :said, that if the
• Marquis whd had brought forward the circum-
stance were in thelaabit of reading the-Irish newspapers,
aware Abet 0,9' did not always confine
sthereeeleee fee elle.truili..-(Laughter.)
Lord STO,URTQN_postponed the motion for certain
veto-Lica neigh he had, given notice, in order not to in-
lei:reit.' with the everee important question on Ireland,
which came ere'onsfslonday first,
MINISTERS' MONEY.
Lord CAMPBELL presented a petition from the
reagieteratee aiirtelverenuncil of Cork, praying for the
bol/4 tws,2l: Ounsters money.
.ii:IARITABLE TRUSTS.
The .ZSoELE and LEARNED Loan also presented a
petitions tom certain bookbinders against the Charitable
Trusts Bill.
MIDLAND
HAS WESTERN RAILWAY.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from the
guardians of Lord Forbes (as we thought) and the
Viscountess Forbes, against the above railway, which
threatened to destroy the property of Castle Forbes.
ALTERATIONS IN THE RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Lord. KINNAIRD said that he would propose, on
Thursday next, that a Committee be appointed to take
nto consideration the best means of introducing one uni-
form system in the management of railways, and
of securing the fulfilment of the provisions given
by the Act of Parliament under which the cora-
pa have obtained their powers; and by which greater
rtos
sccomeelodation and safety may be secured to the public.
Secondly, to take into consideration the best means of
avoiding exeeavagant expense for obtaining Acts of Par-
; liament by bona fide concerns, and of preventing
the formation of schemes got up for the purposes of spe-
culation. _ Thirdly, to consider what legislative measures
can he framed for the protection of individuals from the
injuries they may sustain by the laying down of lines
through their property, without the ruinous expense of
opposing them in Parliament. He knew cases where
inoividuals had been so interfered with by railways, and
their solicitors and agents had told them it would be
better for them to submit to the injury than to go to the
expense of obtaining redress in Parliament.
POOR-LAW COMMISSI ONRS S. REFUSAL OF
PAPE.
Lord BROUGIJAM said, that in the case of a Com-
mittee formed to inquire into the operation of the Irish
poor-law circumstances have occurred to which he felt
it necessary to call the attention of the House. The
Committee was obstructed in its proceedings by a wit-
ness refusing to produce papers and answer ques-
tions, being forbidden by the order of the
Poor-lacy Commissioners to disclose to the Com-
mittee the contents of certain documents. It
was so monstrous a thing, that he could hardly
have believed it, had he not seen Mr. Gunston, the Poor-
law Commissioner, also the letter in which he asks per-
mission of the Poor-law Commissioners to produce to
the Committee the correspondence. Mr. Gunston told
him that he could not find the answer to the letter, but
be assured Om that the answer expressly forbid him
Lo produce the peoers.
Lord CLANCAIITY said the witness Certainly did 1
poers before the Committee and
fcr inquiry, and it had been-isTs object to produce the
he thought it a fit subject
intention to bring the circumstences under the notice of
the Rollie, had he not been anetipated by his Noble
Friend Lord Broueehani. Mr. unstOn had refused
to produce the papers, but bad now not oi;!eined per-
'mission of the Poor-law Commissioners ; but he objected
that the house should be dependent on the permission
a ers necessary to
of ;nee public body. for h
carry oin:- the inquiries. Het.e hi:ladthought that the
coramitt„ wight to have noticed the circumstance by
some special reieert in their general report, as he looked
with great jealousy on the manner in which the Poor-law
Commiseioners had le:terfered, as there WM
wanActthe of
Parliament which laid doNYn the manner in idutie;hould ;ee discharged.
Lord BROUGOAM said, thou *h the papers were pro-
duced to-morrow, an effence agains: their privileges had
been committed, as those. who had refused to produce
them had prevented their inieairy from oeng on to-day.
g
The Poor-law Commissioners silOuld be told that it was
at their peril that they refused to p:odaee these papers.
They had no right to refuse to prodece them. Mr.
Gunston said he had had their permission to do
so ; but they had no permission to withhold them.
If the Committee required these documents, they .might
report to the House, and obtain an order for their pro-
duction. lie was anxious to keep their privileges in as
small a compass as possible compatible with the proper
eecarrying on of the btainess entrusted to them, and he
*Mad' net consent tolorego any prieille of an inquisi-
torial character which was necessary.