The Sun.
London, England, 1858-06-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EV ON'ING,

given the nearest quota and were efficient were to have
the preference over those who bad not given any.
Till WELLINGTON MONUMENT.

Mr. STIRLING asked the Chief Commissioner of
Works, if it was the intention of her Majesty's Go-
vernment to order any one of the Prize Designs for the
Wellington Monument, now exhibited in the conference
room, to be executed for St. Paul's ; and, if not,
whether he would state the coarse which the
Government proposed to adopt with regard to
the design and construction of the monument.
He characterised the exhibiCon of models as a failure,
and it was to be regretted so much time and labour had
been thrown away in producing models totally unfit for
the severe style of Wren in connection with St. Paul's.
Lord J. MANNERS said he would answer the ques-
tion at a later period of the evening.
THE INFORMER BURKE.
The O'DONOGHOE asked the Attorney-General for
Ireland, whether he had any objection to lay on the
table a copy of the notes taken by the Solicitor-General
for Ireland in his examination of the informer Burke,
after the revelations said to have been made by Burke
to the policemen and driver of the car who took him
from Nenagh to Roscrea ; and also a copy of
Burke's evidence on the trial of the Cormacks ?
He had reason to believe the cause of Burke's second
statement was the threat of the resident magistrate that
unless he told who murdered Mr. Ellis he should remain
in gaol till he rotted—he being in confinement at the
time. The honourable gentleman also took occa-
sion to complain of the proceedings on the trial
of the Cormacke, especially the irregular discharge
of the jury on the first trial, because they did not agree
to a verdict, and to the manner in which the jury for the
second trial was selected. Mr. Justice Keogk, who tried
the prisoner, charged the jury in a manner as he (The
O'Donoghoe) hoped juries were seldom charged within
these realms, for be frightened the jury into a verdict i f
condemnation. Every attempt was made to save them,
but without success, and the men were executed on
the 11th of May. Since then, circumstances had
occurred that tended to shake the belief in
the credibility of the witnesses. There was gra v e
matter for investigation (hear, hear), and it was not
right to put Burke out of the way to prevent it.
There were persons to be found that had heard him
say he made the statement on the trial to please the
public. The case must sooner or later be investigated,
to satisfy public indignation of feeling in Ireland.
Mr. GILPIN urged that the circumstances of the
case should be fully investigated.
Mr. BAGWELL said the greatest excitement
prevailed in the county of Tipperary respecting this
trial. There had never been a trial in Ireland before
this where the public feeling had bee❑ so much excited,
there was a prevalent feeling that justice had not been
done.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected to cases of
this kind being brought before that house, so ae to make
it a court of appeal against a conviction. The right hon.
gentleman referred to the position of the late Mr. Ellis
in Kerry, and the circumstances connecting his murder.
The men who were executed were in Mr. Ellis's employ,
and were well paid. Spillan, the informer, and Burke,
were also in the deceased's employ. The Cormacks re-
sided near where Mr. Ellis was murdered, and it was
proved by independent evidence that the Cormacks
were in the house, and formed a portion of a card-party
there, near the time when Mr. Ellis passed inhis car. After
referring to other details in connection with the murder,
he said the case was fairly tried, and every justice was
rendered them on this trial. They challenged nearly
thirty jurymen. Burke's reason for not stating on the
coroner's inquest who murdered his master, was, that he
was terrified on seeing him before him—one of the Car-
macks being actually on the jury. It was a most un-
worthy thing to impugn the justice of twelve men taken
from the county.
The O'DONOGHOE said he had done nothing of the
kind.

Mr.WHITESIDE continued—With regard to the jury
it was a mixed jury ; nobody was set aside on account (4
his religious opinions. They honestly tried the case, they
came to an honest verdict, and that house had no
authority to review the case. It was said, what had
become of Burke and Spillan ? why, the answer was
that if they remained in Tipperary they would be torn
into a thcusand pieces. It was an important thing to
know that the Crown never deserted a witness whose
life was jeop.s dised by evidence which he had given.
As to Burke having denied his evidence, the fact was
this. He had to be removed, and the car driver who
conveyed him having some suspicion who he was, said,
"Are you the fellow who gave evidence against
Cormack ?" His reply was "I am ;" and then upon a
supposed conversation between these two, it was assumed
that a case tried before a judge and jury and upon evi-
dence sifted on oath ; the case after the trial was
thoroughly investigated ; a period of six weeks was
allowed after the sentence was passed, and after the
fullest investigation the Lord-Lieutenant did not feel
himself justified i❑ interfering with the sentence.
Mr. BRADY reviewed the evidence, and contended
that it was most unsatisfactory.
The subject then dropped.
THE CONFESSIONAL IN BELGRA.VIA.

Mr. BUTLER asked whether it was the intention of
her Majesty's Government to take any steps in conse-
quence of the practices alleged to have taken place at the
confessional in the district of St. Barnabaw, Pimlico ;
and the statements that similar practices are being con-
tinued by other ministers of our church in that neigh-
bourhood ; and whether her Majesty's government is in
communication with the proper ecclesiastical authority,
in order to the punishmelit of all who may have taken
part in such practices. He had always felt t'-,at ques-
tions of a religious character ought al says to be avoided
in that house, or, at all events, to be lightly touched
upon. The borough he represented bad a population
over half a million, and in duty to them he thought he
was entitled to this information. He did not wish to
say anything of the question in the abstract, as he under-
stood that an appeal against the decision of the Bishop
of London was in the hands of the Archbishop of
Canterbury.
Mr. WALPOLE had no hesitation in saying that if
these practices had taken place, the sooner they were
put an end to the better. But there had been doubts and
denials as to these practices. This was a subject fir the
judicial cognisance of the bishop, and it would be unwise
o❑ the part of the Government to express what might bs
a premature opinion.