The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-23 00:00:00

THE ESCAPE OF STEPHENS.

Mr. WIIITESIDE then called the attention of the house
to the circumstances connected with the escape of Stephens,
the head centre of Fenianism, from Richmond Peniten-
tiary. The hon. and learned gentleman detailed the cir-
cumstances that had led to the apprehension of Stephens,
and those which conduced to his escape. He said that in
order to render the escape of the great head of the con-
spiracy possible, no military guard could have been placed
over the prison. The extra guard, if it had been
so placed, must have withdrawn, or else the officials of the
prison must have been greater traitors than the rebel. He
contended that the whole circumstances were a reflection
upon the authorities in Ireland, both military
and civil, because he believed, notwithstanding many
versions that had been given with respect to the
escape of Stephens, the true ono was that the
flight of Stephens from Richmond prison was effected by
false keys provided for him by the officials of the goal,
who were the paid servants of the Crown ; and
the whole transaction was a disgrace to the
Executive in Ireland. lle should like to know whether
any investigation had boon made into the
escape of Stephens, and whether there would be
any objection to lay a copy of the proceedings on the table
of the house ?

The ArTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND denied,
with some warmth, the insinuation that the general elec-
tion had anything to do with delaying the breaking up of
the Fenian conspiracy, and asserted that the Executive had
done all they could to insure the safe custody of Stephens.
Richmond Gaol, he said, was not under their control, and,
having offered the assistance of a military guard, they were
not responsible for its being declined. He created much
amusement by the ridiculous light in which he placed the
Phoenix prosecutions conducted by Mr Whiteside, and con-
tended that the Irish Government had done all in their
powor to suppress the conspiracy.
Mr. GEORGE asserted that the Phoenix and the Fenian
conspiracy were identical in origin, and censured the Irish
Executive for its dilatoriness in making the arrests.

Sir R. PEEL protested against the assumption that this
dilatoriness had anything to do with the general election,
stigmatising it as " mean and paltry," and challenged the
fullest inquiry into the conduct of the Government. Ile
denied that the Executive had omitted any precaution in
their power ; they had offered a military guard, and were
not aware that it had been declined, and it was by inter-
nal treason alone, against which it was impossible for any
Government to guard, that the escapo of Stephens was
effected. He praised the conduct of the constabulary and
of the juries.

Lord NAAS and Mr. S. B. MILLER vindicated the con-
duct of the Irish Executive in Lord Derby's time in regard
to the Phoenix conspiracy, and censured the present Go-
vernment for allowing the conspiracy to run its course so
long, and for not taking greater precautions to secure
Stephens.
Mr. SULLIVAN defended the Government.
Sir G. GREY stated that Lord Wodehouso had acted
with the entire concurrence of the Cabinet.

Mr. 11. BAILLIE pointed out that the publisher of the
Irish People had previously been convicted, and might have
been called up for judgment at any time.

THE NEW COURTS OF JUSTICE.

Mr. BENTINCK called attention to the plan adopted by
the commissioners for building the New Courts of Justice
for securing designs, and moved a resolution to the effect
that it is not expedient that the competition be confined to
six architects.

Mr. HOPE supported the motion, contending that, as
unlimited competition in the present state of public opinion
was hardly possible, means ought to be taken to obtain de-
signs from the best architects.

Mr. F. POWELL made some observations in support of
the motion.

Mr. COWPER pointed out that Parliament, by the Act
passed last session, had intrusted the discretion to the com-
missioners, and vindicated the course which they had
pxrsued, denying that any favouritism had been shown.
Sir G. Bowyer, Mr. Locke, and Mr. Tite argued in favour
of unlimited competition.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL explained the practical
reasons which had induced the commissioners to adopt the
system of limited competition.
The motion was supported by Mr. Henley, Mr. Hibbert,
and Mr. Sheridan, and was carried, on a division, by 101
to 70.
After a short explanation from the Marquis of HARTING-
TON, in reference to a question raised by Mr. DISRAELI at
the commencement of the evening, the house went into
Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates, and the fol-
lowing votes were agreed to:—
£212,800 for the administration of the Army.
£135,900 for Superannuation Allowances.
Tho Labouring Classes' Dwellings Bill passed through
Committee.

Other bills were forwarded a stage, and the house ad-
journed at 10 minutes past one o'clock.