The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-21
LONDON. March 10

LONDON, marCn IL.
A remarkable scene occurred In the Honse
of Commons tonight, when Sir Charles W..
Dilke's resolution to investigate the expenses
of the crown came up. The speaker called up
Sir Charles for the Introduction Of the motion,
Of which he had already given notice. Wis.
count Bury rose to q question OF privilege ae
member of Parliament. He said he had
taken an oath OF allegiance to Queen Victoria
and her successors, and as the member for
Chelsea had avowed openly that be was Re-
publican, the Vlscount wanted to know II,
with proper respect for the honor Of the Com
mons, the member could be allowed to pro-
ceed without repudiatlng bis allegiance. Here
Lord Bury was interrupted by cheers and
shouts, and there was much confusion on all
sides. The speaker, as soon as the House was
brought to order, said he saw nothing incon-
sistent with the dignity Of the House in al
lowing the member from Chelsea to proceed.
1t was no part Of the speakers duty to inter-
fere.
Sir Charles Dixie then rose to put his motion,
amid great excitement and storm OF groans
and cheers. In firm and moderate tone OF
voice, he called attention to the civil list, and
then moved for the returns, showing the du-
ties of the auditor, to whom he makes his re-
ports, copies OF such reports for each year
since the accession of Victoria, the warrants
issued by tho treasury, with specifications of
the classes In which savings arose, ana to
which accounts those savings were trans
ierred each year; also, returns showing The
income and expenditures Of the crown from
the Queens accession 10 the present year, the
amount charged In the estimates for fees on
Installations, for robes, collars. badges, royal
presents, the conveyance OF distinguished per-
sonages, the funerals of the royal family, for
the coronation, for the journeys Of the Queen,
the building and repairing of palaces, court
ceremonies, allowances to trumpeters, water
men, marshals and chamberlains, and for ser.
vices of the royal yachts for ten years, and
Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, and the
total amount paid the Prince of Wales. Sir
Charles, having succeeded In reading his mo.
tion to the end, though frequently Interrupt
ed, proceeded then to support II IN set
speech.
Derislve laughter was heard in all parts OF
the House, In the galleries as well as on The
floor, during Its delivery, and the confusion
was at times so great that his voice was inau-
dible. He opened by saying that possibly the
motion he offered was Unprecedented. II was
time. therefore. taat the ptecedent be estab-
lshed. He would discuss the question of ale
glance some other day. He denounced sine
cures and useless offices like that OF the Gov
ernor OF Windsor Castle, and wanted to know
on what principle of right Prince Teck and
Prince Arthur were allowed 10 occupy lodges
In the public parks. There was once some
justification in spending money for royal
yachts, for his late Majesty William was sailor
king; now we maintained four vessels Of this
description for what reason? The abandon
ment of the antiquated palace OF 81. James
WAS recommended long ago, yet thousands
were spent thereon annually. He admitted
that he had charged that the Queen paid no
income tax. This he had since learned was
not true; he, therefore, retracted the charge,
nd odn thof ho had hQpD mfQinf0rmp0
He concluded by asserting that the civil list
showed an Increase OF ten thousand pounds,
and the taxpayers believed that large portion
of the money was wasted.
Auberon Herbert. member for Nottingham,
seconded the motion. The House had all this
time been noisy and tumultuous. When Mr..
Gladstone rose, however, order was restored,
and the members became attentive. Glad
stone contradlcted positively the statement
that the civil list has increased, and corrected
Sir Charles sharply on other points. Zone
who assumed to instruct the public, he said,
smust at least be accurate" He denounced
as mischIeyous the speech made by The mem.
ber OF Newcastle, ana hinted that the success
of his motion would be equal 10 the success OF
that speech. In conclusion, Mr.. Gladstone
urged the House on every ground 10 reject
the motion. Mir. Herbert endeavored to speak,
but bis voice was drowned with groans and
cries of "Oh, divide" The speaker insisted
on the preservation Of order, when all the
Conservatives and many Liberals left the
chamber BE attempted to continue his
speech, and declared that he preferred re-
public to a monarchy. At this point, the In
terruplions began again. Three attempts
were made To count out the House. Lord
George Hamilton called attention to the de:
monsratons of persons 10 tne Visitors, ,n ana
The galleries were cleared, but were soon
afterWard reopened. After several attempts
to adjourn. and various dilatory motions, the
House divided, with the following result: For
the motion, 2; against the motion, PA. The
result was greeted with cheers and laughter.