New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-04
THE SEAMEN'S CAUSE.
Mr.. PLIMSOLLS PROTEST.

FACTION WITH HIS COURSE.
trnox THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuNE'l
IoNpoN. July 24.-Which is the more shock
srg thing q breach of morals or breach OF
decorumf To the question put thus abstracty
most people even in England, would answer
readily a breach of morals. Put In the con.
crete, with Mr.. Plimsoll committing preach OIL
decorum and Mr.. Disrael committing breach OF
morals, a good many people have answered IL Ill
their haste the other way. The papers Vi rIua9
morning were more full of horror on account VI WI.
Plmsolrs use of the word villains IN inc house Vi
Commons than on account of Mr.. Disraelis decision
that the villains should go unpunisheo' anu 'neh
victims unprotected for another year.
Ills about a month since the Prime Minister with
an arrogance which the House found offensive, de-
.lared that all the important bills the Government
bad in hand should be passed even though, ne III
tmated the session might be prolonged into Septem-
her Thursday night saw curious change OF ihood'
He then told the House it had become Impossible 10
pass the Merchant Shipping bill-the bill which, an
impcrfect as it was, was beyond comparison the
most important and benefcent measure OF the
session. The annOuncement-Or rather the purpose
known fredericksburg Mr.. Phmsoll past endur-
snce He was standing at the bar and began speak
ING from the bar, which the rules Of the House do
NOT hermit Lord Francis Conyngham gave him his
from there Mr.. Plimsol delivered perhaps the most
outspoken speech ever heard in the House. Conven-
tonaties he flung to the winds at the start with his
inpassioned entreaty to the Prime Minister mot TO
eonsicn some thousands of living human beings to
miserable DEATH Then, turning upon the President
of the Board of Trade he charged him with having
expressly drawn the bill in a form to incite hostile
amendments and declared that since the CONNER
eial marine of this country had been committed TO
the Board of Trade the whole matter has been get
ting worse and worse. with the aid" Numbered
Mr. Plimsoll, "of ship-owners of murderous tenden-
eies outside the House, and who are Immediately
represented in this House. they have frustrated ana
defeated every effort to procure remedy for tins
state of things"
Not a single ship-this on the authority of the
Secretary of Lloyds-had for 80 years been voun-
tary broken up by her owners. Out of 5000 YES
sels on Lloyd's register, fewer than 1854 have
gone off their class and forfeited their position
What followsf Every Winter, hundreds and
hundreds of brave men are sent to death, and their
wives are made widows and their children are made
1atherless so that a few speculative scoundreis
Icheers in whose hearts there is neither the love OF
God nor the fear of man, may make unhallowed
gain. ICheers.J There were shp-owDers who never
built ship and never bought one shlp-knackers
and one of them was member OF the House"
Here the Speaker interposed with warning that
discussion out of order
The climax followed instantly. "Then Sir give
notice of a question which will put on Tuesday
next to the right honorable gentleman the President
of the Board of Trade" After naming four vessels
which were lost with 81 lives in 1874, and two
Others which were abandoned at sea, he proceeded:
eel shall ask whether the owner, Edward Bates, Is
abe member for Plymouth or some other person OF
the same name Hear hear.l And, Sir, shall ask
some questions about henderson this side OF the
House, too" [Laughterl 81 am determined
(raising his clenched fist to unmask the villains
who send these sailors to death"
The Speaker rose in his chair-Mr. Plimsoll being
oil the while out of his place, and gesturing vio-
lontly-to express his hope that Mr. Plimso did not
mean to apply the word villain to any member of the
House. 81 did" replied he, land | don't mean to
withdraw it, The Speaker rejolned that it was nm
parliamentary, and again asked him to withdraw
the word but again Mr.. Plimso declined to retract.
Then the Speaker said docs the honorable
member withdraw the expressionV
Mr. Plimsoll replied, mo, he does not" [Cries Of
withdraw
"n" rejoined the Speaker, the honorable men,
Der declines to withdraw il, must leave the matter
II the Judgment of the House."
Mr. PlimsOll, who had meanwhile taken seat on
fle front Opposition bench, again advanced to the
front of the table, and placing written paper upon
IT, said IL shall be very happy to submit to the
Judgment Of the House, and this is my protest" III
remained standing at the table for about minute,
amid cries of "Char," and then resumed his seat,
still manifestng great excitement.
Mr. Disraei rose As leader of the House, it is his
business to look after what is called its dignity,
when things have got to such pass that motion is
necessary. brother member, he remarked had
conducted himself in most unparalleled manner.
$50 has the Government" broke in Mr.. PlimsOll.
His conduct Mr. Disraeli said had been of the most
offensive kind and, though with reluctance, he felt
bound to move that Mr. Plimsol be reprmanded by
the Speaker. The cuprit was therefore directed to
make his defense, and then withdraw, but defense
he would not make, and withdrew at once. An
animated talk followed. 1t does not seem to have
occurred to anybody to move that Mr.. Dsraeli be
yeprimanded. Lord Harrington, cool and yawning
as usual, said he should of course" support the
motion, if necessary, but suggested it be adj
iOurned for q week. Friends of Mr.. PlnnsOll, in
language well meant, but which he would have dis
owned pleaded for him that he in sucha state Of
nontal agitation, the result Of an overstrain on a
sensitive temperament, as to make him irresponsible.
The adjournment carried.
Now it may be at once admitted that Mr.. Plim-
toips application of the word villain to sundry MEN,
bers Of the House. and TO Mr. Bates in particular by
name, is not in conformity with the rules of the
House. But enough has been said, and is likely TO
be said on that point. The morning after the event
people thought Mr. Pmsoll had made mistake
that in moment Of lost sef-contrOl he had turned
against himself the Indignation which would have
been directed exclusively against Mr. Disrae for his
shameful abandonment Of the bill. 1t looks other
wise now. 1t is known Mr.. Plimsolls speech was
meditated In the written protest he lodged lie uses