New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-08-02
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS
FILTBUsTERNG IN ENGLAND.
AN EXTRAORDINARY HOUSE or COMMONS sEs'
on TuV gorr1u ,vrrCAN CONCENTRATION

4
AN EXTRAORDINARY HOUSE OF COMMONS SESSION
on TIP SOUTH AFRICAN CONFEDERATION BILL
THE GOVERNMENT SUCCESSFUL
LONDON Wednesday. Aug. /, 1877
| One Of the most extraordinary sttings ever held
| by the House of Commons has just closed. The
House assembled at four o'clock yesterday afternoon,
and before six o'clock had gone into Committee on
the South African Confederation Bill to which
there has been at every stage long and persistent
obstruction by Me3srs. Parnell Biggar and
O'Donnell, occasionally assisted by two
! other members.
During last nights discussion. Sir Stafford North
cote. Chancellor of the Exchequer, declared that the
Government intended to pass the bill if the House
bad to sit through the vacation. Upon this, Mr..
John OConnor Power. Liberal member for Mayo
County who had been made aware of the Govern
ment tactics charged the Government with having
organized a conspiracy to crush the Irish members.
Immediately the House in a tumult. The
Chairman demanded the withdrawal of the word
conspiracy" Mr. Power tried 10 explain, but the
cries of withdraw drowned his voice, He finally
Withdrew the expression
Mr.. Gray, member Tor ripperary and one of the
Obstructionists, said the responsibility for the de-
moralizaton Of the House rested on Sir Stafford
Northcote. Strong measures should have been taken
at first.
Sir William Vermont arcOurt, Liberal member for
Oxford City, said the reason that stronger action
was not taken not on account OF the weakness
OF the House but to show the character Of the con-
tumaciousness to the country and give the OBJ
strnctionists rope enough.
Mr.. Gray cried " Hear. hear" sneerDgy
sir Patrick O'Brien. Liberal member for Kings
County, objected 10 this, and minated that Mr..
Gray was a "humbug" and :" id fool" which ex-
IA hal .;t
At 10 o'clock this morning Mr.. Bggar, Liberal
member for Cavan County came into the House, and
took the opportunity on a motion report progress
to say that he had had a good sleep and a good
breakfast, and was now ready for any amount OF
legislation.
Messrs Parnell and OConnor Power then went ont
to rest relieved by Mr.. Bggar and others. Just be
fore noon, Sir Stafford Northcota. having been adj
vised by the Right Hon Edward knatchbull-Huges-
sen. Liberal member for Sandwich to take strong
and swift action in tho matter, thanked his support
ers for the assistance he had received, and made
final appeal to the minority 70 yield; and hoped that
in the absence of the honorable gentleman, whom
be expected to arrive shortly, the Committee would
persevere with the bill.
Mr.. ODonuell affected to regard this rs threat
Of coercion and said that under the al Sed circum
stances he would retire from the contest. As long
A. il was question Of physical endurance, he and
his friends were prepared b go on.
About noon the Obstruatonists discontinued
active opposition, and &C 2:lO p. m. the bill was
completed in Committee, amidst thunders Of cheers
several times repeated he scene throughout was
animated and sometimes stormy. During the con-
test the Chairman Of the Committee Vas relieved
four times There were also several rehefs on rho
Treasury Bench. There were ALTOGETHER twenty-five
divisions Within recent history there has been no
parallel 70 the sitting. The House of Commons sat
twenty-five hours on the Slavery Emancipation
bill but not on account Of obstruction.
The House then proceeded to take mp other bills.
violent scene followed in tie discussion Of the Ju-
dic.ature ireland bill caused by Nr. Parnell, Home
Rule member for Meath.
At ten minutes past six o'clock this evening the
House adjourned.