The new North-west., 1882-05-19
ENGLAND's RETRIBUTIoN,
a Bill for the Repression or
Crime in ireland.
PROPOSED REVIVAL FTHE ALIEN
ACT.

LONDON, May 11.-In the Commons, Har
= court, Home Secretary, introduced bill fo
b the repression of crime in Ireland. He char
acn'rized the prevalence of crime there as
national disgrace. He said: "The time ha.
q arrived for the entire House to unite in TAX
A Ing steps to repress 1t. The case we deplert
to-day Is not solitary crime. 1t is plague
spot on Ireland, and believe the Irish peo
pie desire Its removal. 1t springs from Sc.
, cret societies, and must be extirpated. The
mainspring of crime is the expectation ol
immunity from punishment, which is only
TOO well founded. The Government has
therefore, concluded 1t is necessary, In those
places where the ordinary law is not observ-
ed, that special tribunals, consisting of three
Judges, be appointed by the Lord Lieuten-
ant to try cases without jury, and the judg-
ment Of the Court must be unanimous. An
appeal can be made TO the Supreme Court,
the judgment of the latter to be given by a
majority of the Judges. The Supreme Court
may diminish, but cannot increase, the Sc
verify of the sentences. Parliament will be
asked 10 provide special remuneration for
the special Judges.
The bill also contains the following pro-
visions: 1t gives power to search for secret
apparatus of murder, such as arms, threaten
Ing letters, ETC.; power to enter houses by
| day or night, under warrant of the Lord
Lieutenant; power to arrest persons prowl-
Ing about at night, and unable to give an ac-
count Of themselves, who are to be dealt
with summarily; power to arrest strangers,
as crimes are generally committed by foreign
emissaries, the hospitality of England not
being for such persons as agents of O'Dono-
van Rossa; and power to remove foreigners
considered dangerous to the peace. The
Government, therefore, intends to revive the
Alien Act. Secret societies will be dealt
with summarily, and membership therein |
shall constitute an offense under this act. |
Cases of aggravated assault will be treated in |
summary manner. Power is given to re-
press intimidation and unlawful meetings,
the latter to be dealt with summarily.
Newspapers containing sedltious and in
hammatory matter are to be suppressed, and
the proprietors required to enter into recog-
niZance not to repeat the ofiense. Justices
can compel the attendance of witnesses about
to abscond, and the Lord Lieutenant can ap-
point additional police, where necessary, at
the cost of the districts concerned. Com
for murder aud outrage will be re-
quired of the districts where they occur.
Outrages are to be dealt with summarily by
tho courts, which are to consist of two sti-
pendisry magistrates. The Government re-
serves for consideration any further atera-
ton in the jury system.
The Home Secretary admitted that the
bill was extraordinary. The operation of
he bill will be limited to three years. He
aid the Government would do all in its
'ower to prevent innocent persons suffering
rom the action of the bill. lie added that .
he bill placed almost unlimited authority in
he hands of the Lord Lieutenant, and con-
luded by stating that the measure will
hortly be followed by one dealing with ar ,
ears of rent.
Harcourt stated that the Government had .
The question of instituting mill.
airy tribunal, but had come to the conclu-
ion that resort TO such a measure was un-
There was ample testimony that
he heart of Ireland was sound, but Ireland
vas suffering from the bane of secret socie-
les. He added that the Lord Lieutenant Is
o have power to proclaim districts to which
his act may be applied.
Sir Stafford Norhcote said the Opposition Il
Iesired to give The Government all the as 81
istance in their power, but held them re- Il
ponsible for the way in which they dis C
harged their duty. fl
Forster said that in his belief force was no Il
emedy, but it was often necessary, aud was a
ever more necessary than now. el
John Bright said the bill was not aimed at I'll
olitical opponents, bat against crime. He al
eclared If he were Irish he should rather 1t
'elcome measure which would enable the b
eople to pursue their daily duties in conf III
ence. Protection would now afforded ct
Y law. III