The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-24
THE BILL ON EXPLOSIVES.
Text of the Measure Recently Passed
by the British Parliament,
Under the Operations of Which MI Parnel
Finds It Inexpedient to Attend the
Philadelphia Convention.

plosive substances, recently passed in Eng
land, consists of nine clauses, the text Oh the
first five being as follows:
/. This act may be cited as the explosive
substances act, 1888.
q Any person who unlawfully and mali
Ciously causes by any explosive substance an
explosion of a nature likely to endanger life
or to cause serious injury to property shall,
whether any injury to person or property
has been actually caused or not, be guilty OF
felony and on conviction shall be liable to
penal servitude for life, or for any less term
mot less than the minimum term allowed
by law or to imprisonment with or with
out hard labor for a term not exceeding two
years.
g. Any person who unlawfully and mali
ciously (a) does any act with intent to cause
by an explosive substance, or consplres
within or (being subject OF Her Majesty
without Her Majesty's dominions, to cause
by an explosive substance explosion of
nature likely to endanger life or to cause
serious injury to property; or (b) makes or
has in his possession or under his control
any explosive substance with intent by
means thereof to endanger life, or cause
serious injury to property, or to enable any
other person by means thereof to endanger
life or cause serious injury to property,
shall, whether any explosion does or does
not take place, and whether any injury to
person or property has been actually caused
or not be guilty of felony, and on convic-
ton shall be liable to penal servitude for
term not exceeding twenty years, or to i'm
prisonment with or without hard labor for a
term not exceeding two years, and the ex-
plosive substance shall be forfeited.
A. ~ Any person who makes or knowing
" has in his possession or under his control
any explosive substance, under such circum-
stances as to give rise to a reasonable sus-
picon that he is not making it or does not
have it in his possession or under his control
Co. n 10 ftlO hall no
that he made it or had it in his possession or
under his control for lawful object, be
guilty of felony, and, on conviction, shall be
liable to penal servitude for term not ex-
ceeding fourteen years, or to imprisonment
for term not exceeding two years, with or
without hard labor and the explosive sub
stance shall be forfeited (2.) In any pro-
ceedngs against any person for crime
under this section, such person and his wife,
or husband, as the case may be, if such per
son thinks fit, may be called, sworn, ex-
amned and cross-examined as an ordinary
witness in the case.
g. Any person who by the supply of or
solicitation of money, the providing of
premises, the supply of materials orin any
manner whatsoever procures, counsels, aids,
abets or is accessory to the commission OF
any crime under this act shall be guilty of
felony, and shall be liable to be tried and
punished for that crime as if he had been
guilty as principal,
general has reasonable ground to believe that
any crime under this act has been committed
he may order an inquiry, and that any
justice, authorized by the Attorney-general
although no person may be charged before
him, NAV examine upon oath concerning
the crime any witness appearing before him,
and may bind such witness by recogniZance
to appear and give evidence; and if the
justice suspects that a witness may be
about to abscond he may issue his warrant
for the arrest of such witness, and may com
nit him to prison until the time when he is
bound to give evidence. Clause provides
that no prosecution shall be taken except by
leave of the Encouragement. Clause pro-
vides that search for and seizure of explo-
sives under sections 70, IA, 70, 80 and SO of
the explosives act QS75) shall apply in like
manner as if a crime or forfeiture under this
act were an offense or forfeiture under the
act of 1875. The master or owner of a vessel
may, if he has reasonable cause of suspicion,
search for on board his vessel and throw
overheard if found any goods of dangerous
nature, and shall be entitled to deal with the
same in accordance with the merchant ship
ping act (1S73). Clause 8 contains definitions
and notifications for the application of the
act to Scotland.
Parnen Will Not Attend the Convention.
Cable Special to Boston Globe.
Mr.. Parnell tactly admitted to-day that
the explosives bill made it at least impru-
dent for him to attend the Philadel phia con-
vention of lrishmen. Sir William Harcourt,
the mover of the bill, is reported to have
said yesterday that the explosives bill would
do more to disarm the Irish in America than
all else that had ever been done in that direc-
ton by the British government. Mr.. Par
nell does not deny that up to the 9th of
April he had strong hopes of being able to
Oft he olol lob;
at that date he had completed many prepa-
rations for an extended absence from Lon
don. He declines to state whether he had
engaged with any committees in America to
go to Philadelphia, but he frankly says that
he very much regrets that circumstances
have arisen compelling him to decline the
strong invitations extended to hiEi by near
ly all the Irish societies in America
Section is the section which, it is argued,
would have made Mr.. Parnell's attendance at
the Philadelphia convention felony. pun
lShabie under the explosives bill, provided
the convention should adopt or approve Of
any policy which the British government
should choose to construe as leading to any
violation of the act. Englishmen are begin
ming to believe that this new and acute move
on the part of the government will bring
about the complete disintegration of the
Land League National League and kindred
organizations by making it nearly impossible
Tor American members to even communicate
win those remaining at home as British sub
jects without subjecting the latter to arrest,
confinement and punishment under some
section of the bill.
How the Law Works in England.
London Special
The Home Secretary has been overwhelmed
with letters and petitions reminding him of
the trade interests which may be- even if
hey are not already, seriously involved. and
members of the House OF Commons are in
receipt of petitions urging the necessity of
immediate changes in the law. The principal
ts..: hc. Cor Ii r.1.tl,: frc.,,