Morning journal and courier., 1885-07-28
Lady Clerks Must Go.
A Leading Radical Figures in q Revolting Social Scandal Which is Likely to Eye a Disastrous POlitical Effect on His Party.


 is Likely to Fre a Disastrous
 Political Effect on His Party.
 LONDON, July 27.-A sensational expose is now threatened which bids fair to eclipse even that lately made by the Pall Mall Ga zette The story was matter of current gossip tonight in the clubs of the West End and in the lobbies of the House of Com mons. In fact 50 greatly were the members of the latter body engrossed in the discus sion of the scandal that the ordinary business of legislation was practically suspended. The facts in the case are believed to be unques- tionable, but such strenuous efforts are be- ing made to keep them out of the public prints that it is doubtful if the parties to the revolting affair will be mentioned by name by any of the morning papers in view of suits for libel in the attempt to effect com promise succeeds. The matter has now been whispered around too generally to prevent it's becoming property even without the in tervention of the press.
 The following are the leading details of the story which have been circulating more or less obscurely for three weeks past: One of the most noted Radical members of the last cabinet, widower, was recently accompa- nied to his own private residence by the wife of gentleman of considerable note in Lon don. The couple entered 8 bedroom, dis robed and retired to bed. To her horror and alarm the erring wife found the bed occupied by third person, woman. She flew into a passion, bitterly upbraided the famous politician for entrapping her into situation which endangered her reputation and after a stormy scene she dressed and made her exit from the house. These facts soon leaked out probably through indiscretion, jealousy or desire for revenge on the part of the woman who was the first occupant of the apartment on the night referred to. The story soon reached the ears of the lady's husband and aroused in him such furious wrath that he swore to expose the whole affair and ruin forever the lecherous statesman. Proceedings to this end were begun, but immediately such powerful influences were brought to bear behalf of the accused that for the time pub licity was averted, while a noble earl and a very popular member of the House of Com mons, both of whom were colleagues of the unfortunate Radical in the late cabinet and to whom he had appealed in his trouble, strove to bring about 8 settlement of the affair They were spurred on in their endeavors not only by personal friendship, but by the knowledge of the fact that an exposure of the matter would have a serious effect upon po- litical affairs in the near future. The hero of this unhappy event has been looked for ward to as one of the pillars of strength of the new coalition party which the Radicals are striving to form and his downfall would be a serious and perhaps fatal blow to that promising scheme. The English people can not be expected to give their support to party whose leaders private character had been utterly wrecked. It is asserted that enormous sums of money have been offered to the deceived husband as an induce ment to silence, but the bribes have been re- jected with scorn and it is believed this even 41,,Sx, hox, nounced useless and that in all probability the whole affair will become publicly known tomorrow.
 The members of both houses of Parliament fully recognize the important effect which the scandal is likely to have in the coming election and they are variously affected by it. The Tories beside themselves with joy, believing that the exposure will dam age the chances of the Liberals on account of their close political relations and affiliations with the Radical factions. The Liberals are correspondingly blue and it is said the sums of money before mentioned as having been offered in the hope of obtaining silence were consented to by the members of the Liberal party as a contribution from them selves and their followers. On the other hand the Tories are understood to be using every possible means to whet the anger of the injured husband and to encour- age his intentions to push the Radical leader to the wall, knowing that they would reap benefit from his so doing The counte- nances of several of the members of the pres ent cabinet showed that these gentlemen were in very satisfied frame of mind over something. The fact that the person who is the subject of gossip is confined to his house and excuses himself from political activity on the plea of illness has not had tendency to allay the existing excitement. In the lob bies of Parliament the subject was looked at of course principally in relation to it's polit- ical effects. But in the clubs and other places of social resort where it was discussed tonight the peculiar features of the scandal itself were the topic most commented upon. Coming as this revelation does upon the heels of the horrible exposures by the Pall Mall Gazette the confirmation of the existence of such practices among persons of the highest social, intellectual and political status is con sidered as highly significant. The outcome of the affair is awaited with the greatest in terest in all quarters.