Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-20

The Atterney-osnerai's night 60 Ap-
pear su Cessain salts Questioned.

| by Angio-American cable TO tts Dispstch.l
LONDON, July 19.-In the Houpe Of Com
mons this afternoon Mr.. Summers Nberal)
asked whether in view Of the fact that After
y-General Webster acted for the Tines az
leading counsel In defending the suit brought
against Il by ODopnell, Mr.. Smith would M.
dertake that the AttorneysGeneral should
not attend any Cabinet meeting al which mat
ters relating to the investigation OF the
charges contained 10 the Tames's article on
"Parnellism and Crime" were considered.
Mr.. Smith answered: ~ decline to give
any such undertaking."
| Mr. Summers then asked what the future
position of Mr.. Webster wouidN be In regard
to the progress and operation OF the special
commission bill. aud Sir Wilired lawson
! (LibergD asked whether Mr.. Webster attend
ed the Cabinet meeting on the daF that
Smith announced the Governments propo-
tal 10 appoint the commission OF judges.
Mr.. Smith: at decline to answer any
| question Of that nature; and 80 10 the other
question ;summers'sL that must depend upon
tue course taken by tue members respecting
the bill aud its operation"
Dir. Sexton asked whether II was with Mr..
| Webster's assent that the Government last
| year offered him 81 counsel TO certain men,
bers II they would bring suits against the
| Times; whether It was with the Govern
ment's assent that Blr. Webster became
the Iimess counsel; whether the Govern
ment will continue 10 consult Mr.. Webster
in reference TO the commission bill and the
const tuition OF the commission; whether II
would be open TO Mr.. Webster 10 appear be-
fore the commission rs counsel for the Times,
and whether the Governments offer 10 ailot
him a. counsel for the ParHelIites was still
| open.
Mir. smith: "The Governments offer OK
| 1857 was that II members desired 10 take pro-
cesdings against the Times they could be
taken in the name Of Mr.. Webster, and could
be conducted by any counsel the members
might name. The offer was made with Mr..
webster's consent. 10 was not with the
Governments assent or dissent that Mr..
Webster was retained nv the Times TO defend
the suit brought by 0Donnell. He was re-
tsined BY the 1Saes IN his private character
9s counsel. The Government did not supply
him with any material for bis speech. ! de-
| cline to make any statement OF the course the
Government will pursue in regard to con-
sultDg the Acknowledgement. IL viii be in
! the power OF the Times TO engsge Mr.. Web
ster TO attend 10 inquiries OF the commission
in is behalf II Il thinks IL In accordance with
professional practice. The Governments
offer ia no longer omen. 1t applied entirely
to a different state Of things"
Mr.. LaooucheTe asked whether the Attor-
ney-General, as the legal adviser OF the Home
Office, had the opportunity OF learning the
facts which other persons did not enjoy.
Mr.. Smith 1.-THE Attorney-General bad
no Interrogation whateye. from the Home
| Once"
Mr. Sexton Will the Government con-
suit the Auorney-General o. to the Judges
who will constitute The commisIony"
Mr. smith "Tbe Government VIII retain
! full liberty Of action in that respect"
Replying TO Mr.. Parncil. Mr. smiih said
| he proposed TO take the Question on the bill
between aud 10 O'Clock Monday evening.
| LONDON, July 10.-Thc Standard 10 an
| editorial says that the Government has pre-
pared the names Of the judges 10 constitute
| the commission asked for by ParneIl on Mon
Gay. The Government will not agree to any
| change.
Tho House OF Commons furnished The new
clauses Of the local government bill this eye'
ming. Conybeare tried to stalk out" the
second reading OF the Damn drainage bill,
but closure was enforced and the bill passed
the second reading. All the Parnelliics, with
the exception OF Bigger, left the House IN a
body. with many Radicals, rs aprolest against
the exclusion OF debate.