New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-28
PRIVILEGE OF THE HOUSE.
"A LIVELY SCENE PROVOKED BY CON
STABLES INDISCRETION.


wAsHINGToN-coNTRoL OF THE PoLIoE-A
POOR SHOWING OF PICTUREs-THE DUKE
OF MARLBoRoUGH's LATEST QUAR-
REL-THE DUCHESS OF sUTHER-
LAND-MR. BRIGHT.
fBY CABLE IRIBUSB.l
oepyr,s {; 1888: BY The Ne,o York Tribune
London, Nov. 81" Whatsoever they please is
breach of privilege" said Selden; whatsoever
they dislike is breach of privilege" Selden was
q great lawyer. and something more His dctini-
ton remains good to this day. The Sheehy in
cident on Monday is a perfect illustration of its
accuracy. The cry of privilege" is a red rag to
the House, even when an rishman raises it. If
he had actually been arrested. the general indig-
nation on both sides could not have been greater.
What actually happened was that laundering
constable sent in his card to Mr.. Sheehy with his
name on it, jeremiah Sullivan" and the initials,
.R I c. which every Irishman recognizes
meaning Royal Irish Consabulary. Mr.. Sheehy
s.ems not to have noticed them He went out
and was civilly asked by Sullivan to step outside
and accept a summons under the Crimes Act. Mr.
Sheeby says the phrase was " step aside," but the
difference is not material He saw his chance of
making capital out of the constabe's indiscretion
and went back and told the House his version
of what had happened. The usual scene followed.
Mr. Bradlaugh. Mr. IIanbury, Sir William Har-
court, Mr.. Sexton, Sir George Trevelyan, Mr
Healy Mr.. O'Connor and many more members
jndulged in heroics about the dignity of the House
Mr. Hanbury, who is Tory, called it a gross
outrage Mr.. Balfour and Mr. Smith expressed
deep grief at the untoward incident. No order
for the summons had come from the Government.
Committee of Inquiry was moved for, granted
and appointed 1t sat forthwith, heard MIR.
Sbeehy and Sullivan, summoned Sullivans su-
frOm Ireland and adjourned TILL
Thursday. BY that time the House may have
grown cool.
The report Of the committee, which, counting
Mr.. Hanbury, contains majority of Ar Sheehys
friends will, OF course, offer fresh occasion for
heated debate. The public, however, has of late
years grown used to violations of the dignity OF
the House. and looks on with no great concern.
The Home Rulers naturally make the most they
can of the matter, and Home Rule journals to-day
are lively reading Mr.. I. p OCOnnor's Star
is the hvcliest of all Ii lil>ens Mr.. Balfour TO
Charles the First cries aloud for revenge, ana
appeals to Holborn for justice.
News from Suakim increases in seriousness. 1t
is admitted that the present garrison Is unable
10 drive of the besieging force. Suaklm itself
cannot be taken, for the causeway by which it
must be approached is commanded by British gun
boats, but neither can the native entrcnchments
be carried, nor their fire silenced. There is talk
of sending more British troops to Suakim, and
questions are asked in the House of Commons.
Mr.. Stanhope said troops would certainly be
sent if needed but no more than were needed
TO dslodge the rebels.
Lord Randolph Churchills advice to Lord Sal
isbury to appoint successor to Lord Sackvllle
forthwith has been declined with thanks; so Mr..
Smiths answer TO Mr.. Gourey in the House of
(on,mons ,vas understood fo signify. But there
is some feeling on the matter and some sound
Tories interpret this answer meaning no more
than that Lord Salisbury has not yet made up
his mind. Lord Randolph, / hear, considers 1t
SO important that unless something Is done he Will
call the attention of the House TO the subject
The House has really nothing to do with sending
diplomatists abroad and if Lord Randolph speaks
il will be to put pressure on the Government
indirectly. Many members of the House agree
with him, and the Opposition may be trusted
TO back him up if he wishes to be disagreeable
TO the Prime Minister. There is outside the
House very little interest in the matter.
Sir Charles Warren is still Acting Chief of
Police. There has been keen contest for his
place ending, it is said, in the selection OF a
man physically incapable of discharging all Its
duties, Mr.. Monro. lie Mr.. Matthew's can
didate and Lord Salisbury sided with him on
the ground that the Home Secretary was respon-
sble for the police. and ought to be allowed TO
choose their chief Mr.. MOnro's lameness prevents
him from mounting horse and would prevent
him also from commanding IN persCL as Sir
Charles did when riot occurred. Mr..
Monro's manner of dischargng his duties as head
detective was one OF the subjects on which Mr.
Matthews and Sir Charles come into collision.
The delay in announcing his name was supposed
70 be due 10 delay OF the Queens approval, but
the report this afternoon is that MIR. Matthews
may not have his way after all.
Mr.. Whistlers retirement from the presidency
OF the Society of British Artists has brought back
tn. Phistines in full force, or rather in all their
feebleness There are few good pictures IN the
exhibition Just opened, and those which are goOd
are not painted by members Of the society.
The Duke of Marlboroughs quarrel with the
rector of Woodstock has drawn forth letter from
the rector The Duke, he says. has not closed the
schools, and has no power to close them. lie
has withdrawn his subscription. but it was only
$50. not $500, as reported. lie has forbidden the
rector to give religious instruction in other schools
which seem to be under the DUKES cohtfoI'
Finally he has withdrawn the reCtors privilege
Of driving through Blcnhem Park. The rector
it must be said put himself in the wrong originally
ny assuming TO pronounce against the Vandity
of the Dukes recent marriage Whether the DUKE
could not afford 10 ignore this, is a question
which perhaps can Only be answered in Woodstock
The Duchess of Sutherland's death is sincerely
regretted, but socially will have little enect IN
London, except that of putting number OF fam
ines into mourning. Stafford House has rarely
been opened of late. The Duchess has for many
years had not only the respect but. for reasons
widely known, the deep syInpathies of society.
These reasons are known in America, too, and
need not here be repeated. The Dukes absence
at such moment, the circumstances of his journey,
and his companionship are commented on with
severity The Queens journey to London and visit