The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-02
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
THE HYPoCRICY OF THE GOVERN
MENT SEEN BY MEMBERS.
Sir william Harcourt Talks Very Plainly
and Does Spare Words and Strong
Statements in Denounoing the Com
mission Scheme of Webster, ct AL.

LONDON, Aug. lon the resumption OF
the debate in the House OF Commons to.
day on the Parnell commission bill, Mr..
Baifour, chief secretary for Ireland, said
that the speech of Home Secretary Mat
thews last night, in which he said 1.-THE
judges already had the power to select
such OF the charges as they deemed worthy
OF an inquiry" contained what the gov
eminent had all along stated.
Sir Lyon Playiair. Liberal, contended
that Mr.. Matthews had extended the
scope OF the bill to an enormous extent.
MIR. Matthews now said the inquiry was
into an organization which induced crime,
whereas the House had been led to believe
that the bill was intended to enable GER
tain members to clear characters.
Mr.. Bradaugh declared that Mr. Mat
thews had made out an absolutely new
case.
Mr.. Chamberlain repeated his statement
that he would have been glad ii the range
OF the proposed inquiry had been limited,
but he said he never suggested limit re.
garding persons.
Mr.. Gladstone said the governments
covenant had been entirely and abso-
lutely changed. He said his party would
take care that the country should under
stand the proceedings. lCheers.
MIR. Balfour said that Mr.. Gladstone on
the eve OF tho inquiry had pronounced
the opinion that the Times letters were
forgeries.
Mr.. Gladstone-I said was justified in
concluding that there must be motive
for the extraordinary way in which tie let.
tiers were now being thrown into the shade.
MIR. Balfour said Mr.. Gladstone's re.
marks were most improper. lie denied
that the government had altered the bill
or changed this position.
| Mr.. Reid, Liberal, Offered an amend.
mcnt providing that the commission shall
| inquire into the charges and allegations
only in 10 far as the same may bear upon
the charges and allegations against
members. He argued that the amend
ment would not limit the inquiry 40 far
as members were concerned. In the in
tcrest oil members IL might be necessary 10
inquire into the conduct of other persons,
but lac wished TO guard against an extern
sion OF the inquiry.
Mr.. Sexton said no had gathered from
the speeches OF tho ministers and their
supporters that they only desired an in.
CURRY into the alleged completely Of mem.
bers with crime. To include the conduct
OF outside persons was irrcvclant, except
in 30 far rs II might throw light on the as
sumed guilt OF members. Mr.. Smiths
friend, Walters, at frst did not wish that
other persons should be included, but
when he visited Mr.. Smith no knew The
letters he had published in the Times
would be proved TO be forgeries; that his
| charges against members would break
down and that the only chance he had of
escaping disgrace and the ruin Of the
inns was to get rowing inquiry into the
conduct OF persons over whom members
had no control and thus mislcad the public
mind.
Mr.. Matthews said, the primary object
OF the bill is TO secure an investigation
into charges Of what have been properly
| described as a catalogue Of melancholy and
disgraceful crimes. regarding which the
government thought Il OF public import
ance that the whole truth should be
known. The inquiry is not into the con.
duct OF members rs members. but in their
capacity ~ members OF an outside organ.
nation. ] should have thought that. In
order to completely establish their inno.
concc, they would have desired the inquiry
TO DO full and complete. Mr. o'Donnei
IN published letter said that Frank
Byrno was only tho agent Of more guilty
and wicked persons.
Mr. I. T. O'Connor-Doos the right
honorable member insinnaie that he
meant us! lCries OF order and "hear,
hear"
The speaker called Mr.. o'Connor 10
had conveyed no insinuAiion against any
one. II he had intended TO make a per.
sonal charge, he would have made II In
plain terms.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said n the
proiraciion OF the debate on the hill no.
quired any justification Il would be found
in Mr.. Matthew'S speech. II was only by
persistent pressure that the opposition
were nj last beginning 10 detect the real
meaning OF the bill. tChecrs.l II now
appeared that tho governments object in
creating the commission was not 10 give
the Parnellitc members an opportunity
10 clear themselves OF foul and calumnous
charges but 10 inquire into n political
organization. II that were N, why had
not the government instituted the inquiry
long ago. lChccsl The government.
wishing 10 escape the responsibility for the
commission asserted that is formation was
proposed at the instance Of Mr.. parnell.
yet tho HOUSE was now told that the OBJ
jcct was TO inquire into a political organi.
zalion.
Mr. IIcaly said lac believed the charge in
the bill was q result Of Mr.. Walters visit
10 Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Baliour admitted that committee
Of the cabinet on July II decided 20 10.
cludc "and others In the reference 10 the
commission, aud next day the whole cab
met asscnicd.
II Mr.. smith. IN announcing the refer.
cncc In tho House, dill not read the words
and other pcrsons," Il was doubtless a
slip.
Mr.. Gladstone said he thought the con.
duct IN the ministers IN sitting silent whom
Mr.. Smith announced the commission |
leaving out these important words, deserved !
severe cenaurc.
Mr.. Goschen said he did not think that
Mr.. Gladstone, In the whole course OF his |
life. had acted ~ now. In declining the NJ. |
cogniSc the truth Of minister's words. |
No rhetoric could not alter the fact that /
the intentions Of the Government from the |
first were 90 include "olhcr persons. ("
Mr.. Gladslons said he had not the 1
smallest intention a. deal with the matter |
as q question involving the truthiuluess Of |
the government, but tho statement of the
government was not rational nor intclligi. |
bic. tChccr.l
Sit Nm. Vernon lIarcourt said that tho
whole courp Of the government h.d bcrn
=. ..f,ta.l o., aa.srf,t 81. a