New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-20
EMBARRASSING QUERIES FOR MR. SMITH.
SOME OF THEM gle DOESN'T CARE TO ANSWER
A VOTE ON MONDAY.

VOTE ON MONDAY.
London, July 19.-In the House OF Commons this
afternoon. Mr. Summers. Liberal. asked whether. IN
view of the fact that Attorney General Webster acted
for " The Tines leading counsel in defending the
suit brought against it by O'Donnell, Mr.. Smith would
undertake that the Attorney General should not attend
another Cabinet meeting which matters relating 10
the investigation Of the charges contained In The
Timess7 articles on Parnesm and Crime7 were
considered.
MIR. Smith, decline to give any such undertaking.
Mr. Summers then asked what the future position
Of Attorney Webster would be in regard TO the
progress and operation Of the Special Commission BILL
and Sir Wifrid Lawson, Liberal, asked whether At
orney- General Webster attended the Cabinet meeting
on the day that Mr.. Smith announced the G,vern-
mcnt's proposal to appoint commission OF judges
Mr.. Smith, decline to any question OF that
nature and TO the other question CMr Summers 81
that depend upon the course takcn by the mem
bcrs respecting the bill and it's operation
Mr.. Sexton asked whether 1t was with the Attor-
Generals assent that the Government last year
offered him counsel to certain members II they
would bring suit against The Times whether 1t was
with the Governments assent that the Attorney Gen
eral became The Times's7 counsel whether the Gov
crnment supplied the Attorney-G General with any
material for his speech as The Timess' counsel
whether tho Government Will continue to consult the
Attorney General in reference to tho Commission bill
and the constitution of the commission; whether II
/
fore the Commission counsel for The Ilnes,' ana
whether the Governments offer TO allo the Attorney
General as counsel for the Parneites was still open
Mr.. Smith replied :" The Governments ofer OF
1887 that II members desired TO take proceedings
against The Times they could be taken in the name
of Attorney General Webster and could be conducted
by any counsel the members might name. Tho offer
was made with the Attorney Generals consent II
was not with the Governments assent or dissent that
the Attorney General retained by The Times 10
defend the suit brought by O'Donnell lie was re-
taincd By The Times in his private character as
counsel The Government did not supply him with
any material for his speech
Z" decline to make any statement OF the course the
Government will pursue in regard to consulting the
Attorney General II will be in the power Of The
Times 10 engage the Attorney General attend the
inquiries of the Commission IN It's behalf II II sees
fit. In accordance with professional practice. the
Governments offer IS no longer open II applied en-
trely 10 a ferent state Of things
Mr.. Labouchcre asked whether the Attorney Gen
eral as legal adviser Of the Home Olce, had oppOr
tunity of learning facts which other people did not
enjoy.
/ Mr. smith-The Attorney General had no informa-
ton whatever from the Home Office.
Mr.. sexiOn-Will the Government consult the At
tOrncy General as 10 the Judges who Will constitute
the Commission
Mr.. smh-The Government Will retain full liberty
OF action in that respect
Replying 10 Mr. Pamcll, Mr.. Smith said he pro
posed TO take the question the bill between ; and
10 o'clock Monday evening.
/ A LARGE EXTENSION OF FRANCHISE IN ITALY.
/ Pone Julv Chamber Of DcDutles TO-DAY,