The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-25

judicial inquiry, and thoroughly unfair TO
the accused, and must be amended in
committee.
The solicitor-general for Scotland re-
proved the previous speaker for his inn
putations upon the competence OF the
commission. He had fiagrantly misrepre-
scented the purport OF the bill. Why was
the opposition afraid Of the widest inquiry?
II the Parnelites were acquitted the ac-
quittal would restore them 10 ranks OF good
men. Until acquitted they stood stained
and suspected.
4. NJ. Healy denounced Sir Richard
Webster for making series of infamous
charges and then declining to prove them.
Patrick Ford was rs honest a man as
Sir Richard Webster-he ought to say an
honester man. Cries Of Hear! hear"
The Irish members must decline to submit
to fishing inquiry. They wanted def
mite charges. The commission might say
to him: "You were born in 1855. What
did YOU do nextY' laughter and so they
might go on. The inquiry to be effective
must be definite.
Several other members having spoken,
Sir Richard Webster said that the part
he had taken in the O'Donnell action
precluded his taking part in the debate
In regard to the charges against him he
was content to leave his conduct to
the judgment OF those who had
had experience OF him in his profession
He thought IL right, however, to state
that every step in that action he had taken
after consultation with the full concur
renee OF Sir Henry James. Shouts OF oh,
oh, and derisive cheers. lie was quite
prepared for those cheers, but he was not
ashamed to own that he had taken advice.
Sir Henry James had had experience.
Upon him (Webster) rested the
responsibility in the matter.
lie proceeded to explain that
after Mr.. Ruegg, 0Donnell's counsel, had
made a prima facie case, he (Webster)
was compelled to open tho whole OF his
case in reply and then fully expected to
have to prove IL In detail. In repelling
Sir VIM. Harcourt's attack which he char
acterized as unjust, ho said he should
have been unworthy to be member Of
the bar ii he had used information OBJ
tanned Us counsel for the Times to institute
q prosecution in his official capacity.
[Cheersl.
Mr.. Parnell, upon rising, was received
with cheers, asked: "Are we TO under
stand that information was put into the
hands OF the learned gentleman as counsel
for the Times which is not available for the
purpose OF public justice?" [Shouts OF
"0h, OH
Sir Richard Wcbster-This observation
does not in the least bear on the matter.
lPamellite cries OF answer the ques-
tion," compelled the speaker to call for
order.
Sir Richarn Webster, proceeding, said
that no case which had been prepared 10
prove on behalf OF the Times would be
brought forward by the Times again. "A
voice. why do you support this bill?'l
lie had abstaincd from using knowledge
obtained in that action, either directly
or indirectly, in his official ca.
pacity. lie believed that the at
lacks against him arose from the
chagrin Of certain unayowcd advisers Of
O'Donnell, described as three leading
Gladstonian lawyers and commoners. They
had tried TO t'run Cunning" and had
failed, and they were angry with him be-
cause he frankly opened the whole case.
Loud cheers The bill passed the sec.
ond reading without division. The com.
mittee stage was fixed for Monday.