The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-08
THE PARNELL COMMISSION BILL.
The Parnellites Succeed in Delaying the
Third Reading,


The Parnellites Succeed In Delaying the
Third Reading.
LONDON, Aug. I'm the House OF Com
mons this evening Mr.. w. II. Smith, the
government leader, moved that ii the Par
nell inquiry bill were not passed by mid
night, the ~ o'clock rule be suspended.
The motion was adopted, and the House
proceeded to the consideration of the bill,
us amended.
Mr.. Matthews, home secretary, moved
TO insert the following:
"If any person.having been served with a
summons under this act, shall fail to ap-
pear, the commission shall have power TO
issue warrant for the arrest OF such per-
son."
lie supported the motion by stating
that when the committee stage OF the bill
was drawing toward a conclusion, Mr.. Par
nell intimated that special evidence might
be adduccd to prove that the letters pub
lished by the Times were forgerics.
Mr.. Sexton and Sir Charles Russell
agreed that the insertion OF such clause
was advisable and the motion was adopted.
Mr.. Matthews next moved that anybody
who is summoned TO attend before the COM
mission, and who refuses or fails TO attend,
shall be liable to punishment for contempt
Of the high court Of justice Of England.
MIR. Moller liberal suggested that the
giving OF evidence ought also to be made
compulsory.
Mr.. Parnell moved an amendment TO the
effect that any person refusing TO make a
full and true disclosure touching all mat
tiers Of which he might he examined,
should be liable to punishment by the high
court OF justice. The amendment was re-
ceived with cheers.
MIR. Parnell explained that his object
was to compel the 7iBles TO produce the
person who supplied the letters that had
been ascribed TO himself. ["Hear, hear. !
Mr. Matthewsheld that failure to make
a full disclosure in reply to any questions
asked would be contempt OF the commits
sion, which had full power TO deal with a
witness. The amendment, therefore, was
needless. The commission had the ALSO
lutte powers OF the high court OF justice.
Sir John Simon (Liberal) supported Mr..
ParnelPs amendment on the ground that
protection ought TO be given 10 all wit
nesscs, from whatever quarter and how.
ever involved.
Mr. T. p. O'Connor said that Irish mem.
bcrs would neither ask nor accept Ger.
tiiicate OF indemnity from the commission.
Mr.. Parnclrs amendment was rejected
by vote Of l0l 10 100.
An amendment introduced by Mr.. Clan
AZ.
sion TO report from time to time was &C.
cepted by the government and adopted.
a long discussion ensued on proposal
by Mr.. w. A. Hunter (Liberal) 20 compel
the Times 90 formulate is charges before
the opening OF the inquiry by the commits.
sion. MIR. Hunter said that the govern.
ments reception OF his proposal would
show whether their object was 10 get the
Times out OF scrape or TO get the Parnell.
ties into a scrape.
Sir Edward Clarke, solicitor.goncral,
opposed Mr.. Clancey's propoul ON the
grounds that Il would place the Times in
the position OF defendant.
Mr.. llealy moved that no accused mem.
Der Of Parliament should be detained in
prison under the crimes act during the
sitting OF the commission.
Sir William Vernon IIarcourt spoke al
length in support OF the motion. and was
followed by the solicitor-general, who nc.
cuscd him OF coming In, after an absence
Of three hours, Tor the purpose OF milan.
ing discussion which had previously
been cool and busincss-likc. The Judges.
the solicitor-gcneral said, might safely be
trusted TO do no injustice TO absent mem.
bcrs.
Mr.. l.. II. Courtney, Liberal Unionist
suggested that Mr.. Healy's object might
be attained by means OF a short proyiso,
securing the attendance Of accused per.
sons.
The government leaders accepted the
suggestion, and Mr. Ilcaly Withdrew his
motion.
Several amendments, consisting mainly
OF minor Instructions 10 the commission,
were rejected. Some comment was caused
by an incidental statement by Mr. Mat.
thews, to the effect that there wcrr many
allegations In the parncllism aud crime af.
ticlc, in support Of which II was possible
no evidence would be adduccd
At 2 O'Clock AIN. Mr.. Labouchcrc moved
10 adjourn bcdebatc
The motion was opposed by Mr.. Smith.
who appealed 10 the House 10 make fur.
Their progress with the bill. Mr.. smith
also asked II an understanding could bc
arrived at rs 10 the House nj which the
bill could be read the third time.
After remarks by Mr.. Pamcll, Mr.. La.
bouchcre Withdrew his motion.
Other new clauses were then debated
and the House adjourned at 2.4O O'Clock
am.
The Deyeiopmrnt of af,i..