The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-03-22
THE GOVERNMENT PLACED UNDER FIRE
BY the Motion to Reduce the Salary
of Secretary 5aIfour.
Cries of PIgott Again Heard In the
House OF Commons.
Chamberlain Sits with the Tories
During the Division.

LONDON, March 2l.-ln the House Of Com
mons this afternoon, Baron Henry de
Warns, Parli amentary Colonial Secretary,
read a telegram received from Cape Town in
reply to inquiries concerning Capt. Seagroye,
Who commanded the police at the Mitchells-
town riots in 1887. The telegram said that
Capt. Seagroye was dismissed from the Cape
infantry service in 1885 tor gross neglect of
duty and breach of trust. The reading OF
the despatch was followed by scene Of
great disorder. The Irish members rose and
cheered, and there were cries of "Pigott,
Pigott," and Remember Mitchellstown."
When quiet was restored Mr.. Balfour, Chief
Secretary Tor Ireland, said he had suspended
Seagroye, but preferred not to dismiss him
until documentary evidence Of his guilt was
received. Home Secretary Matthews ad
mitted that Police Inspector Andrews had
visited America since the passage OF the
Parnell commission bill but he did not know
whether Andrews had seen LeCaron there.
On the vote on Mr.. Balf0ur's salary Mr..
Morley severely criticized the governments
action In carrying on "furtiye and clandes-
tine battle behind their opponents backs
Mr.. Bradlaugh moved that Mr.. Balfour's
salary he reduced by G500. The motion was
rejected 262 to 211.
Mr.. Morley adduced a mass Of details re-
spectiDg the witnesses for the Times with a
view of disproving the governments profess
sion OF neutrality. The details were mainly
drawn from facts elected by daily question
ing In Parliament Mr.. Balfour professed
that he had not followed the proceedings of
the Parnell Commission with much interest.
That was surprising. One would have ex-
pected the minister who fired the train would
have curiosity enough to note the result of
explosion. In regard to the proposed vote Of
censure, 1t would be irrational to propose 1t
now because Of fresh disclosures made daily.
1t would come in good time.
Mr.. Balfour, amid continued opposition
and laughter, denied the charge that the
government was connected with the Times
through Houston and Piggott as
a scandalous and unfounded libel
The opposition, he said, revelled in libel
while affecting to regard 1t as the most
shocking of crimts They charged Houston
with having acted in completely with Pigott,
but declined to examine Houston when in
vited. He thought 1t would be moe deco
r0us for the gentlemen opposite to refrain
from comments renewed laughterl or
asking how it was that witnesses were in
timidated. Mr.. Balfour was called to order
by the chairman. Continuing, he said the
government volunteered no information for
the purposes OF the commission, but what it
was willing to give to either side when re-
quired.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said Mr..
Baifour misapprehended Mr.. Morley's case
The fact that the Irish constables were sub
bOcHdcu uiu uUb udkO III ucCcoodlJ lOE tucll
to remain months in London unless perform
ing distinct services for the Times. The
speaker raised laugh by show
ing how the statements Of Messrs. Mat
thews and Balfour confiicted.
Il. Il. OCOnnOr was called to order for
charging Lord Salisbury and Balfour with
trying TO galvanized the Parnell forgerles in
to life again. An exciting scene ensued and
O'Connor twice refused to withdraw the re-
mark so far as concerned Lord Salisbury.
amid approving cries Of his colleagues. The
chairman appealed to members on both sides
to assist In keeping order, but did not fur
ther insist on the withdral of O'ConnOr's
LenlarR. y oonnUr cna,gsu snS ai.es Win
When the division was called Mr.. Cham
berlain crossed the House and sat chatting
with Mr.. Richie, member Of the cabinet.
His resence on the ministerial side of the
House called forth from the opposition hila-
rlous cries Of: "At last In your proper
place."