Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-23
FOREIGN intelligence.
Knappe Feels the CheStnutS Hot
in His Palm.
Members Of the Copper Syndicate Find
Themselves Stripped.


LONDON, March %.
In the House of Co"amons TO-DAY, Sir
William Vernon ilirHour 'esumiug tfe dis
cussion regarding the parnell commission
declared that Attorney General Webster's
identification with the commission DESTROYED
the impression that the government would be
impartial and added weight to the Times
charges. If the attorney general bad not
advised the government parliament should
not vote a salary for services that hal not
| been performed, He condemned the at
torney generals apology for the Pigott for
geres as mean, contemplate and disgrace
full, and expressed the hope that he would
make better apology
Attorney General Webster replied that but
for the duty which he owed those who trusted
him he would not notice the charges made
by IIarIourt. If he was capable of the con-
duct imputed to him he would be disgrace
to the English bar. He was private counsel
for the Times. 1t was immaterial whether
he was right or wrong in assuming that po-
stion. 1t was doubtful whether be had
been prudent.
Harcourt wanted to know whether the at
torney general had letter in which Pigott
admitted his inability to stand cross e1smin-
alton; if Soames had a letter and kept it
from the knowledge of the attorney general.
lie HAu nD utsitatlOn III saying tUat tft name
of Soames ought to be stricken from the
rolls. The attorney general would doubtless
tell the House when he first learned Pgott's
character and whether he was informed
when Houston burned Piyott's correspor-
dence. In the course of the attorney gem
era's reply. the chairman called upon Xavier
q 'Brieu TO retire for interrupting
O'Brien denied that he had opened his
mouth.
The chairman repeating his order to retire,
Pinkerton corroborated O'Brien.
T. p. O'Connor protested against the
chairman putting the lie to an honorable
member without inquiry
The chairman accepted the disclaimer,
| adding that 0Brien could not deny that he
had repeatedly interrupted loudly, and
warned him not to repeat his conduit.
| The attorney general declined absolutely
| to saw whether he had advised the govern
ment on any point lie had never vouched
to the government for the Authenticity of the
letters. Harcourts argument that the coun-
sci ought to satisfy himself of the accuracy
of the statements of the witnesses, would
make it preposterous.
| He accused Hareourt Of asking questions
| because he knew certain section Of the
press was only too really to turn the sugges-
tions into accusations. Regarding Pigott,
the attorney general argued that he hal no
right to keep hun from the witness box be-
| because he said he could not stand cross ex-
animation. He informed the commission
that he had put Pfgott's letter in Sir Charles
Russelrs hands FIVE days before Pizott went
| into the box. Loud ministerial cheers He
protested against Sir Williams references
to Soames, who was not there to answer to
| the charges.
| In regard to Sir Williams statement that
the Times apology had only been writer By
| a petifogging, coSerner knsve, knave that
| stood before them the present moment. ICON
servatiye cheers) he assured the gentlemen
opposite that all charges made against him
failed to give him the slightest
anxiety or a single sleepless night. If fur
ther charges promised no worse. in his own
opinion the part he had played the last few
months " 1uld not be the least creditsble por-
ton of his career.
O'Conno. and Labauchere having spoken.
Parnell said he should no, have intervened.
but in the language of Attorney General
Webster. the shouts OF his supporters and the
faint echo of Lord Salisbury in his equivocal
language in respect to the forged letters If
/ ord Salisbury still chose to pin the II lies Of
bis faith to those letters the consequences
! must fall upon his own head. In the witness
box Parneli testified he had neither signed,
7 written, authorised or knswn Of ary Of the
. letters The attorney general has not ven.
!. tured to put . single question, nor vas there