Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-23


fierce attack on the Government in general
and the Attorney General in particular.
Webster replied, acknowledging impru-
dence, but denying the connection of the
Government with the Times case. Parnell
rose, and in few brief sentences effectually
silenced all opposition.
LONDON, March 22.-In the House of
Commons to-day Sir VIM. Vernon Har-
court, resuming the discussion regarding
the Parnell Commission, declared that Attor-
ney-GeneralW ebster' identification with the
Commission, had destroyed the impression
that the Government would be impair
tial and had added weight 10 the Times
charges. If the Attorney-General had not
advised the Government, Parliament should
not vote salary for services he had not
performed. He condemned the Attorney
Generals apology for the Pigott's forgeries
as mean, contemplate and disgraceful, and
expressed the hope that he would make
better apology.
Attorney General Webster replied that but
for the duty he owed those who trusted him
he would not have noticed the charges made
by Sir William Vernon Harcourt. If he
were capable of the conduct imputed to him
he would be disgrace to the English bar.
He was private counsel for the Times. 1t
was immsterial whether he had been right
or wrong in assuming that position, al
though it was doubtful whether he had
been prudent.
A PERTINENT QUERY.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt wanted to
know whether the Attorney-General had
the letter in which Pigott admitted his in
ability to stand cross examination. If Mr..
Soames had that letter and kept it from the
knowledge of the Attorney General he (Hsr-
COURT had no hesitation in saying that the
name of Mr.. Soames had ought to be struck
of the rolls. The Attorney General would
now doubtless tell the House when he first
learned of Pigott's character, and whether he
was informed when Houston burned Pig
otis correspondence.
In the course of the Attorney Generals
reply the Chairman called upon Xavier
O'Brien to retire for interruphng. Mr..
O'Brien denied that he had opened his
mouth The Chairman repeating the order
O'Brien, declaring that he had been silent.
7. P. O'Connor thereupon protested against
the ChaIrman's putting the lie to an honor
able member without an inquiry!
The Chairman accepted the disclaimer,
adding that Mr.. O'Brien could not deny
having repeatedly interrupted loudly, and
war ming him not to repeat such conduct.
WEBSTER WEAKENING.
MI i.
clined absolutely to say whether he had
advised the Government on any point.
None knew better than Sir William Vernon
Harcourt that he could not answer such
question. But he had never vouched to the
Government for the authenticity of the let
ters. Harcourt ought to know that no
counsel vouched for the truth of what he
proposed to prove by evidence. Harcourt's
argument that counsel ought to satisfy him.
self of the accuracy of the statements wit
ness would make was preposterous.
He accused Harcourt of asking questions
in this manner because he knew that
certain section of the press was only too
ready to turn suggestions into accusations.
For instance, there was his question as to
whether the Attorney General suggested
that Pigott should see DAILY. He never
heard of the visit till two nights ago.
Regarding Pigott, the Attorney General
argued that he had no right to keep him
from the witness box because he said he
could not stand cross-examination. He
had informed the commission and had put
Pigott's letter in Sir Charles Russell's
hands five days before Pigott went into the
box. Loud Ministerial cheers
AN ELABORATE DEFENSE.
Would the Conrission believe that Sir
Charles Russell had asked that the letter
should not be read till Pigott went into the
box? Laughter He protested strongly
against Sir Williams reference to Mr..
Soames, who who was not there to answer
the charge. In regard to Sir Williams
statement that the Times apology could
only have been written by pettifogging,
cozening knave, that knave stood before |
them at the present moment. conservative
cheering
In conclusion, he assured the gentlemen
opposite that all the charges made against |
him had failed to give him the slightest |
anxiety or single sleepless night. If the |
further charges promised against him were |
no worse than those brought tonight, he |
was bound to confess that in his own opinion /
the part he had played in the last few |
months would not be the least creditable |
portion of his career.
Messrs. O'Connor and Labouchere having |
spoken, MI. Harnell SalQ ne should not have /
intervened, but that in the language Of |
Attorney General Webster and in the |
shouts of his supporters there had been
some faint echo of Lord Salisbury's equivo-
cal language in respect to the forged letters. |
If Lord Salisbury still chose to pin the relic
of his faith to the letters, the consequences
would be upon his own head
PARNELL's CLINCHER.
In the witness box he (ParnelD had |
testified under oath that he had neither
signed, written, authorized nor known of
any of the letters, and Attorney General
Webster had not ventured to put to him a
single question. Was there any member
who would venture to express any doubt
now that the letters were forgeries?
Here there were loud cries for Mr.. Fowler.
who. Mr.. O'Connor said, had expressed
doubts; but Mr.. Fowler did not respond, |
vhereupon Mr.. O'Connor exclaimed: "He's |
a coward" But he subsequently withdrew
this expression at the request of the Chair
Mr.. James followed, expressing satisfaction
at the manner in which Attorney General
Webster had answered these charges
Mr.. Morley asserted that Sir Charles
Russell had authorized him conservative
cries of {" Where is he?''l to state that he
was entirely in accord with the opposition
in the action that they were taking. He
maintained that Attorney General Webster
had failed to answer the charges. Mr..
Gladstone, Sir Charles Russell and Messrs.
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