The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-26
Hs Denies That He Knew Tha
Piggott Discredited Himself.
The Knowledge OF His Forgeries
Was a Complete Surprise.
Webster Was Led Away by the
Political Phase of the Case.
Sir william Vernon Harcourt Insists
That the Attorney. General Knew
Piggott's Character for Months
General Foreign News.

LONDON, March 25.-In the House OF Com
mons this afternoon Sir Charles RE" III,
who, upon rising was loudly cheercd, said
he intended making astatcmcnt regarding
the speech made by Atiomey.Gcncral Web
ster in the House ON Friday last, lie read
a letter which he had written 10 Mr.. Web
stcr, in which he said that he did not believe
that Mr., Webster hal been correctly re-
ported. II was absolutely incorrect TO say
that before Piggotts examination or before
Piggott He'd, hc (Russoll) had received imior-
nation direct or indirect, 10 the effect that
Piggott discredited the value OF his own
testimony. II was absolutely incorrect to
say that he had either called for or referred
20 letters conveying such information.
Attornoy-Gcnoral Webster, In reply 10 the
speakers letter, had written that he believed
he had handed such letters TO him, but that
he would have 10 refer 10 his shorthand
notes for confirmation. Tho Attorney
General was mistaken in supposng that he
had gwen him live days before Piggott had
testified letters discrcditing PiFgotts eyi.
dencc. The letters In which Piggott had
confessed his fear OF cross-e xamination
came upon the speaker and his colleagues as
a complete surprise. After Piggott fight
they had frequently mhde open complaint
| In court regarding the manner IN which the
| Attorncy-Gcncrnl had conducted the case.
| He did not impute dishonoruble motives 10
the Attorney General, but he thought that
| Mr. Webster had been led AWAY by the
| political character OF the case into "a course
Of conduct which, Oh reflection and In less
exciting circumstances lac would not have
pursued. tCheer.
Continuing. Sir Charles Prssell said that,
even when Piggott had testified. he did moi
get the letters 20 which reference had been
made, although Mr.. Webster offered 10 pro.
ducct the letter Of November 5. lie asked
the Attomey.Ge General either 90 admit that lac
was mistaken or TO point out IN the official
report any reference 20 the letter ~ Novem.
Der Is. Sir. Webster admitted that relying
upon memory. lac had erred when lac wrote
to Sir Charles Russell lie argued that In
any case the matter was unimporiunt.
The Attorney General persisted that n sil
Charles Russell had consented to have th,
letter from Mr. SOamcs 10 Piryott read II
court he (Rus,cll) woald have been In
position 90 demand the correspondence I
which IL referred.
Mr.. Asquith. who Is one of the Parnellit,
counsel followed. lie asserted most posi-
lively that neither lie nor Sir Charles Russell
|
a letter Of Piggotts existed In which he nn
nounccd that his testimony would be dis
credited.
Sir William Vernon liarourt contondc,
that no answer had been given 90 his chang
that Mr.. Webster, knowing Piggott 10 bc
doubtful witness, had allowed the Timc' 10
two months 10 repeat it, odious charges aud
further, had sat silent while Houston NJ
hrmed that hc had complete trust IN figgotl
which statement Mr.. Webster knew TO b
false.
wcbstor-I have protested that had n
means Of knowing that Houston's statement
were untrue.
Sir VIM. lIarcourt, resulting. said that al
attorney might weave the cobwcbs Of miscf
able professional etiquette about the matter
but the common sense Of the nation woul'
revolt against the kecping alive 20 the las
moment Of charges known 10 be- false, an nc
OF professional cruelty and injustice.
Sir Edward Clarke, solicitOr-General
spoke IN defense Of Mr.. Webster
, Mr. l.abouchcrc said that Mr.. Houston, Nj
. sonmcs and Mr.. Webster had all ayoidci
asking questions concerning Piggott III
ATTACKED the Gladstonian lawyers who nt
. stained from voting when the division va
I taken on Friday.
4 Mr.. Morley said he had not a word
I withdraw from what he had said In Friday
I debate.
: The subject then dropped.