Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-02-26

mons on the address in reply to the speech
from the throne Yesterday was specimen of
what may be EXP ected probably for week,
and was exceedir gly lively, although on the
Tory side but one man took part except in APP
plause from the Tory benches, while on the
Home Rule sids the noise and cries Of
"Pigott," which greeted Balfour, was deafen-
ing at times.
Morley opened by moving the Home Rule
amendment to the address, and then proceeded
to attack the government He severely con-
demned the conduct exhibited by the admin.
istration in Ire and during the last few
months. He especially referred to the "un-
called-for" arrests of Irish members. "The
time is fast coming" said he, when
an irresistible appeal will ascend from
the nation asking her majesty the queen
to recur to the sense of the
people so that they may decide upon the great
issues which are now dividing the govern
ment." He aske1 why, If the condition of
Ireland was better, proceedings against Irish
members of the house of commons were
more frequent He condemned the slack of
prudence, foresight and care" that had been
shown by the administration in Ireland dur
ing the last few months. The arrest Of
Father McFadden at Gweedore, be said,
was marked by every bad quality that could
accompany judicial act. Il was worthy of
the exploits of the ruffisn judge in Scotland,
who a century ago said: "Give me prisoner
and I'll find the laws"
Referring to the imprisoned members of
parliament, he urged that while their offences
were limited to speaking and writing treason,
they should be treated as first-class mis-
demeanants. rCbsersl The opposition re-
quired the fullest explanation regarding the
employment of IRISH magistrates, crown
solicitors, and police in framing The Times
case. They demanded to know why documents
were handed to Tie Times for the purpose of
a plot to which it might be proved the gov
eminent had become the dupes and Access
sories [Cheersl
Balfour replied to Morley. As he rose
cries of "Pigott" greeted him, and the speak
er was obliged to insist upon order being
maintained. The secretary's speech was a
strong defense of the governments course
and denial of int uman treatment of prison
ers in Ireland. Ee declared that wherever
the plan of campaign had operated the con-
dition OF Irelo-d, under the government
measures to maintain order, had greatly iui-
proved.
was interrupted with renewed cries of Pig
oft, Pigott."]
He twitted Morley with abiding to the
Paruell commission and ignoring the most
horrible charges OF cruelty, inhumauity, and
cynical savageneSs with which his (Balfour'sl
aste-basket bad been flooded during the
recess Possibly it had begun to dawn upon
the minds of the opposition that they had
been duped by imaginary reports concern
ing the treatment Of O'Brien. (Cries of ''Oh,
obi He admitted that the prison rules had
been relaxed in the cases of priests, but the
house knew that be- had always been doubt
full whether, in relaxing the rules, he was
not straining the crimes act The rule re-
garding the cutting Of a prisoners hair was
never relaxed except in cases of disease
What disease prevented my hair being
cutF inquired Dillon, amid much laugher
You were in the hospital during your i'm
prisonment," responded Balfour
There were at the present moments20 900
persons III the ordinary prisons OF the king
dom, while only 100 were imprisoned in
Ireland under the crimes act If the object
of punishment was to prevent crime, never
had so great a result been attained at the
cost Of so little suffering. If O'Connell were
still alive he would shrink from the means
employed by the gentlemen below the gang.
way to render government impossible