The Helena independent., 1889-03-23
IN THE COMMONS.

Attorney General Webster Defending Ills
Action Before the Commission.
LONDON, March 22.-ln the commons 10
day Harcourt resumed the discussion re-
garding the Parnell commission. lie con-
demned the attorney generals apology for
Pigott's forgeries as mean, contemplate
and disgraceful and expressed the hope
that he would make better apology.
Attorney. General Wsbster replied that
but for the duty he owed those who trusted
him, he would not notice the charges made
by llarcourt. II be were capable Of the
conduct Imputed To him be would be a dis
grace 10 the English bar. lie was private
counsel for the Times II was immaterial
whether he had been right or wrong Ia Oceu-
pying the position, although IL was doubt
ful whether he had been prudent
Sir William Vernon HArcOurt wanted 20
know whether the attorney general had
the letter In which PigOtt admitted his ina
blllty 10 stand crOAs-examinAtiOn. III
SOames had that letter and kept II from
the knowledge Of the attorney general he
(llarcOurt) had no hesitation M saying
SOames ought % be struck on the rolls.
The attOrney-geDeral declined absolutely
~ say whether be had advised the govern
mcnt on any point lie had never gone 10
the government for the authority OF the
letters HarcOurts argument that counsel
ought 10 satisfy himself Of the accuracy of
the statements witness would make. was
prepOsterODs. lie accused HRTcOurt of
asking questions In this manner because be
kneH certain section Of the press was
only too ready 10 turn the sug-
gestlOls into accuse Ions. Kegardinn PigOtt
the attorney general argued he had 10
right to keep him from The witness box,
because he said be could not stand crOss-
examination. lie had Informed the COM
mission and had put PigOtts letter In Sir
Charles kusse's hands five days before
pigott went into the box. Loud minister.
ial cheers Would the committee believe
that Sir Charles Russell bad asked that the
letter should mol be read I'LL PIgOtt went
intO the box? Laughter. lie protestsd d
strongly against Sir Williams reference Ia
o0ames, who was not there 10 answer the
charges. In regard 10 Sir Williams state
ment that the Times apology could only
have been written by a pettliOgging cOzen-
ing knaye, that knaYe stood before them at
the present moment Conservative cheers, |
OConner and LabOuchere having spoken
Parnell said he should not have intervened,
but that In the language Of AttOneyGen-
eral Webster, ana In the shouts of his sup
pOrters, there had been some faint echo OF
Lord Sallsbury's eQuly0cal language In re-
spect 10 the forged letters. III Lord Sails
bury still chose 20 pin the relic of his faith
10 the letters, the consequence would be
upon his own head. In the witness box he
(ParnellD had testified under oath that he
had neither signed, written, authorized nor
known Of any letters, and Attorney Gen.
eral Webster had not ventured 10 put
To him n single question. Was there
any member who would venture tn
express any doubt now that the letters
were f0rgeries?
Morley assert, Sir Chas. Russell had
authorized him 10 state he was entirely In
accord with the opposition In the action
they were taking. He maintained Att0r.
ney General Webster had failed TO answer
the charpes