The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-08-15
HOW BALFouR ESCAPED.
An Extraordinary scene In the
British House OF Commons.

[London cable to the New York Snn.l
The scene In the house Of commons on
Thursday night when Harrington made an
effort to inflict personal chastisement upon
Balfour, was the first event OF that nature
that has occurred since the memorable occa-
sion when Pllmsoll crossed the floor. shook
his fist In the faces Of the occupants OF the
treasury bench, and defed that august body
to combat. Perhaps Balfour does not realize
how narrowly he escaped thrashlng, and
parliament fearful scandal. The wanton
and deliberate insult to Harrington had In
famed every IriShman present, and the first
blow that was struck would have been sig
nal for conflict that might have involved
the entire house Of commons. Sexton had a
ready picked out his man in Colonel Saunder'
son, whom he bade prepare 70 defend himself
in voice that was heard above the lmplOr-
ing shouts Of the chairman and the din Of
the factions. Healy was on his feet begging
of the Parnellites were beginning TO turn
back their wristbands when the badly
frightened Clara, as the members of parlia-
ment term the lackadaisical Irish secretary,
hurriedly. apologized. II Harrington's coat
tails had been made OF less strong material.
or had Mah0ney, who slid down the aisle
holding to them, been stone or TWO lighter.
the angry Irishman would have had Balfour
by the throat before he could have uttered
his apology.
So brutal was the affront to Harrington
that not one of the journals, even Of
Balfour's own party, defends his conduct.
All circumstances tended to heighten the In
suit. Harrington, who Is big rollicking
Irishman, with kind word for even his
party enemies and not bit Of malice In his
composition, has only recently finished SIX
months term in prison, whittier he was sent
at Balfour's instance, and his pale, heavily
lined face bears witness to the suffering he
has undergone. Harrington will not talk to
even mis- closest friends Of the humiliation he
was subjected to In prison, but 1t Is known
that the amount Of his food was reduced
while he was preparing his defence for tha
Parnell commission, and that BY Balfour,s
orders everything that was possible to break
the prisoners indomitable spirit was done
during those terrible six months.
Balf0ur started the storm that tossed him
by asserting, In explaining the refusal OF the
notorious Roche and Colonel Turner to sub
scribe to a race meeting because Harrington
was one of the committee, that Harrington
had written of the police in his newspaper,
the Kerry Sentinel, as towards, liars, and
uniformed bloodh0unds. 1t was not much of
itself, because the Irish members do not hesi-
tate to term the police towards, liars and
bl0odh0unds, as they are: but In this
instance, as 1t has been in many others, the
statement was falsehood invented for the
occasion, as the only means at hand whereby
Balfour might excuse the rutfianly conduct
Of his allies. Consequently Harrington rose
and demanded TO know in what number Of
his paper the article had appeared. Balfour
flippantly responded that he made the state
on the best authority, and went on talking.
Harrington interrupted him TO demand what
that best authority was and the big Irish
n ans voice trembled with suppressed
passion. Balfour. without noticing the
question, went on with-his- -addIcsS, ana
again Harrington Numbered. What is the
aathority?" Then Balfour. looking directly
into the face of the man he had so recently
victimized and humiliated, made gesture
indicative of such utter contempt and scorn,
that Harrington completely lost control OF
himself 1t was an insult that cannot be
described in words, but that was not less
bitter. The tailor who put In the stitches
that attach the skirts Of Harrington's coat to
the body of that garment is to be credited
with having saved the house Of commons
from as pretty row as ever was witnessed
in a civilized legislature.