Wichita eagle., 1890-03-01
THE SHAME OF ENGLAND.
Labouchere's Effort to Investigate the
West End Scandal Defeated.

West End Scandal Defeated
LONDON, Feb. 2S.-Mr. Labouchere spoke
TO his motion of inquiry into the Cleve-
land street scandal, which had been made
part of the regular order for today in the
house Of commons. He alleged that the
case presented an official defect to defeat
the course of justice, and therefore be had
moved the reduction of the credits related
to the administration of Justice. He de-
tailed the facts of the scandal and con-
tended that the sentence TO one months
imprisonment for Week was itself
scandal. because of the made
ouacy of the punishment to
the offense committed. The treasury
officials, having full knowledge OF the
whole affair, had refrained from prose-
cutting Newlove and Week until Sir Steven
son Blackwood, secretary to the postofice,
had insisted upon taking action against
bis own subOrdinates, the postal employees
involved. Then finding themselves COM
PEELED TO prosecute these two men, the
treasury officials tried to prevent the eX-
posure from going any further and tried
to hush it all ND. When Hammond fled
the police proposed to secure his eXtradi-
ton from Belgium, where they had him
watched. Both the chief of police and the
secretary to the pcstOftice urged the gov
eminent to obtain his eXtradition.
There was no legal difficulty in
The affair The eXtraditiOn could have
been readily obtained, but the Marquis
of Salisbury, through IA treasury official,
wrote declaring that he could not ask for
the extradtion. The Marquis of Sails
bury certainly knew that the treaty with
Belgium covered the offense alleged
against Hammond. Why, then, could he
TO- ask for his eXtradltlOn? Hammond
discovered he was being watched IN Bel
q um and, informed of his danger there,
hurried away and went TO America, and in
all this, as TO information ana otherwise,
he was assisted through Mr.. Newton, the
solicitor of Lord Arthur Somerset. The
object of the government was obviously TO
hunt Hammond beyond the range OF eX-
tradition, that being regarded as the best
plan for preventing the making Of revela-
tons affecting certain persons deposition
cheersl
When Monroe. chief of police, reported
to the treasury the evidence IN the hands
of the police involving Lord Arthur SOM
erset and others, the treasury ordered
the police to deSSt from watching the case
and Somerset obtained atthe horse guards
four months leave of absence TO enable
him to quit the country. But he did not
quit the country. He appeared at the
funeral Of his grandmother, the Dowager
Duchess of Beautorte. Lieutenant General
Sir Dighton Probin, prominent member
of the household of the Prince Of Wales.
informed Lord Salisbury of this. Lord
Salisbury stated that a warrant to
take him into custody would be
issued; but he caused TINS discussion
20 become known TO Lord Somerset's COM
manding officer, through whom this IN
formation was conveyed 10 Somerset.
Thereupon Somerset fed. Lord Arthur
Somerset was not only allowed to
resign his commission and leave the
army as an honorable officer. bat
ut this moment is still 9 magistrate
for two counties laughterl. Moreover he
did not hide himself. He went to Pera
openly and asked for an official place at
The court of the sultan.
Two men are now in prison for their part
in these scandalous occurrences. But they
are poor and obscure men; their highly
placed confederate is unmolested. The
government took care that the warrant for
his apprehension should not be issued till
he was out of the country. lChsers and
ministerial "Oh's."l Mr.. Iabouchere said
his charge WAS plain enough. IL WAS that
the Marquis of Salisbury and others GRIM
inally consuired to defeat the ends of JUS
tice. Therefore he asked that the commit
tee inquire into the allegations. Laughter
and cheers. He trusted that the govern
ment, whatever their defense, would not
put up lawyer with a brief in his hand
TO defend them by special pleading and
svasive chicanery. Mr.. Labouchere with
drew his motion.
Sir Richard Webster, the attorney gen.
sral, said he believed the house would
agree with him that there was not a
shadow of foundation for these dis
graceful charges. 1t was absurd to
suppose that the Marquis of Salisbury or
the treasury officials could have any in
terest 10 retard the prosecution in this
ease The procedure, III fact, took the
usual course When the evidence WAS all
In i: was first collated with view to the
case against Lord Arthur Somerset. The
opinion of the lord chancellor was then
taken upon it and this opinion WAS that
the evidence was insufficient TO Justify 4
prosecution. Subsequently additional
evidence was obtained and this rendered
the issue Of a warrant advisable; but he
had authority TO state that Sir
Dighton Probn. after his inter
view with the Marquis OF Salisbury,
on this subject. neither saw nor communl-
gated with Lord Arthur Somerset, either
directly or indirectly. The story told by
MIR. Labouchere to the effect that the Mar
uuis of Salisbury had informed Sir Dighton
Probin that a warrant was about 10 DC is
sued was mere gossip.
Mr.. Lsbouchere. interrupting here. offer
I'd TO write the name of his informant on 4
Slip OF paper ana put tue SID OF paper iHlo
the hand Of SIR Richard Webster. leaving
10 Sir Richard the choice OF disclosing or
not disclosing the name to the house.
Sir Richard " ebster said Mr.. I4abouchere
had direct authority to correct the allega-
ton that the Marquis CT Salisbury had
spoken to any one regarding the issue OF
the warrant.
Mr. Lsbouehere said be could not accept
Sir Richard NebsteT's assurances, nor dbl
lie believe the Marquis OF Salisbury, whose
denials We're obviously untrue
The chairman here interviewed and re-
ouested the gentleman 10 withdraw the
words calling into question the veracity OF
the premier.
Mr.. LABoUCHERE SUSPENDED.
Mr. Lahouchere declined 10 withdraw