The Portland daily press., 1890-03-01
MADE THE PROCEEDINGS LIVELY.
Mr.. labouchere Accuses Lord Sails
bury of Criminal Conspiracy.

LONDON, February 2S.-Mr. Labouchere
spoke on his motion of inquiry into the
Cleveland street scandal today in the House
of Commons. He alleged that the case pre-
sented an official attempt to defeat the
course of justice He said the treasury Of
ficials, having full knowledge of the whole
affair, had refrained from prosecuting New
love and Week until Sir Stevenson Black
wood, secretary to the postoffice, insisted up
on taking action against his own subordi-
mates, the postal employees involved. Find
ing themselves compelled to prosecute these
two men, the treasury officials determined to
prevent the exposure from going any
further and tried to hush it ali up. He
stated that the Marquis of Salisbury,
through treasury official, wrote declaring
that he could not ask for the extradition Of
Hammond after he had fled to Belgium, al
though he certainly knew the treaty with Bel
gium covered the offense alleged. He de-
clared the object Of the government obyi-
ously to be to hunt Hammond beyond the
range Of extradition, that being regarded as
the te. best plan for preventing revelations, af-
cbere charged Lord Salisbury with having
ccnnived at the escape of Lord Arthur Som
erset and Others involved in the matter. He
said his charge was plain enough. 1t was
criminally conspired to defeat the ends of
justice. He asked that commission in
quire into his allegation. Laughter and
cheers.l Mr.. Labouchere then withdrew his
motion.
Sir Richard Webster, the attorney general.
said he believed the House would agree with
him that there was not shadow Of founda-
tion for those disgraceful charges. When
the evidence was all in it was first c0llated
with view to the case against Lord Arthur
Somerset. The opinion of the Lord Chan
cellor was taken upon it. This opinion was
that the evidence was insufficient to justify
the prosecution. The story told by Mr..
Labouchere to the effect that the Marquis of
Salisbury had informed Sir Dighton Probyn
that warrant was about to be issued for
Lord Arthur Somerset was mere gossip. Sir
Richard said he had direct authority to con-
tradict the allegation that the Marquis of
Salisbury had spoken to any one regarding
the issue of a warrant.
Mr.. Labouchere said he could not accept
Sir Richards assurance nor did he believe
the Marquis of Salisbury, whose denials
were obviously untrue.
The chairman interviewed and requested
the gentleman to withdraw the words call
ing into question the veracity of the premier
Mr.. Labouchere declined to withdraw his
words, and the speaker named him for sus-
pension and called upon the house to adjudge
upon the conduct of the members. The sus-
pension carried, 1T to 96. Mr.. Labouchere,
In leaving the House, said that he regretted
the fact, but his conscience would not allow
him to say he believed the denial of the Mar
quis Of Salisbury. [Cheers from the Parnell
party.
Mr.. Morley suggested that the subject be
dropped and the House proceed to other bHs-
inesS.
Mr.. w. HI. Smith demanded that the House
express its opinion on the motion notwith-
standing its withdrawal. The House should
say that the motion was improper and the
charges false. The vote against Mr.. Labou-
chere s motion was 163 to So