The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-02-13
PARLIAMENT.
THE QUEENS SPEECH FROM THE
THRONE AND IT'S EXPRESSIONS
ON THE IRISH QUESTION.
GLADsTONE's SPEECH IN COMMONS
On the Motion to DenOunee the Times
in the Matter of the PiggOtt
Forgeries.

LONDON, February 11.-This afternoon be-
gan parliamentary session, which, if
present anticipations are realized, promises
to be the stormiest and most obstinate, as
far as opposition is concerned, that has en-
gagged the attention of her majesty's legis
lators for a long time. Those who are in
position to judge, express the opinion
and it seems to be accepted by Tories and
Liberals, Nationalists and Radicals that
there is much to be done before the house
can settle down to business.
The Tories have bills and schemes to pre-
sent, but before any headway can be made
with them the Liberals have few questions
to ask about the dispute with Portugal and
will inquire into Lord Salisbury's purposes
of doing anything about Crete or Armenia.
The Nationalists intend, either by them
selves or through their allies to raise ques.
ton about the Piggott forgeries, while the
Radicals, under the leadership of Labou-
chere, promise to make it hot for the gov
eminent in regard to the Cleveland street
scandals and other West End filth of more
recent date.
The debate on the address will ensue.
The debate on the queens speech is ex-
pected in any case to last a fortnight, but
in the present aspect cf affairs no one will
be surprised if it is extended to Easter. The
budget will not be reached until after the
Easter holidays.
Sir James Ferguson, under foreign secre-
tary, promised to lay on the table at an
early date papers relating to Portugal and
South Africa.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach, president of
the board of trade, gave notice of the intro
duction of the Tithes bill.
Mr. Balfour announced that on Monday
next he would introduce the Irish Land
Purchase bill. One clause of the bill pro-
vides for the creation of land depart
ment.
Mr. Harcourt, speaking in support of his
motion, contended that a breach of privi-
lege committed during one session could
be punished during another session. He
said:
"Since the suit for libel has been decided
in favor of Mr.. Parnell, and since it has
been admitted that the letters used as q
cover to make an assault on him were
forged, the house is afforded an
absolutely sure basis upon which to act.
1t is now obvious to all that the object of
the publication of tue forgeries on the day
when the coercion bill had its second read
ing, was to influence division in parlia-
ment. 1t was gross and palpable outrage
upon the house. A more flagrant breach
of privilege could not be conceived.
Some reparation should be made for this
use of poisoned weapons. He urged that
all sides shall unite to brand with the stigma
of parliamentary reprobation this practice
of the act of political forgery. Cheers.
Sir John Eldon Gerst, under secretary
was passed for the discussion of breach
of privilege. Moreover such discussion
would be inoppor1une while the report of
the Parnell commission was pending. He
moved that the house decline to consider
the motion as to preach of privilege.
Mr.. Gladstone, who was loudly cheered
as he arose, spoke in support of the motion.
He said that he could not consider that the
Times Offense against the house had been
purged by apologies which had been made
before the Parnell commission through Sir
Richard Webster, which apo Cg,es grossly
exaggerated the original olfen>e. He was
surprised that Sir Richard Webster allowed
himself to be made the vehicle
of such all apology. This was the earliest
chance the house had had and it was the
most opportune moment for it to express
its indignation over the publication of the
forgeries. If the conspiracy against Mr..
Parnell had been successful the result to
him would have been absolute political
death, and mortal blow struck at him
would have been felt throughout the Irish
nation [cheersl. The Times had aimed
to affect the Judgment of the
house and it had really had
in that direction comparative success.
He did not wish to dwell upon the horrible
and loathsome character Of the whole af-
fair. He trusted the house would vindicate
its right to deal with the offense. The
government owed it to itself to deal fairly
toward Mr.. Parnell and the Irish people
for the injustice done TO both through the
forgeries. Surely the house should not
hesitate to express its full sense of injus-
tice. [Cheers.