The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-12
OPENING 0FPARLIAMENT
FULL TEXT OF THE SPEECH FROM
THE THRONE.

for the Suppression of Slavery-A
Better Condition OF Affairs In Ire
land Reported.
LONDON, Feb. 1.-the following is the
queens speech at the opening of parliament
to-day:
MY LORDS AND GENrLEMEN-My relations with
other powers continue friendly.
An armed force under a Portuguese officer
was dispatched during the autumn from Mo
zambique in the territory where British settle
ments had been formed, aud where there are
native tribes who have been taken under my
protection. A collision, attended by boOdshed,
TOOK place, and acts were committed which
were inconsistent with the respect due the
British nag. The Portuguese government now,
at my request, has promised TO withdraw its
military forces from the territory in question.
SUPPRESSION OF THE SLAVE TRADE
A conference OF the powers Interested in the
suppression of the slave trade has been con-
voked at Brussels by the King of the.Bel lans.
| earnestly hope the results OF its deliberations
VIII alvance the great cause for which it as
sembl d.
A commercial convention has been hold with
the khedive.
Conditional ARRANGEMENTS FOR the adtnst
ment OF pressing fiscal questions has been made
with Bulgaria.
The convention concluded by me with the
emperor OF Germany and the United States
with respect TO the government OF Samoa will
be laid before you with the protocols of the
conference.
The treaty concluded with the United States
Tor the amendment of the law Of extradition
VIII also be submitted to you. The latter awaits
the ratification of the United States Senate.
swAzILAND's DISORDER
The disordered condition OF Swaziland has
rendered it necessary TO provide better govern
ment there The indepen lence OF Swaziland
was recognized by the convention in London
have acting in conjunction with the president
OF the South African republican commission,
endeayored to learn the views of the Swazis
and white settlers
shall await with lively interest the result OF
the conference being held to discuss the i'm.
portant question OF the federation of the
Australian colonies. Any well-consdered
measure for bringing these colonies into closer
union will increase their welfare and strength,
and Will receive my favorable consideration.
IRISH AFFAIRS.
The continual improvement of affairs in ire
land ana further dmuntiOn of crime has made
it possible TO very largely restrict the area
wnere II Is necessary to deal with certain
ofenses by summary process. Proposals for
increasing, under due financial precaution, the
number OF occupying owners, for extending to
Ireland the principles Of local self government
which already have been adopted in England
and Scotland, so far as they are applicable to
Ireland, and for improving the material we'll
being OF the population in the poorer districts
will be submitted 10 you.
The bill facilitating and cheapening the trans
fer OF land IN England will be again presented.
PRIVATE LEGISLATION FOR SCOTLAND.
Provisions win be submitted TO you for dimin-
ishing the difficulty aud cost which attend the
passage OF private legislation required for Scot
land.
A bill improving the course of procedure by
which tithes are levied, and facilitating their
redemption will be- submitted.
have appointed commission to report the
best means of improving the conditions which
affect the inhabitants of some parts of the
western highlands and the island of Scotland.
Your attention will be again invited to a bill
to ascertain the liability of employers for acci-
dents to employees, and to a measure improving
acours of procedure for ths winding up of the
affairs of insolvent companies under the limited
Liabilities act
Bills will be submitted for your consideration
for the consolidation and amendment of the
laws in respect to the public health of the me-
tropolis and the dwellings OF the working class
and also a bill for better regulation OF savings
banks and friendly societies.
Gentlemen Of the House Of Commons, esti-
mates 10 defray the cost Of my government will
be submitted to you They are drawn with due
regard to economy as well as to The necessities
OF the public service.
PAPERS PROMISED.
In the House Of Commons Sir James Fer
guson, under foreign secretary, promised to
lay on the table at an early day papers in
relation to Portugal and South Africa.
Sir Michael HIcks-Beach, president of the
board Of trade, gave notice of the intro
duction OF tithes bill.
Secretary Balfour announced that on
Monday next he would introduce an Irish
land purchase bill. One clluse of the bill
provides for the creation Of land depart
ment.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt offered a
motion declaring that the London Times. in
publishing the forged Pigott letters, was
guilty of a breach of its privileges.
Mr.. Harcourt, speaking in support of his
Il eh,e. -. -
committee 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 a cover to
the assault on him were forgeries. the
House is afforded an abso utely sure basis
whereon to act. 1t Is now obvious that
the object Of the publication of the
forgeries on the day when the coercion bill
had its second reading was to influence
division in parliament. 1t was gross and
palpable outrage upon the House. A more
fragrant breach Of privilege could not be
conceived. Some reparatiOn should be made
tor this use Of poisoned weapons." He urged
that all sides should unite to brand with the
stigma OF parliamentary reprobation this
practice of the art Of political forgery.
[Cheers.1
Sir John Eldon Gorst, under secretary
for India, responded. He said the time
was passed for discussion Of the breach of
privilege. Moreover, such discussion
would be inopportune while the report of
the Parnel commission was pending. He
moved that the House decline to consider
the motion OF breach OF privilege.
GLADSTONE CHEERED AS HE AROSE.
Mr.. Gladstone, who was loudly cheered
as he arose, spoke In support Of the motion.
He said 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 apol-
ogies grossly exaggerated the original
offence. ["Hearl Hearp'l He was surprised
that Sir Richard Webster had allowed him
self to be made the vehicle of such an
apology. This was the earliest chance the
House had had, and 1t was the most oppor-
tune 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 bave been absolute
political death, and mortal blow struck at
him would have been felt throughout the
Irish nation. lCheers.J The Times had
aimed to affect the judgment Of the House,
and it had really had in that direction tenn
porary success. He did not wish to dwell
upon the horrible and loathsome character Of
the whole affair. He trusted the House would
vindicate its right to deal with the offense
The government owed it to itself to deal
fairly toward MIR. Parnell and The Irish
.NzA Il. =.