New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-07
SCANDALS IN PARLIAMENT.
RECORD OF THE LAST HOUSE OF COMMONS
IN Explosions AND BANKRUPTCIES.
London, July "a

month will enjoy q bricfer term Of existence
than its predecessor, yet there is every reason To
hope that it will show itself superior in moral
tone. This should not prove difficult task, Tor
the legislature which has just expired. after
span of life extending six years, will remain
on record as having furnished larger crop OF
scandals than any that has gone before it. Ii
has to its credit no less than three explosions,
score without precedent in English history,
larger number of bankruptcies, and a larger
representation in the matrimonial causes celebrn
Of the last half decade.
Cases OF expulsion from Parliament are ex.
ceedngly rare and no parallel can be found for
the short intervals which elapsed between the
respective applications of this browning disgrace
to ex-Captain Vcrney, Mr.. De COban and Mr.. G.
w. Hastings. The two former, who represented
East nghamshirc and Belfast, were
PEELED from the House of Commons for criminal
offences against morality, whereas Mr.. Hastings,
who sat for East Worcestershire expelled
on being convicted of the crimes of embezzle-
ment and fraud.
or the cases of expulsion which figure on the
records of the English Parliament, the first oc-
Cured in 1894 when Sir John Trevor, the
Sneaker of the House Of Commons, was expelled
from Parliament for corruption. committee
reported that the Speaker had in the preceding
session. received 900 guineas for expediting
local bill. AS soon the report of the committee
had been read 1t was moved, That Sir John
Trevor, Speaker Of this House, receiving
gratuity Of 1000 glineas from the City of
London after passing of the Orphans Bill, is
guilty OF high crime and misdemeanor.' He
had TO stand up and put the question. There
was loud cry of Aye lie called on the
Mays and scarcely voice was heard. lie
was forced TO declare that the Ayes had 1t.
The consent of the King having been obtained
for the appointment Of new Speaker, on his
presentation to and approval by the crown, Sir
John Trevor was expelled. Sir John Trevor re-
tanned his post of Master Of the Rolls for than
twenty years after his expulsion and would have
sought reelection to the House of Commons had
he not been peremptory forbidden by the King
TO take the step.
Sir John Tevors case is the only instance OF
the expulsion from the House of Commons Of a
man who WAS actually holding at the time the
post Of Speaker In 1890, however, Sir Robert
Sawyer who had been Speaker of the Parliament
of 1913, and who was the colleague of Sir Isaac
Newton in the representation Of Cambridge
University, was expelled by majority of l3l TO
II for the part he had taken as AttorneyGeneral
in 1852 in the judicial murder of Sir Thomas
Armstrong This gentleman accused Of par
ticpation in the Rye House Plot, was brought
back TO England from Leydcn, whereupon exc
cuton against him had been awarded on the
outlawry at Sir Robert Sawycr's instance The
result was that Armstrong was, without trial,
hanged drawn, and quartered for his mere flight
from the country. At the Revolution Armstrong;
attalnder reversed
On January II, 17l2, the House of Commons
expelled for corruption who destined
bo prim Mipisf NJ ~
most powerful factors in the development Of the
present system Of Parliamentary government
Mr. Wapole-aftcrward the celebrated Sir Robert
Walpole-was voted by the House guilty Of high
breach Of trust and notorious corruption in re-
ceiving the sum of 500 guineas and taking note
Of $500 more on account Of two contracts made
by him when Secretary Of State for War. For
this offence he WINS committed first to the Tower
and by q majority OF 10 over Us expelled the
Houac He was Immediately reelected for Lyme
Regis. and again expelled. Sir Robert was evil
IDENTITY Judging others by his STANDARD when
he made long afterward the cynical declara-
ton that every man had his price.
A Mr.. Asgill, barrister enjoyed the unique dis
tinction of being expelled from two Legislatures
He was expelled from tho Irish House of Commons
IN 1903, and from the English House of Commons
in 1907. the offence in both cases being his hav.
Avoiding Death"
The explosions Of Steele and Wilkes. like the
expulsion Of Mr.. Bradlaugh in 1882 were due to
political causes and bear analogy 10 the cases
I'm which members Of Parliament have in more
recent times been dismembered" by the vote
" the House OF Commons. The following in
stances Of expulsion are in harmony with the
circumstances under which the House Of Com
mons deems itself competent at the present time
10 expel members whose conduct brings discredit
on Parliament itself Mr.. Ward who had
purchased the borough Of Weymouth. was in 1927
prosecuted by the Duchess of Buckingham for
forgery and convicted, and in Consequence en-
PEELED the House He abscondcd. but after
ward taken and stood in the pillory, being at
tended by footmen in livery, as in chair Of
state
In 1914 Lord Cochranc was expelled upon his
conviction for q conspiracy 20 commit fraud
upon the Stock Exchange
From isl4 till February l6. 1857, the power
of expulsion from the House Of Commons not
exercised GA the latter date Mr.. James Sadlier.
against whom a true bill for fraud had been
found. and who had absconded. expelled.
IL was not until thirty-two years later that
the next expulsion, namely, that Of Captain Nerney
took place.
Commons who have become bankrupt during the
last Parliament it should he borne in mind that
the adjudication in bankruptcy of member
vacaics his seat. This provision. which is the
result Of modern legislation, owes its origin 70
the fact that since the Reform Act Of 1882 Par
lament may be considered independent of the
Crown. The House of Commons did not consen,
to dlVest itself of privileges which, however
abused We're of supreme value as safeguards
against the Executive Government, till the En-
ccutve Government became itself the servant Of
the House. and through the House the servant Of
the people Mt large 80 far from being deprived