The herald., 1893-07-12
A SCENE IN THE COMMONS
Irish Members Deliberately
Insulted.
Thomas Sexton ReSents the
Affront.
For Which the Chair Attempts to
Discipline Him.
The House Immediately In q Great
Upr0ar-Gladstone at Length Pours
Oil on the Troubled
Waters.
BY the Associated Press.

LONDON, July ll.-In0 COmmOnE, III
committee, continued this evening the
discussion OF clause OF the home rule
bill. This clause concerns the question
of Irish representation at Westminster.
Henry Sexton Karr, Conservative.
moved that the Irish members of the
imperial parliament be elected by the
Constituencies which would elect the
Irish legislative council. Under this
amendment the Irish in the house of
commons would number 48, instead of
80, as proposed by the bill.
John Morley, chief secretary for Ire
land, replied that the proposal was based
on no prinpiple of government, but was
the result merely of desire to curtail
the Irish representation in the houas,
and could not be accepted by the gov
eminent.
Sir Richard Temple, Conservative, for
the Kingston division of Surrey, said
even 48 Irish members would. be too
many.
William Brodrick, Conservative, for
the Guildford division OF Surrey, agreed
with Sir Richard that the Irish were
OOOA PCCuAlOub anu khIIukOub, anu
therein lay two reasons for reducing the
representation in tho house to a min
imum.
Thomas Sexton, anti-Parnellite. for
North Kerry. interrupted Brodrick to
say such language was grossly imperti-
nent and ought not to be tolerated in
the house. The Unionists shouted
Withdraw" and the Irish cheered.
Lord Randolph Churchill sugg gested
that Sexton withdraw his words, as
Broderick's were not intended for him
personally.
The chairman told Sexton that he was
out of order and must withdraw his ex-
prssaions concerning Brodrick's speech.
Sexton expressed willingness to
obey the chairman in case Brodrick
first expr essed regret.
Timothy Healy, anti.Parnellite,A for
North Louth, said he rega rded Sexton's 3
attitude as quite iustiAable. To call the
Irish race impecunious and gsrrulous
was to insult every Irish member who
stood by his eountrymen.
The Irish cheered, the Unionists
shouted protests, and for two or three
minutes the house was in an uproar.
Gladstone spoke few words in favor
of the chairman's decision, but added
that the person striking the first blow
ought to make the first overtures for
reconciliation.
Balfour, leader of the Unionists, said
that, acting under his advice, his honor
able friend (Brodrick) refused to apollo
.gize.
The chairman turned appealingly to
Sexton.
81 am willing to do anything consist
ent with my duty to please the prime
minister" Sexton said, "but consider
ing the gravity of the insult offered my
countrvmen, I have decided not to make
an apology. l submit myself to the
Judgment of the committee"
Loud cheers greeted the statement.
The chairman hesitated and finally
ordered Sexton to withdraw. Sexton
shouted back: "Such course is unpre-
cedented. Why am 1 not named and
my conduct submitted to the house?"
Irish cheers, Unionist shouts and cries
of "Divide" followed this challenge.
The chairman pulled himself together
and repeated his order that Sexton with
draw. Sexton again refused. The Irish
cried "Don't withdraw"
The chairman then explained the
standing order concerning the suspen-
sion Of members disregarding the au-
thority of the chair. The last words
were almost taken from his mouth by
Timothy Healy, who exclaimed: "This
is shame (; it never was done before"
The uproar then became terrible.
Gladstone appealed to Sexton to obey
the chairman. Sexton replied, with
evident reluctance, that he would leave
his defense with the prime minister.
AS he retired the Irish jumped to the
benches, waved their hats and cheered
furiously.
After Brodrick Withdrew his statement
that the Irish we're garrulous and impe-
cuniouH and order was restored, Sexton
Karr's amendment, which had been
quite lost to view in the hubbdb, was
rejected by vote of 251 to 2l9.
Subsequently, on motion 20 adjourn,
Timothy Healy appealed to Speaker
Peel against Chairman Mellor's treat
ment OF Sexton. The speaker, however,
supported Mellor's decision.