The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-07-30
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
THE PARTF LEADERS CONTINUE
TO DEPLORE IT'S DISGRACE.
Many Members Favor an Inquiry, But
Believe That an Investigation Will
Only Rekindls tho Animositics.


Hone Rule bIl. and even Great Britains
interest In the Franco-Slamese dispute.
have occupied only subordinate places In
public attention since Thursday night.
The fight in the House OF Commons has
been for two days a subject beside which
all questions OF national and international
policy have appeared trivial 10 the I'M
official political world OF London. Count
less questions are asked and reiterated
In the newspapers and the parliamentary
lobbies. Who struck the first blow,
Whose was the moral responsibility?
Must Mr.. Gladstone or Chamberlain or
4. p O'Cornor bear the blame2 When
viii there be an impartial investigation
OK the riot2 These are few Of the In
quirics which are discussed In every place
where members OF Parliament and their
adherents COngregate The partisan news
papers print columns TO prove that the
other Tarty Gid it. and accusations little
less bitter than those heard in the house
are being expressed On editorial pages.
The persistence with which the worst
offenses OF members on both sides
Is being exploited by the party
perate men. The best part Of the
public undoubtedly Is generally ashamed
that the House OF Commons should have
fallen lower tran ,he legislative assemblies
on the continent. The speaker, one OF the
few politicians volcing the best sense OF
tho country, after denouncng without
partisan bias the parliamentary disturb
ances demands that the House vim
dicate its honor by purging itself OF the
traitorous criminals who struck the first
blows"
This demand is exceedingly dlacut Of
fulhllment. The fight was so general
and In many quarters so spontaneous
that IN most cases IL was almost impos-
sible to name the aggressors. Against
a few members. however. the evidence
is conclusive. Colonel Saunderson, the
pugnacious champion OF the Ulster 10y
alists, Is the most conspicuous OF them,
although his friends assert that he did
not strike until after he was attacked by
Michael Austin, a Parnellite from West
Limerick. John William Logan, the Lib
eral for South Lelcestershire, who was
bundled under bench I'm punishment
for his threatening Edward Carson, a
Tory, IS another marked man. All MEM
bers agree that Mr.. Logan's conduct in
forcing his way into the opposition ranks
was an objectionable provocation. Every
effort 20 get at the truth about the
fight has resulted so far I'm the discovery
that, although any number OF members
were involved in the jostling and strug-
Cling. comparatively few struck out right
and left Part az the turmoil was due
10 the efforts OF peacemakers to separate
combatants. once I'm n tangled group
these peacemakers had 10 push and pull
10 extricate themselves. and many who
were supposed AT the time 90 be spoil
ing for a round of nstlcons are known
now 20 have been merely trying TO
pacify the actual belligerents.
William Redmond, for instance, who,
I'm fact worked harl 10 restrain the Par
uellite members. was reported on tri1ay
morning as having led the attack on
Colonel SaundersOn.
one OF the most surprising features or
the fight was that the injuries were not
more serious. Several members struck
out with all their muscle and planted
their fists squarely I'm the faces OF their
ANTAGONISTS Colonel Saunderson VIII
carry for days on his nose and temples
the marks OF Eugene Creams (anti-Par-
nellite) fist lie makes light Of his In
jurles. however. saying that his head Is
as hard as a hrick-bat and good for any
number Of knocks I'm the future. Other
injured members or the House show
similar good nature Apologies have been
exchanged i'm several cases, and most OF
the minor members have been fully fe-
stored TO their normal humor.
The party leaders are less forgving,
and continue 20 deplore the disgrace OF
the House Men who were conspicuous
in the fight are feeling their displensure.
The tone Of yesterdays proceedings
showed plainly that the leaders ana thelr
on both sides felt chastened
in spirit.
MANY more members than usual went
ont 10 take tea on the Thames embank
m,nt that they might free themselves
r, ON rec objections of the prec ding nlen''
Thev did not get the expected roliet.
The p1srer gers on the rive 'Ncursi)1
beats restored them constahtly WIN
tat rts. derislve cheers and shouted ad-
vice TO make Jen Smith chairman u t"e
House IL required only about an hour
for this banter to clear the terrace. Keen
syrnrathy is felt for Mr.. Gladstone, VINO
was deeply panied and Inundated oy me
riot lie did not have his glasses WIN
him during the fight, and was NOT a"aI'
therefore Of ninc-tonths or Whal VAS
haprening. lie heard the yells 'hl sa"
n confusion Of struggling forms. Other
wise he knew only what the )tner MINIS
tors hastily told him before Speaker
Peers appearance His sorrow was ou-
dent to all when he replied yesterday 10
Mr.. Hunters request that committee
be aprointed to inquire into the htht'
Fie sUoke with trembling voice, ana our-
ing his last sentences could haFciy cvh-
troll his emotion.
MANY members favor Mr.. Hunters plans
OF an inquiry. but the majority believe
with the leaders that an Invests alton
would serve only 10 rekindle all the
and animosities, and there
fore should be omitted.
The whole affair is another fruit OF the |
utter incompetency OF Chairman Melior. |
All agree that such a scene would nave |
been impossible with Mr.. Courtney, Mr..
Nellor's Conservative predecessor, In the |
chair The Daily Chronicle and the West
minister Gazette are emphatic In their |
demand that Mr.. Mellor be retired at |
once.
Aside from Parliamentary brawl. do
nestle people have provided but one new |
ionic in the last week. This topic Is the
rinas' assertion that the Governme1, /
,ians 10 make a coup by deyoting the nrst
oart OF next years session 10 the New
,astle programme. After some progress
,hau have been made with the pet pro- |
ects OF the Radicals and Labor members,
,ovs the Times. the Government VIII |
introduce the Home Rule bill ia the House
n Lords. The moment the Lords reject
he Home Rule bill. Mr. Gladstone VIII
30 enabled 10 appeal 10 the electors, WINE
pointing 10 the progress or otner more
,opular measures as an earnest OF the
governments good intention for the rest
n the United Kingdom. The prophecy
II a dissolution early IN 1871 receives
.olor Of probability from the fact ;hat
haN