The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-28
TO KILL Mr.. GLADSTONE
A London Paper Publishes tho A6aiT N
Scars-Hesd Lines-Thers Nay ~
Something In II.

LONDON, April N.-The Pall-dall
Gazette to-day contains most sensa-
tional article headed. "Rumors OF attempt
to shoot Gladstone" The paper states
that an attempt upon the prime MIN
ister's life was made while Mr.. Gladstone
was walking through st. James Park et
midnight last night, on his way to ais
home In Downing street.
The accuracy OF the report Of the PAIL
Mall Gazette is doubtful. 1t is probable
that the story Is based upon the fact that
a man now In custody on the charge of
firing a revolver in the public thorough
fare had In one of bis pockets q note
book containing a number Of entries. deal
ing with the recent movements Of Mr..
Gladstone.
Notwith standing the Statements made
that Mr.. Gladstone Is In no danger Of
bejng shot. and no Importance Is attached
to the affair, there Is a growing suspicion
that Mr.. Gladstone was nearer being
fired at than his friends are willing to
admit.
The man under arrest Is named william
Tounsend. He is tflrty-eight years old.
and a resident of Sheffield. The officer
who arrested Fin saw him mount the
steps of Mr.. Gladstone's residence shortly
the policeman ordered him to descend he
fired at the officer, and subsequently
struggled desperately against being ar
rested. Tounsend asserts that the dis
charge of the revolver was accidental.
The Truth About the Arair.
II has been learned that Mr.. Gladstone,
who attended dinner party last night,
was walking home about the time the
man who fired the revolver was arrested.
He saw nothing of the occurrence, and
no one now believes that any attempt
was made to shoot him.
When the shooter was araigned In the
Bow-street police court this morning, the
policeman who arrested him stated that
the man had discharged the revolver In
the Horse Guards parade near Downing
street. He evidently intended 10 shoot the
officer. An examination of the note book
revealed the fact that il contained mass
Of rawlings against Irish home rule amid
which was "A suggestion that the murder
OF Mr.. Gladstone would be justnable.
Upon this slender foundation the report
OF attempted murder Of Gladstone was
constructed. Some Of the entries In the
note book read:
1.-THE Irish home rule bill has passed
its second reading by a full majority, In
Guiding the cur Saunderson. Talking
0OcS not convert. NOW lS the tttt iVf
action might wilfully murder you.
Would nothing OF the kind be Justified?
Now TO prove IT, What says Sir Henry
James? See Gadstone's speech OF Ast
night. What says Saunderson?'
At this point the presiding magistrate
refused TO read any further. He In
structed the jailer tO guard the prisoner
with the utmost care.
Questions in the House ~ Commons.
An unusually large number of people,
attracted by the report that Gladsfone's
life had been In danger waited for the
arrival of the premier at the House OF
Parliament When Mr.. Gladstone APP
peared he received cordial ovation. In
the House Of Commons several questions
were asked I'm regard 10 the report OF an
attempt on Mr. Gladstone's life. Home
Secretary Asquith replied that the Incl
dent OF the arrest and prosecution or
man for unlawfully discharging revolver
in a public thoroushfare was now under
judicial investigation. and In the mean
time he could say nothing about II.
Mr.. Asqulth was also questioned In re-
gard to special favors extended 10 the
Dovager Duchess Of Sutherland. now
undergoing Imprisonment In Holloway
jail for contempt of court. Mr.. Asquith
declared that the prison act provided that
frst-class misdemeanors should be al
lowed the privileges enjoyed by the
Dowager Duchess Of Sutherland.