Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-03
A STORM IN THE COMMONS.
Col. Saunderson Uses an Objectionable
Phrase in Debating Irish Matters.

There was exciting scene in the house Of
commons yesterday afternoon. Sir Henry Hoyle
Howorth. conservative member for the south
division Of Stafford, attempted to draw ont Mr..
Asquith, the home secretary, on the release
from Portland prison Of the alleged dynamiter,
Egan, by demanding the production OF the re-
| port in Egans and the goyernpent's
reasons for the prisoners release.
| Mr.. Asquith made point, and by SO doing
elected cheers from the Irish members, by
ordinary license of the penal servitude act
the release, there was no necessity Tor making
a report TO the house.
JUDICIAL RENTs.
Another fishing question came from the
Irish bench. Mr.. Arthur O'Connor, anti-Par-
nellite member for East Donegal, inquired
whether Mr.. John Morley. chief secretary for
Ireland, was preparing measure providing for
a temporary readjustment of judicial rents in
Ireland. The inquiry was obviously aimed with
the object of getting information associated
with the land clause of the home. rule bill.
Mr.. John Morley replied that be had not pre-
pared such a measure.
Mr.. O'Conuor then asked Mr.. Morley if he
would support bill having the readjustment Of
the judicial rentsHn view if il were introduced
by private member of the house.
Mr.. Morley declared that he would not I'M
dertake to say what he would do under such
circumstances.
Mr.. Timothy Healy, anti-Parnellite member
for North Louth. asked: But If the bill was
backed by conservatives, in addition to the
Irish nationalists, would not the government
assent to it?'
Mr. Moriey-"A bill SO presented would GER
tainly receive the governments attention.
This skillful parry OF what might nave been
ar,l r,,rtr af41 WI lnrT1
laughter.
STORM OF INDIGSATIoN.
Col. Edward James Saunderson, corserva-
tive member for North Armagh. generally re-
garded as leader of the Irish unIonists. attacked
the eyicted tenants commission in fierce
TRADE. Col. Saunderson is noted for harsh and
unsparing invectiye. and he seemed to throw all
his bitterness and all his energy into his assault
upon the opposite party in Ireland. He spoke
OF listers Loyalty to England and about the
resolution of Protestant Ireland to oppose by
every means the designs Of the separatists.
The evicted tenants commission he described
a body pledged in advance to a cause of in
justice and oppression and headed in it's out
rageous work By n partisan president. It's
course, Coz. Saunderson asserted, was in a line
with the policy of the Irish chief secretary in
releasing the Gweedore assassins, who, led by
a murderous ruffian, had done to death a faith
full officer.
The term ''murderous rufian' was inter-
preted by number of Irish members as
abiding TO Father McFadden, who had been
connected. as his friends claim. innocently with
the Gweedore tragedy, when Inspector Martin
was killed while attempting to arrest the priest.
Several voices from the Irish benches were
lifted in loud protest against Col. Saunderson' 3
utterance.
Col. Saunderson went on detiantly and I'M
dauntediy. "Yes." he cried. they were led by
a murderous ruffian."
A number of Irish members were on their
feet in an instant with cries of Order order:'
withdraw the expression;" lit is a rufIianly
utterance."
The speaker demanded order.
Mr.. John Diilon--"Is the member from
North Armagh entitled to say that the priest
is n murderer
Col. Saunderson lin tone of cool contempt
and deiance)-"I withdraw nothing. l did
not call him a murderer, but a murderous
rufian."
Irish cries of "Oh, OH" and Withdraw al
most drowned Saunderson's u.terancea. The
Irish nationalists were in a state Of great ex-
citement. The conservatives remained quiet
but some of them nodded approval to Saunder-
son, while the latter remained undismayed and
apparently kept his temper.
Il will not withdraw a word" Col. Saunder-
son exclaimed, as soon as he could make him.
self heard.
Then followed tumultuous cries of "divide."
The voice of John Dillon was heard appealing
to the speaker to compel Col Saunderson to
withdraw his expression
1T is rot IN my power" said the speaker,
ito interfere, but trust that the honorable
member from North Armagh will not persist
in irritating language"
Mr. John Dillon-'.I move that member
using such language is no longer fit to be
heard. The member from North Armagh
would not dare to use such terms outside the
house"
Tho Sno,lar ssTho oh,;. ,.,na. 49,. Al.
motion oferedby the honorable member from
East Mayo
Mr.. Gladstone Speaks.
| The clamor among the Irish nationalists con-
| tinued and seemed to be gaining in energy Of
| expression when Mr. Gladstone arose. As the
| premier began to speak all became silent and
listened with attention to his words. Mr.. Glad
stone spoke earnestly and with deep feeling He
| appealed to the Irish natiouaiists to restrain
themselves. In the interests of the honor and
/ dignity of parliament all the members should
assist in bringing the scene to a close soon as
| possible. surely" added Mr.. Gladstone 1.-THE
honorable member from North Armagh will re-
| train from calling a gentleman, held by many
/ In the highest respect. murderous ruffian."
| Col. Saunderson showed no sign of yielding
| even to the premier.
| Ir. Balfour, the conservative leader and for
! mer chief secretary for Ireland, said: II ap-
| peal to the honorable member to withdraw the
expression and substitute that of excited poll
| tician.' p"
| Then Col. Saunderson, obedieut to the voice
of his leader, said slowly and deliberately: ~
| accept the suggestion and withdraw the ex-
| preston for that mentioned BY the right honor
able member from East Manchester"
| The tumult ceased, but Col. Saunderson did
| not subside. He proceeded to attack Mr..
Gladstone for attempting TO establish Roman
Catholic ascendancy in Ireland. The priests,
Col. Saunderson said, had grabbed political
| power and newer intended to relax their grasp.
The Dublin parliament, if established, would
| be a slave to the priesthood. As specimen Of
| the men to whom it was proposed to deliver
| the government of Ireland they might take the
| member from North Louth, who had recently
called the Parnellite members '.jackasses Of the
! Billy Redmond type. with 10 more sense than
hen" Laughter
| After the Saunderson episode there was a
succession OF uninterestirg speakers.
| MR. CHAMBERLAIN's CHARGES.
Joseph Chamberlain rose after awhile and in
opening his speech charged the government
with shifty evasion in refraining from giving
| any declaration on points of dispute between
/ the divers sections of its supporters. The lib
erals. he said. were not happy family.
He held that Mr.. Morley, in a recen. speech
| in Leinster, had suggested the release Of the
| dynamiters as part of plan OF general am
nesty. After complaining OF the terms by
which the home rule bill was kept secret from
friends and foes alike in England, while it was
al T,<,f.