The record-union., 1894-03-14
HOUSE oE LORDS.
An Amendment for Its Abolishment
Adopted by the Commons.

1
LONDON. March 13.-In the House Of
| Commons to-day Henry Labouchere pro-
posed an amendment to the address in re.
| ply to the Queens speech tor the aboli-
ton of the House of Lords. After some
discussion and considerable excitement
the amendment was put to vote and
passed-147 to l45-in spite of the oppo-
sition Of the Government. When the
figures were announced they caused an
outburst of prolonged cheering. which
was renewed when the Deputy Speaker
read the address IN reply to the Queens
speech with Labouchere's amendment at
tached to it. The division on Labou-
chere's amendment occurred earlier than
was expected, and many members were
absent at dinner. The majority com
posed the seventy-three McCarthvites
and Parnellites. the remainder bolng
Radicals.
When the division paper was handed
to Labouchere tremendous cheers broke
from the Irish and Radical benches and
members standing below the gangway
The latter were eXcitedly cheering and
waving handkerchieis, while the Gov
ernment tellers looked pale, especially
Chief Whip Ellis. All the Ministers
| looked downcast, while Balfour smiled
ironically.
| Previous to the vote on the House
of Lords Chief Secretary for Ireland,
Right Hon. John Morley, replied to the
references of Balfour in the House yes
terday.
John II. Redmond, Parnellite leader,
said he sympathiZed with Morley'S hu-
initiating position in explaining Lord
Rosebery's utterances, and added that he
must express dissatisfaction at the recent
Q0clar3fIOnS of the AiiniSfarS
Joseph Chamberlain followed Red
mona. He believed it impossible that
RoSebery accepted the leadership of the
party to betray it.
When he closed Labouchere moved an
amendment abolishing the power en-
Joyed by persons not elected to Parlia-
ment to prevent bills from being SUBJ
mltted to her majesty. and he expressed
the hope that II necessary her majesty,
with the advice of the Ministers, would
use her power to secure the passage OF
this much-needed reform. He suggested
that this object could early be achieved
by creating 500 new Peers who would
vote for the extinction Of the House OF
Lords.
Sir William Harcourt said he could not
understand the process by which Mr..
Labouchere reckoned TO achieve his OBJ
ject.
Labouchere said he had a list of 500
stalwarts who were pledged to vote for
the abolition of the House of Lords if they
were sent there. Loud laughter.
Harcourt said the method was i'm
practicable. 1t must be left to the Gov
ernment to find means to put an end to
the intolerable situation.
A division on Labouchere's amend
ment was then taken, and the cheering
which followed the announcement of the
result lasted fully minute. Some MEM
bers acted in a most frantic manner. The
waving of handkerchiefs and hats con-
tinued until the Deputy Speaker left the
chair for short interval.
The result of the division on Labou-
chere's amendment was a surprise. not
only to the Government, but to many
who had voted in favor of the amend
ment. Several of the later avowed this
evening that their object in supporting
the amendment was merely to give a
good division against the House of Lords.
They had no idea that there was a pros
pect OF the amendment being carried.
The prospect of the resignation of the
Cabinet was the general topic in the lob
bies of the House of Commons this even
ing. 1t is expected that the Cabinet will
meet tomorrow to discuss the matter.