Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-22
Members of the House of Commons
in a Deadlock.
UEPENSIONS FOR REFUSING TO Vote
Sir William Vernon Harcourt's
Criticism.
RAID ON THE PROVISIONS

LONDON, May pa deadlock began in
the house of commons yesterday after the
discussion of the agricultural rating bill,
providing for the reduction of rates on
agricultural land. The house was in COM
nlittee of the whole from o'clock yester-
day afternoon, and at o'clock this morn
ing the closure was moved. But several
members refused to enter the division
lobby, whereGpon the speaker, Mr.. Gully,
was summoned, and he named John Dill
len, the anti-Parnellite leader; DR.. Tan
ner, Donald Sullivan, David Lloyd, George
and John H. Lewis, the latter two being
Welsh members, for disobeying the chair.
The members named were suspended for
a week.
During later division Mr.. James O'Con-
nCr, member for West Wicklow, refused to
leave his seat, and the sergean;-at-arms
removed him in the usual manner
The conservative leader, Mr.. Balfour,
moved the suspension of the members
named and the motion was carried ty a
vote of 2O0 to IS.
Michael Davitt and Daniel Macaleese
members for South Mayo and North Mona
CHAN, respectively, persisted in remaining
in the house during the division. whereupon
the Sergeant-at-armS was summoned by
the speaker to remove them. This was
done in the usual formal manner, MeSSrS.
Davitt and MaCaleeSe repudiatinS any in
tention to show disrespect for the chair.
Sir VIM Vernon Hdrcourt, the liberal
lcSd der, thereupOn moved to adjourn the de-
bate, claiming the house not in tit
condition to continue the discussion, but
the speaker decliEed to accept the motion,
and the discussion was continued.
Mr. Balfour said the government pro-
posed TO continue the sitting until the bill
should be completed
The secretary of state for the colonies
MIR Chamberlain: the under secretary of
foreign office he
tary of state for India, Lord George Ham
ilton. and Mr. Balfour occupied the treas
TRY bench all night lorg, in the evening
dress they had worn en- the previous night.
Throughout the night suppers were in
progress in the coffee room. and from the
fact that 1000 eggs alone were consumed
1t may be judged that the appetiCes of the
E:emhers were sharpened considerably by
their stay in the house
At ; o'clock This morning the manager of
the coffee room made scrtie, and sue
Ceeded in purchasing the entire contents of
fish store located in the neighborhocd of
the house He loaded these provisions into
cab and conveyed them to the house
He then started another foraging eX-
peditiCn and eventually returned with two
cabs full of fresh bread. butter, coffee tea,
rolls, SauSaSeS, bacon, ham, etc, and the
prospects of starvation for the members
soon vanished With a good breakfast. the
commoncrs began to look at the agricul-
tural rating bill in a more favorable light
and amicable discussion was resumed.
Repeated closures followed, and at $50
am Sir William Vernon Harcourt the lib
eral leader. again tried to adjourn the
house. declaring that the governments
fatal passion for closure had destroyed
the good feeling and faith of the house."
adding: 1t is an evil day when the house
can no longer rely upon the promises of
the government. In my long experience l
have never known bill conducted in such
an arbitrary manner"
Sir William Haroourts motion was de-
feated.
Finally, at 1870 am. just as the men,
bers were getting hungry again and long
ing for luncheon, and with the manager of
the coffee room preparing for another
accommodating expedition. all the clauses of
the bill were agreed to. and. with many
sighs of relief, the house adjourned until
June /, and the members hurried away TO
their clubs or ZONES for luncheon