The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-06
IRISH START A ROW.
Sixteen Members Removed From
House Of Commons.

London, March 6.-Some Of the Irish
members created an exciting scene in
the house of commons last night. The
services of some of the constabIes had to
be invoked to restore order and to re-
move some Of the belIigerent members
from the house. They refused to retire
to the lobby when Chairman Balfour
wished to apply the closure rule. 1t
ended in some Of the members being sus-
pended for a week.
After midnight Mr. Balfour applied
the closure on The education estimates.
The Nationansts shouted gag and re-
fused to leave when the division was
taken The chairman asked them twice
to retire to the division lobby, but they
shouted Certainly noti''
Mr.. FIavin cried: Il protest against
the way all Irish votes are cl0sured' p
The chairman then intimated that he
must report the matter to the speaker.
In the meantime the other members had
returned from the Hobbies amid some
uproar, thirty or forty Irishmen remain
ing in their seats.
The speaker having returned to the
house the chairman reported the matter
to him and the speaker asked if the.
Irish members still refused to obey the
order, and there were cries of Yes,
yes.''
The speaker then named sixteen recall
citrants and Mr. Balfour moved their
division.
The speaker ordered them to withdraw
but they refused, amid great uproar.
The speaker called upon the sergeant
alarms to remove them. They shouted
defiance. The deputy sergeants- alarms
advanced and asked them to leave; still
they refused. At this d number of Off
GERS and policemen entered to enforce
the removal.
Eugene Cream member for Southeast
Cork, struggled desperately against re-
moval, and there was quite a free fight
on the floor, lasting five minutes, other
Irishmen assisting him. Eventually he
was carried out bodily by six policemen
amid yeiis and cheers.
The police then returned and carried
each of the remaining recalcitfants in
the same manner, although there was
no further actual resistance. Six po-
licemen suf7ced for each member with
the exception Of Mr.. Flavin, who is a
big man, and required eight. Many as
they were being carried out waved their
hands and shouted:
God save Irelandl'
c. Cullansan. Patrick White. Patrick Nc
Hugh, William Lunder, William Abraham.
Patrick !. Di3sugan, Anthony Donelan and
The troubles arose through Mr. Balfour
closuring the whole educational estimates
without giving an opportunity to discuss
The excitement is stfn very evident. and
When the mouse met At noon loaaS; ~
view of possible disturbances. the whole
police force on duty at St. Stephens had
been modified and reinforced by reserves.
Mr.. John Redmond speedily rose and
raised a question of privilege arising from
tthe painful scenes of last night" He
claimed that members had been suspend
ed without proper steps being taken to
Identify them and that their removal had
been accompanied by undue violence. He
was satisfied. he said. that members were
suspended who had actually. gone to the
lobby to participate in the division.
The speaker, interrupting, pointed out
that Mr.. Redmond was not raising
question of privilege, but a noint Of order.
ful susp pensions. he (the speaker9 would
AF7 ~ PeSInond +Tie II move ~ a9iourn
rnent and appealed to Mr. Balfour to give
the members an opportunity for discus
sion.
Mr.. Balfour. remarling that he pre-
Suned it was desired to institute means
for preventing a recurrence Of the scenes
of last night. promised to consider what
opportunity for discussion could be given.
The subject was then dropped.