The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-16
DEFIED THE PREMIER.
John O'DOnneIl Shakes His Fist
in BaIfour's Face.

London. Oct 16.-During an exciting
scene in the house of commons today
Premier Balfour moved the suspension
OF John O'Donnell and the latter crossed
the floor. stood in front of Mr.. Balfour,
shouted defiance and shook his fist in
the premier's face. MIR. O'Donnell was
suspended by a vote of 341 to 81.
The sitting opened with turbulent de-
bate. Premier Balfour moved that the
remainder of the session be entirely de-
voted to government business which he
explained would consist chiefly of the dis
cussion of the education and London wa
ter bills, while the Indian budget the
Uganda railroad, sugar bounty and the
supply vote would enable the procedure to
be carried out. The Transvaal, he added,
would also require mention.
James Bryce, leading the Liberals in the
absence OF Sir Henry CampbeIl-Bannner
man. made mild protest and then came
the storm.
Patrick OBrien. sitting in the place
Usually occupied by John Redmond. the
Irish leader in the house, asked that at
least a day between now and Christmas
be devoted to the discussion of the serious
state of affairs in Ireland.
Mr.. Balfour replied that if the request
for such opportunity came from the
Liberal leaders the government would
grant it but they could not notice it from
the Irish party.
William O'Brien thereupon made an i'm
FASHIONED speech, warning the mouse That
Ireland was on the verge of revolt. The
constitution, he said, was practically sus-
pended, and now the members We're gag
ged in the only parliament they had.
Throughout Mr. O'Briens remarks the
Irish members kept up perfect storm Of
applause When Mr. Wyndham. the chief
secretary for Ireland, entered the house,
the Irish members Kissed him loudly and
the speaker who was frequently on his
feet asking for order, sternly repressed
the demonstration.
Mr.. Lloyd-Cieorge, backed up by Irish
mem bers and T. P. O'Connor, brought the
excitement to a fever heat. bitterly up
braiding Mr.. Balfcur for declaring that
Irish matters must only be discussed by
favor Of the English Liberals.
Only after a heated coloquy with the
speaker was Mr.. O'Connor prevented from
voicing abuse of Mr. Wyndham and a
description of the alarming state of Ire
land. which the other nationalist members
had not touched on.
During the afternoon the speakers rui-
ing raised renewed clamor from the Irish
benches
Members of the house of lords. as spec
tators, crowded into the house of COM
mons in expectation of a scene for the
threats from the Irish benches became
more and more audible The climax came
Unexpectedly.
Mr.. Healy, amid intense excitement
said:
Il rise to speak as a native of Uganda"
and then in a speech which on all sides
was characterized as one of the finest sa-
tires ever heard in the house of commons.
Mr.. Hea1y, always as Usandan. thanked
the premier for his consideration which
enabled the imperial parliament to devote
time to the discussion of native affairs.
He complimented Mr.. Balfour on being
able to sufficiently detach himself as to
be obivious of the vital disturbances pre-
vailng in that distant and distressful
country. Ireland
In this vein which irresistibly held the
attention of the house and which caused
Mr.. Balfour himself frequent amusement,
Mr.. Healy completed what a unionist
member defined as one of 1.-The finest sa-
tirical indictments" the government had
| ever undergone.
Other nationalist members continued the
debate fiercely. declaring that irish affairs
were at present more important to Eng
land than any of the matter mentioned
in Mr.. Balfours programme.
William Redmond regretted that tho
Irish people could not with arms in their
hands strike a blow against the violent
tyranny to which they We're subjected.
The present action of the government. he
declared. afforded a reason why the men,
bers would take the first opportunity of
hurting the ministers from office.