Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-17
CONSTANT UPROAR.
Exciting Scenes at Opening Of
British Parliament.
The Irish Members Very Much in
Evidence Throughout Session.
Healy's Satire ConvuIses House-John
O'Donneli Suspended.

hoiiuoii. oct.- lb.-Pafliament was re-
opened, today. without any OF the usual
| forrnalities. the House proceeding i'm
mediateiy to the business of the day
as soon as the Speaker took the chair
| shortly after 2 r. Nj. The session is
likely to last until nearly Christmas
| Owing to the highly controversial
character OF the education bill and the
| unbending determination of both sides,
the session promises 10 be the occasion
of the most serious party struggle wit
messed in the House of Commons since
the last Liberal government retired
| from Office. Seven hundred and fifty
amendments to the education bill await
consideration. of which 5SS have been
proposed by the Liberals.
The sitting opened with n turbulent
debate. Premier lSalfour moved that
the remainder of the session be entirely
devoted to government business, which
he explained would consist mainly of
the discussion of the education and
London water bills, while the Indian
budget. the Uganda railroad, sugar
bounties and the supply vote would en-
able a procedure to be carried out The
Transvaal. he added, would also re-
quire attention.
James Bryce. leading the Liberals in
the absence of Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerrlan, made a wild protest and
then came a storm.
Patrick O'Brien, sitting in the place
usually occupied by John Redmond.
the Irish leader in the House, asked
that at least day between now and
Christmas be devoted to the discussion
of the serious state of affairs in Ire
land.
Mr. Balfour replied that if the re-
quest for stch an opportunity came
from the Liberal leaders the govern
ment would grant it. but they could
not recognize it from the Irish.
VIM. O'Brien then made an impas-
stoned speech. warning the House that
Ireland was on the verge of revolt
The constitution, he,said. was practi-
cally suspended and now that members
We're gagged in the only Parliament
they had.
Throughout Mr.. O'Brien's remarks
the Irish members kept up perfect
storm OF applause. When Mr.. Wynd-
ham. 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 demon
stration.
MIR. Lloyd-George. backed up by
Irish members and T. p. OConnor,
brought the excitement to fever heat.
bitterly upbraiding Mr.. Balfour for de-
ciaring that Irish matters must only
be discussed by favor OF the Engnsh
Liberals. Only after a heated coiloquy
with the Speaker was Mr.. O'Connor
prevented from voicing abuse of Mr..
Wyndham and a description of the
alarming state of Ireland which the
other Nationalist members had not
touched on.
During the afternoon the Speakers
rulings raised renewed clamor from
the Irish benches.
Members Of the House of Lords as
spectators crowded into the House of
Commons in expectation of a scene,
for the threats from the Irish benches
became more and more audible. The
climax came suddenly. Mr.. Healy
amidst intense excitement said in icy
tones:
Il rise To speak as a native of Ugan-
da." The House was convulsed with
laughter. In the speech. which on all
sides was characterized as one of the
finest satires ever heard in the House
OF Commons, Mr.. Healy, always as
il Ugandan. thanked the premier for
his consideration which enabled the
imperial Parliament to devote time
to the discussion of native affairs. He
compImented MIR. Balfour on being
able to sufficiently detach himself so
as to be obvious of the vital disturb
ances prevailing in that distant ana
distressful country. Ireland"
In this vein, which irresistibly held
the attention of the House and caused
Mr. Balfour himself frequent amuse-
ment, MI. Healy completed what q
Tnionist member designated zone OF
the finest satirical indictments the
government had ever undergone.
Other Nationalist members con-
tinued the debate. fereely declaring
that Irish affairs We're at present more
important to England than any other
matter mentioned in Mr.. Balfours
program.
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