The Savannah morning news., 1902-10-17
PARLIAMENT IN ROW
ENGLISH LEGISLATIVE BODY FINDS
DELIBERATION DIFFICULT.
IRISH MEMBERS TURBULENT.
LIBERALS PROTEST AGAINST PRE-
MIER BALFOURS PROGRAMME.

Speech-Member O'DOnneu Sus-
pended.
London, Oct. 16.-Parliament was re-
opened to-day without any of the US
ual formalities, the House proceeding
Immediately to the business of the day.
Owing to the controversial character
of the education bill and the unbend-
ing determination of both sides. the
session promises to be the occasion of
the most serious party struggles wit
messed in the House of Commons since
the last Liberal government retired
from office. Seven hundred and firty
amendments to the education bill await
consideration, of which number SIS
have been proposed by the Liberals.
The sitting opened with a turbulent
debate. Premier Balfour moved that
the remainder of the session be en-
tirely devoted to government business,
which, he explained, would consist
mainly of the discussion of the edu-
cation and London water bills, while
the Indian budget, the Uganda rail-
road, sugar bounties and the supply
vote would enable the procedure to be
carried out. The Transvaal, he added,
would also require attention.
James Bryce, leading the Liberals in
the absence of Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, 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 Christ
mas be devoted to the discussion of
the serious state of affairs in Ireland.
Mr.. Balfour replied that if the re-
quest for such an opportunity came
from the Liberal leaders the govern
ment would grant it, but they could
not notice it from the Irish party.
William O'Brien thereupOn made an
impassioned speech, warning the House
that Ireland was on the verge of re-
volt. The constitution, he said, was
practically suspended and now the
members were gagged in the only par
Lament they had.
Throughout Mr.. O'Brien's remarks
the Irish members kept up a 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 asking for order,
sternly repressed the demonstration.
Mr.. Lloyd-George, backed by Irish
members, and 7. p. O'Connor, brought
the excitement to a fever heat and Bit
terly upbraided Mr.. Balfour for de-
claring that Irish matters must only
be discussed by favor of the English
Liberals.
Only after a heated colloquey with
the Speaker was Mr.. O'Connor pre-
vented from voicing abuse of Mr..
Wyndham and a description of the
alarming state of Ireland, which the
other Nationalist members had not
touched upon.
During the afternoon the Speakers
ruling 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 Unexpectedly. Mr.. Healy,
amidst intense excitement, said:
L rise to speak as a native of Ugan-
d." and then in a speech which on all
sides was characterized as one of the
finest satireS ever heard in the House
of Commons. Mr.. Healy always as
a Ugandan, 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 oblivious of the vital disturb
ances prevailing 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
Mr.. Healy completed what
a Unionist member defined as one
of the finest satirical indictments" the
had ever undergone.
Other Nationalist members contin-
ued the debate fiercely, declaring that
Iris affairs were at present more i'm
portant to England than any of the
matters mentioned in Mr.. Balfour's
William Redmond regretted that the
Irish people could not with arms in
their hands strike a blow against the
violent tyranny to which they were
subjected. The present action of
the government, he declared, afforded
a reason why the Irish members would
take the first opportunity of hurting
the ministers from office.
Ultimately Mr.. Balfour moved the |
closure and the uproar broke out again |
with renewed vigor. John O'Donnell |
the Speaker. His fellow Nationalists |
shouted encouragement and cheered |
The speaker repeatedly |
warned Mr.. O'Donnell that he was out |
of order and an exciting scene follow
ed. Mr. Balfour moved the suspension !
of Mr.. ODonnell and the latter crossed |
the floor, stood in front of the pre- |
nier, shouted defiance and shook his |
fist in Mr.. Balfours face. The House |
suspended Mr.. ODonnell by vote of |
341 to 81.
Mr.. Balfour smiled quietly as the |
Irish member shouted and gesticulated, |
and other members of the cabinet, |
fearing that Mr.. O'Donnell would act |
ually assault the premier, moved to-
wards him, but Mr.. O'Donnell having |
what he had to say, re-
turned to his seat and then left the
House.
Previous to the action of the House
in suspending Mr.. O'Donnell the
Speaker made the usual formal re-
quest that the offending member with
draw, which brought forth derisive
cries of Call the police" Muster the
Horse Guards" etc.
The debate was then closed by vote
of 263 to 14S.
Mr.. wyndham again came in for
SOME lively Kissing as he returned
from the division lobby.
Mr. Balfour's motion was then car
ried by vote of 262 to las. and the |