The Irish standard., 1902-10-25
Amid a Terrific Uproar the Irish Member
Was Suspended on Motion of
the Tory Premier.
The British Tyrants Sat Cowed When the
Courageous Celt Voiced the
Feelings of Erin.

During an eACNlnS scene Ill tue
House Of Commons on October 1G,
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.
Mr. O'Donnell was suspended by a
vote of 341 to 81.
Patrick O'Brien asked that ut least
a day be devoted to the discussion of
the serious state of affairs in Irela I'd.
Mr.. Balfour replied that if the re-
quest for such an opportunity came
from the liberal leaders. the govern
ment would grant it. but THAT they
could not notice it from tie Irish
party.
William O'Brien .nereupon made an
impassioned speech, warning the house
that Ireland was OH tie verge of re-
volt. The Constitution, he said, was
practically suspended and NOW the
members We're gagged in the only
parliament they had.
Throughout Mr.. O'Briens remarks
the Irish members kept up storm Of
applause. When Mr.. Wyndham, chief
secretary fer Ireland, entered the
House, the Irish membels hssed him
loudly. and the speaker, who was fire.
quently on his feet asking for order,
sternly repressed the demonstrate
Lloyd George, backed by Irish
members. and T. ?. O'Cormor, brought
the excitement to fever heat, bitterly
upbraiding Mr.. Balfour for declaring
that Irish matters must be discussed
only by favlr of the English Liberals.
Only after ,lleatel coiloIuy with
the speaker was Mr.. O'Conror pre-
vented from voicing abuse of Mr..
WNlnlham and description of the
alarming state of IreElnd OH which the
other Nationalist members had not
touched.
Other Nationalist members continued
the debate fercely, declaring that Irish
affairs We're at present more important
to England than any Of the matters
mentioned in Mr.. Balfour's program
me.
William Redmond regretted that the
Irish people could not with arms i'm
their hands strike 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
fake the first opportunity of hurting
the Ministers from Office.
Ultimately Mr.. Balfour moved the
closure and the uproar br Ike out again
with renewed vigor. John O'Donnell
stood up and refused to give way to
the Speaker. His fellow Nationalists
shouted encouragement and cheered
vigorously. The Speaker repeatedly
warned Mr.. O'DomDell that he was out
of order.
Finally Mr.. Balfour moved the
suspension of MIR. O'Donnell and the
7latter crossed the floor, stood in front
of the premier, shouted defiance and
shook his fist in Mr.. Balfour's face.
The House then suspended O'Donnell.
T. P. O'Connor describes the uproar
as follows for the Associated Press:
have seen many strange and ex-
citing scenes in the House of Com
mons, but that of Thursday was the
most strange and most exciting. 1t
deserves serious notice as symptom
of and clew to the present political
condition.
John O'Donnell, the chief character
therein, is not the kind of man one
would expect to see figure in such a
scene. He is one Of those men who
show the remarkable powe" of Irish
men rising equal to great situations
however humble and unpromising
their origin. He was born in little
cottage on one of those small patches
of land in the west of Ireland, which
are the most remarkable specimens
of the wreckage of centuries. Yet he
speaks eloquently, chastely, and tho
strong physique of the peasant is sur