The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-21

London, October 16.-Parliament was |
~Te-opened today without any of the |
usual 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 ses-
sion promises to be the occasion of the |
most serious party struggle witnessed in
the house Of since the last !
liberal government retired from office.
Seven hundred and fifty amendments
to the education bill await considera-
ton. Of which number 58S have been
proposed by the liberals.
h sitting opened with a turbulent
debate Premier Balfour 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 Lon
don water bills, while the Indian budget.
the Uganda railroad. SUGAR bounties and
the supply vote would enable the pro-
cedure to be carried out. The Trans
Vaal he added. would also reuuire at
tentieH.
James Bryce leading the liberals, in
the absence of Sir denry Campbell
Zimmerman, made u mild protest and
then came a storm. Patrick Olfricn-
sitting in the place usually occupied py
John Redmond. the irish leader in the
house, asked that at least a day between
now and Christmas he devOLnd to the
discussion of the serious state u: Iffairs
in ireland.
Mr.. Balfour replied That if the request
Tor such an opportunity came from the
liberal leaders. the government would
grant IT, but they cOuI1 not notice it
IRON the Irish party.
William OBrien thereupon made an
1mpasstoned speech warming the house
that Ireland was on the verge of revolt.
The constitution, he said. was practical
ly suspended and no., the members
were gagged in the only parliament they
had.
Throughout Mr.. OiSrien's remarks.
the Irish members kept up a perfect
storm Of applause.
When MIR. Wyndham the chief sec
Rotary FOR Ireland entered the house.
the Irish members Kissed BIN loudly
and the speaker who was frequently on
his feet asking for order. starnIy re-
pressed the demonstration.
Mr. Lloyd-GeOrge, backed IN hy Irish
members, and t. p. O',ornOr, brought
the excitement to a fever heat. bitterly
upbraiding Mr.. BaIfour for declaring
that Irish matters must only DE dis
cussed by favor of the english liberals.
only after a heated oolloquy with the
speaker was Mr.. O'CCnnCr 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
ruilng raised renewed ClamOr from the
Irish benches.
Members of the House of Lords. as
spectators. crowded into the house of
in expectation CT a scene, for
The threats from the Irish benches be-
came more and more audible. The eli
max came unexpectedly. Mr.. Healy.
amidst intense excitement said:
L rise to speak as a native of Ugan-
ia and then in a speech which on all
sides was characterized as one of the
nnest satires ever heard in the house of
commons. Mr.. Healy. always as a
Ugandan. thanked the premier for his
consideration which enabled the impe-
rial parliament to devote time to the
discussion of native affairs. He COM
plimented Mr.. Balfour on being able to
sufficiently detach himself so as to be
ooIlv1eus of the vital disturbances pre-
vailing I'm that distant and distressful
country. Ireland"
In this vein. which frresistibly held
the attention of the house and which
caused Mr.. Balfour himself frequent
amusement. Mr.. Healy completed what
a unionfst member defined as one of the
finest satirical indictments the gov
ernnneRt had ever undergone.
Other nationalist members continued
the debate fercely, declaring that Irish
affairs were at present more important
70 England than any OF the matters
mentioned in Balfour's programme.
William Redmond regretted that the
Irish people could not with arms in
their hands strike a blow against the
violent tvrQnnV r. u-hiah 4hnx- r-1-o -,A
Jected- The present action of the gov
rnmen he declared, afforded a reason
why the Irish members would take the
hrst opportunity of hurting the minis
ters from office.
Ultimately Mr.. Balfour moved the
closure and the uproar broke out again
with renewed vigor. John O'Donnen
stood up and refused to give way TO the
speaker. His fellow nationalist
shouted encouragement and cheered
vigorously. The speaker repeatedly
warne Mr.. O'Donnell that he was out
Of order and an exciting scene followed.
Mr.. Balfour moved the suspension OF
Mr.. O'Donnell and the latter crossed
the floor, stood in front of the premier,
shouted defiance and shook his fist in
MT Balfour's face. The house sus-
pended Mr.. O'Donnel by a vote OF 81
to 81.
MI. Balfour smiled quietly as the Irish
member shouted and g~esticulated, and
other nembers Of the cabinet. fearing
that Ar. ODonnell would actually as
sault the premier, moved toward him.
but Ar. O'Donnell having concluded
he had to say returned to his seat
and then left the house.
Previous to the action of the house in
s~uspending Mr.. O'Donnell the speaker
mad the usual formal request that the
offending member withdraw, which
drew forth derisive cries of "call the
police" muster the horse guards" etc