Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-20
IRISH. FIST IN
PREMIER'S
FACE
JOHN 0'D0NNELL SHOWS HIS
WRATH AND IS EXPELLED
FROM THE HOUSE OF COM
MONS.

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
prenier's face.
Mr.. oDonnell was suspended by vote
of 341 to 81.
Parliament was re-opened today without
any formalities, the house proceeding i'm
mediately to the duties Of the day. Owing
to the controversial charaotion of the edu-
cational bill, and the unbending determi-
nation of both sides, the session promises
to be the occasion of the most serious
party struggle witnessed in the house OF
commons since the last. liberal government
retired from office.
The sitting opened with turbulent de-
bate. Premier Balfour moved that the re-
mainder of the session be entirely devoted
to government business which, he explain
ed. would consist mainly of the discussion
of the education bill and London water
bin, while the IndIan budget, the Uganda
railroad. sugar bounties and the supply
vote would take up the proceedings later
The Transvaal, he added, also would re-
quire attention.
Sir Edward Bryce, leading the Liberals,
IN the absence Of Sir Henry Campbell
Zimmerman, made mild protest and
then came 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 the Christ
mas holidays, be devoted to the discus
sion of the serious state OF affairs In ire
land
ireland Is Ignored.
Mr.. Palfour replied that II the request
for such an opportunity came from the
Liberal leaders, the government would
grant it. but they could not notice 1t from
the Irish party.
William O'Brien thereupon made an
iupassioned speech, warning the mouse
that ireland was on the verge Of revolt.
The constitution, he said was practically
suspended and now the members were
gagged in the only parliament they had.
throughout Mr.. O'Brien's remarks the
Irish members kept up perfect storm Of
applause When Mr.. Wundham. the
chief secretary for leland, entered the
house, the Irish members Missed him
loudly and the speaker. who was fire.
quently on his feet, asking for order
sternly depressed the demonstration.
Mr.. Lloyd Gerard, backed up by Irish
members and T. p. O'Connor, wrought
the excitement to fever heat. bitterly up
braiding Mr.. Balfour for declaring that
Irish matters must only be discussed by
favor of the English liberals. f.t
After a heated colloquy with the speak
er Mr. O'Connor prevented from voicing
abuse of Mr.. Wyndhna and description
of the alarming state of Ireland. which
the other nationalist members had not
touched on.
During the afternoon the speakers rul-
ing raised renewed clamor from the Irish
benches. .-ta
Members of the house of lords, as
spectators, crowded in to the house of
commons in expectation of a scene, as
the Irish members became more and more
excited. The climax came Unexpectedly.
Mr.. Healy. amid intense excitement. said:
II rise to speak as native Of Uganda,
and then In a speech which on all sides
was characterized as one Of the finest
satires ever heard in the house OF COM
mons, Mr. FTealy, 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 complmented Mr.. Balfour on
being able to sufficiently detach himself
so as to be obliyious of the vital disturb
ances prevailing in ''that distant and dis
tressful 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
dictments' the government had ever I'M
dergone.
Other Nationalist members continued
the debate fercely, declaring that Irish
affairs were at present more important to
England than any of the matters men
toned in Mr., Balfour's program.
William Redmod regretted that. the
Irish people could not with arms in their
hands. strike a blow against the violent
ftrra fn nh me-
The present action Of the government
he declared. afforded a reason why Irish
members would take the first opportunity
Of hurting the ministers from office.
o'Donneli Wanted Blood. :,
Ultimately Mr.. Balfour moved the clos
ure and the uproar broke out again with
renewed vigor.
John O'Donnell stood up and refused to
give way to the speaker. His fellow ma
tlonalists shouted encouragement and
cheered vigorously. The speaker repeated
" warned Mr.. ODonnell that he was out
of order and an exciting scene followed.
Mr.. Balfour moved the suspension OF
Mr.. O'Donuell and the latter crossed the
floor. stood in front of the premier, shout
ed defiance and shook his fist in Mr.. Bal
tours face.
The house suspended Mr.. O'Donnell by
a vote of 81 10 81.
Mr.. Balfour smiled quietly as the Irish
member shouted and gesticulated, and
other members, of the ca binet, fearing that
Mr.. ODonnell would actually assault the
premier. moved toward him, but Mr..
O'Donnell. having concluded what he had
to say, returned 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 request that the
offending member withdraw, which drew
forth derisive cries of:
call the police Muster the Horse
Guards" etc.
The debate was then closed by a vote of
263 to 1f1.
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