Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1888-11-17 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

THE POLICE VOTE.  In Committee of Supply Sir Walter Barttelot fended the action of Sir Charles Warren, and expressed the opinion that justice had not been dose to the Chief Commissioner. Mr. Cuninghame Graham said Sir Charlie Warren was the worst fitted man in the British Entpire to fill the position of Chief Commissioner; he bad overridden the Constitution, and treated British citizens as if they were rebels in the South Seas. Referring to the meeting at Clerkenwell-green, the speaker said that meeting was called to protest against the interference with the right of meeting in Trafalgar-square, to rejoice over the resignation of Sir C. Warren, and to call for the resignation of the Home Secretary. At the conclusion of the meeting, about 10,000 of the Finsbury contingent re-formed into prooeseion to march back, when they were charged by thopolice. He thought he was well within bis right in impeachlug the Home Secretary for treating poor people in this way. Was it the intention of the Government to put down public meetings altogether? Mr. Bartley contended that Sir Charles Warren had been sacrificed to the demagogues who had tried to lash up some ill-feeling between the people and the police. Sir W. Harcourt observed that the state of things which existed in Scotland-yard, as revealed by IN letters that Mid been read, was new to him. During the tire years he was at the Home Office he had no experience of that sort. The relations between the Home Office and the Chief Commissioner were this of the most harmonious character. He did not remember any differences having arisen. Referring to the right of public meeting, he thought that should not in any way be interfered with. No doubt some of the public had become necessarily alarmed by the riots which took plat* in 1886, but that was entirely an accident ; such a thing had not occurred before for many a year, and he did not believe would °mar again. Sir William attached enormous importance to maintaining the civilian character of the police. He did not believe that there was any ill-feeling or antagonism between the people and the police, and hoped the policy of the police would always be one founded on the basis of trust in the people, who did not deserve suspicion. If that policy were pursued there would be no necessity to increase the force. It was foolish to blame the police for not bringing the Whiteohapel murderer to justice. They had done the best they C'JU Id. (Cheers.) Mr. Matthews remarked that he entirely concurred in what Sir William Harcourt had said about public meetings, and agreed that to supprem public meetings in in London would be a most disastrous course. principle or right of public meetings had never met with opposition from her Majesty's Government. Mr. hlatthemi paid a tribute to the ability and indefatigable activity of Sir Charles Warren. He denied that Sir Charles had been in any way sacrificed to the clamorous demands*, demagogues. The Government felt it necessary to uphold the principle which bad been laid doe/it—namely, that in the last resort it must be the Home Secretary who was responsible for the actions of the police. He believed the police had done nothing to disentitle them to the confidence and affection whkdi they had so long enjoyed. Mr. Pickersgill complained that during Sir Charles Warren's administration there had been an increase in crime.  The Home Secretary said, respecting alleged violence on the part of the police in breaking up a public meeting in Clerkea well-green, he had made inquiries, and found that not the slightest attempt had been made to disperse the meeting, and that no collision took place between the police sad the ptnple. _ _ _ _ _  General Goldsworthy said he was not one of the admirers of the Home Secretary, and never had been. (Laughter.) But he agreed that the ,Trafalgar-square meetings could not be tolerated.— Mr. Conybeare declined to consent to the abandonment of the claim of the people to the free use of Trafsagar square for the pupose of public meetings. After further discuaNion, the Committee divided, when there appeared: For the reduction of the vote, '.11: against it, 31/7.  In reply to Mr:Henniker. Heaton, Sir John Gorst sold a letter had been received from the AgentGeneral of South Australia with regard to Sir Henry Blake's appointment, but that the Government had not yet had time to consider it.