Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1888-12-22 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

THE SPECIAL COMMISSION.  THIRTY-FIRST DAY.  EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN COURT. The judges took their seats punctually on Friday morning, and almost immediately the At. torney-General said he had to ask that the Court should sit specially for the purpose of dealing with the case of Mr. William O'Brien, M.P., who had written an article in United Ireland which he thought the Court should take some notice of. Then, amidst dead silence, the Attorney-General read the article which spoke of the " forger " (meaning the Times) and the Government combined, "desperately struggling to get out of the mess into which they had got," and proceeded' With all respect for the court, we don't care two-pence for the opinion of the three judges who were specially selected in the teeth of Liberal remonstrance by the forres accomplices and friends. Assuming that the Coercion Government which specially selected them for their partiality is deceived, their judgment is still open to question." The article proceeded to speak of the "infamous attempt" to bribe a witness (Molloy) in such a way that the bribe could be recovered if the evidence did not appear worth the money paid for it.  Mr. Reid was at once ready with his counterblast. He said he also would like to make a similar application with regard to a report which appeared in the Tinc.s of a speech made by Mr. Brodrick, the Warden of Merton College. He had had the matter before him previously, but lie had shrunk from bringing all the vulgarity which was spoken and written on the subject before the Court. But he must do so now, as his learned friend seemed disposed -to brill(' these 0. matters forward at the slightest provocation. The President (warmly): I don't think you ought ',say that, Mr. Reid. That is not a proper observa,;Th•  Mr. Justice Smith: I quite agree. I don't think ;tat it right.  Mr. Reid: Well, my lord, I had hoped that after the appeals your lordship had made these things would nob happen— _ _ _  The President at this seemed worked up into a state of great excitement. Throwing down his pen on the book which lay before him,he cried in aloud and excited voice, "If it were in my power I would this instant throw up this Commission on account of these interferences with the course of justice." Then adding, in a plaintive and somewhat suffering tone, " But I have a duty I cannot get rid of. lam bound to the stake." _ _ _  Mr. Reid expressed his entire sympathy with the President. He then proceeded to read the report in the Times of the speech made by the Warden of Merton College, in which, referring to branches of the Home Rule League and National League at Oxford, the speaker said he did not know that either of them had yet taken an active part in getting up outrages, but they might yet succeed in attracting the attention of the Parnell Commissioners. He also said these societies had received visits from Davitt, Dillon, and others, and no doubt if the Whitechapcl murderer could be identified he would be asked to come and lecture for them. This, the learned counsel contended, was an evident comparison of the gentlemen for whom he appeared, and who were parties to the case, with an infamous criminal.  The judges consulted together, and the President said they had come to the conclusion that it was a matter that should be disposed of as promptly as possible, and they must therefore call on Mr. W. O'Brien to appear before the Court next morning. With regard to the other case, the Warden of Merton College, Oxford,n4ust appear at the court on the first day after the .adjourarsent. Mr. Reid said he would do his best to procure Mr. O'Brien's presence. Subsequently, however, it appeared that there was some doubt about United Ireland appearing in London, and, as an affidavit was found to be necessary, this matter also was adjourned until January.  Mn.