The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-12-20 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE SPECIAL CO MISSION.  TEI IRI Y-FI RST DAY.  FXTTI %ORDINARY SCENE IN COURT.  -• The judges teek their seate piinetuelly on Friday morning, and almost immediately the Astorney-Generwl said he had to a-It that the Court shonlit sit specially for the pie 'sem of dealing with the case of Mr. William fill, ien, M P., who had written an article in Un/f ot Irekua which he thought the Court should take some notice of. Then, atiiidt dead silence, the Attorney-General read the article which spike of Cie " forger " (meetiing the Times) and the Government combined, "deseerately struggling to get out of the mess into which they hadget,"and pieeeeded "With all tesret for the court, we don't care two-pence for the opinion of the three jedgeit who were speeintly selected in the teeth of Literal remenstranee by the. I. wger's necompiices end friends. As•otoing that the Coercion ticvernownt which s_peteally selected them for their partiality is deeeived, their judgment is still open to question." 'I he article proceeded to ..iteak of the "iiifattens attempt " to bribe a witness (Molloy) in such a way that the bribe could he recovered if the Cr ideuce did not appear worth the money paid for it.  Mr. Reid was at once ready with his counterblast. He said lie also would like to make a similar application with regard to a report which appeared in the Times of a speech made by Mr. Brodriek, the Warden of Merton College. He had had the matter before him previously, but he 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 bring these matters forward at the slightest piovocation.  The nt. (warmly): I don't think you ought to euty that, Mt. Reid. That is nut a proper °Worm tion.  Mr. Jusitice Smith : I quite agree. I don't think that is right.  Mr. Reid: Well, my lord, I had hair(' that after the al peals your lordship had made these things wo. la not 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 a loud and exci e 1 voice, " If it were in my power I would tli. instant throw np the 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. I am 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 Whitechapel 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, must appear at the court on the first day after the adjournment. 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.  MR.