The Warwickshire Herald. — 1893-02-16 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

THE DYNAMITIC PRISONERS.  The debate on the Address was resumed by Mr. J. Itedinond, who moved an amendment representing that the cases of all prisoners convicted under the Treason Felony Act, now undergoing punishment for offences arising out of insurrectionary movements connected with Ireland, might be advantageously reconsidered. Ile urgi d the release of tiiese men on the grounds that they were political offenders, that a reconsideration ot their convictions would shew that many of these were of a dubious character, and that even if an amnesty was not approved of the men had been ionislied sufficiently for their crimes.—Mr. Clancy having eecouded the amendment.  Mr. Asquith stated that since he had become Homo Secretary he had most carefully considered all the cases, and all the facts and allegations of fact, and if be entertai,ed any doubt as to the propriety of the convictions or the extent of the punishment he should have acted upon it. In the case ol Egan there was nothing to connect him with participation in the conspiracy for using dynamite. and considering that he had been sufficiently p bed for the offence of treason-felony he (the Home Secretary, bad ordered his release. The evidence of the guilt of the other prisoners was conclusive; they had been guilty of a most heinous crime, next only to that of murder, and so long as be was Home Sc,retary none of tie in would receive treatment diffennt from that of other criminals. By such terrible and reckless methods as the dynamiters adopted against society they put themselves outside the pale of political prisoners, and such persons he declared, amidst cheers from both sides 01 the House, should receive no consideration or indulgence from any British Government. Mr. T. Harrington deplored the unconciliatory tone of the Home Secretary, and declared that it would increase the difficulties of the Government. —Colonel Nolan described the Home Secretary's speech as an electioneering move for the purpose of getting English votes.—Mr. B. Coleridge agreed with the conclusions of the Home Secretary, but regretted the tone of his remarks. He hoped that whatever vote they might give it would not he considered that they had finally closed the prison doors.—Sir V. Milner thought that the manly and satisfactory speech of the Home Secretary would reassure the House and the country. Mr. Justin M`Carthy agreed with previous speakers in regretting the tone of the Home Secretary, which suggested the closing of the gates of mercy with a clang. While he and his friends considered that the motion was brought forward at a time which was not opportune or favourable, they could not refuse to support it. He suggested that the grant of Home Rule would be AS appropriate occasion tor the exercise of clemency. —Mr. A. J. Balfour expressed his hearty concurrence with the speech of the Home Secretary, and congratulated the Liberal Party and the country upon having the services of a politician who know his own mind upon the questions with which as Home tiecretaiy he had to deal, and could state It without circumlocution or ambiguity. On a division the amendment was negatived by 397 against 81. Mr. O'Neill moved the adjournment of the debate oa the Address, which was resisted by Sir W. Harcourt. and, after an acrimonious discussion, it was negatived by 263 against 183.