The Telegram. — 1893-05-02 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

ARREST OF AN ARMED "UNIONIST."  All the wild and wicked words of the last few months haveat length taken effect, and on Wednes• day night the pollee &nested an Al tined loan whom there is every reason to believe has been following Mr. Gladstone for several days past with a leaded revolver. The advice given by one of the 'rory leaders "to beat down the local police " was fortunately frustrated, and the local police " beat down the would -be assassin. Is appears that oil Wednesday night, at about ten minutes to 12, P.C. 554 A was on duty an the Horse Guards Parade, when he was passed by a min of about 38 years of age, who walked hurriedly past lion in the direction of Carlton House Terrace. The constable shouted after liim that be could not get through, its the gates were closed, upon which the luau at once turned round anti tired a revolver, though whether he tired at the constable or not it is difficult to say. The constable (who ought "to have been beaten down ") closed with the man, and secured him. He was at once taken to King Street Police-station. He was quite sober, and appeared to be sane. On being tearched a book was found on bin, containing is record of Mr. Gladstone's movements for several days, and Mr. Gladstone is said by some to base *My just passed at the tune of the prisoner's :iriest. The man was charged at Bow Street Policestation on Thursday morning with firing a revolver to the common danger.  Inspector Cuddy sail the prisoner gave tile name of Townsend, of 17, Hyde Road, Sheffield, and described himself as a gunsmith. The following statement was found upon him :—" The reason why. April 22nd, 1893. The !second reading of the Irish Home Rule gill passed by Gladstone's Government by their full majority, including that cur 'Saunders. All this talking appears not to have made a single convert. Howev.:-r it is now time for action. What was the use of the Ulster men howling and calling him a traitor ? That not upset the Bill. There is such a thing ss wilful murder, and yet it may be simply a purely justifiable homicide. Now prove it. What said Sir Henry James, one of the greatest lawyers in the land, and yet one of the greatest of men. See Gladstone's speech last night. What said Colonel Saunderson  Sir John Bridge: T'oere is in the book a quantity of writing in reference to the Home Rule Bill. Before it is wade public I shall remand the prisoner for enquiries. Prisoner was then remanded.  It is said that the authorities attach a great deal more importance to the arrest of the man Townsend than was at first supposed. The man's anticedents at Sheffield, and his movements in London, Brighton, and other places have been thoroughly investigated. It has been ascertained that Townsend was very eccentric in his habits, sonietinies working regularly for considerable periods and then disappearing in a mysterious manner for days together. There is some reason to believe that Townsend was at Brighton when Mr. Gladstone stayed at the Grand [hotel in that town, early in the spring, and that he was the man who called out " Traitor ! as the Premier was leaving church, therehy causing a crowd to assemble and compelling the right hon. gentleman to return to his lodgings in a cat. A careful search has been made for the bullet which it is assumed Townsend fired, but so far without success. Mr. Gladstone continues to treat the affair with the greatest indifference.  Speaking gib • Tory smoking concert, held at Burgess Hill the other night, Mr. T. Sinnock is reported to have said, " Mr. Gladstone was an old man, nearly 83 years of age, and that was the only argument that c.aild Lie adduced in his favour. If he were not so old lie would to shot, and he thought the man who did the deed would not he deserving if much punishment. (Ali. planse.) Mr. Gladstone was a great traitor, awl traitors should be shot, although he would be sorry to see that occur." (Loud applause.)