Widnes Examiner. — 1886-09-11 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

CIVIL SERVICE ESIIMATES.  Upon the order to go into Committee of Supply, for the first time, upon the Civil Service Estimates, which was called on at a quarter past five o'clock, Mr. Pickersgill proposed to assail a regulation of the Local Government Board affecting metropolitan unions, but he discovered to his confusion— and the House roared over his disappointment—that he was precluded from going on with his prepared speech because he had himself already brought in a bill to deal with the same matter. As Mr. Tuite was prevented from adverting to the Barbavilla murders, notwithstanding Mr. Sexton's interposition on his behalf, cheerful expectations arose that the work of voting Supply might be resumed without delay. Mr. Conway was free to make his protest against the treatment of denominational schools under the present School Board system,but be by Bo means abused his opportunity, and he received such warm expressions of sympathy, not only from the Vice-President of the Council, but also from Lord Cranborne and others of the Tory party, that he was easily persuaded not to press his amendment, especially as Lord I Cranborne went across the floor to confer with him. In this as In other matters the Government trusted to a Royal Commission to help them out of a difficulty, and the subject was disposed of is a very short time. Mr. Tuite was again baffled in his endeavour to promote controversy, and Mr. Biggar was foiled in an attempt to raise an irrelevant debate, but still no resentment was displayed by the Irishmen, and it was in the qnietest possible manner that Mr. Dillon touched upon the subject of the Royal Irish Constabulary as connected with the enforcement of evictions. That subject being once broached opened the floodgates of Irish rhetoric for a time, and in spite of a mild remonstrance from Sir M. Hicks-Beach, Mr. Edward Harrington persisted in discoursing on the theme for the greater.part of an hour. Mr. 1. D. Pyne demanded a count in order to ensure an adequate audience for his friend Mr. B. Kelly; and after Mr. Labouchere had interpolated a brief reference to the mismanagement of the Department of Woods and Forests, with the result of obtaining satisfactory pledges of investigation from the Government, M. Pyne himself took up the topic of the Irish constabulary, and startled and amused a thin House by one of the most eccentric displays of Hibernian oratory that have yet been produced by the Parnellite party. At the same time he seemed to be thoroughly in earnest, and an appearance of sincerity saved him from suspicion of any deliberate obstructive design. When his harangue ceased, Dr. Tanner presented himself from under the side gallery to continue the debate; but he received a sudden check from the Speaker, and failed to protract his remarks beyond ordinary limits. Mr.O'Hanlon was literally "brought to book" by Mr. Tomlinson, who had long been studying a small volume bearing upon the rules of procedure; and as it was now half-past nine o'clock, and nearly • five hours had been frittered away, the Irish members allowed the House to go into Committee of Supply. On the Civil Services Estimates, Mr. Labouchere moved that the vote of £15,978 for the salaries and expenses of the officers of the House of Lords be red nced by the sum of £l,7oo.—After discussion the Committee divided—For Mr. Labouchere's amendment, 98; against, 173; majority against, 75.—0 n the vote of £23,560 for the Treasury. Mr. LABOUCHERE moved its reduction by £3,000, a portion of the salary of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The noble Lord had made many speeches in the House on the subject of economy, and it wtmld be a proof of his desire for economy if he were to agree to this reduction of his salary. Allowing that the noble Lord was the equal of Prince Bismarck, if £2,400 was sufficient for him, then the noble Lord, who received £5,000, was surely over paid. (Laughter.) The total salary of the present Ministers was about £160,000, and of that sum £llO,OOO was received by peers and peers' sons.—The Committee divided without discussion, and Mr. La6ouchere's motion was rejected by 181 to 66. Progress was afterwards reported, and the House resumed. The report of Wednesday's Supply was adopted. —On the report of Tuesday's Supply, Mr. SEXTON complained of the sale of Government powder at cost price to