Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1887-09-10 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SUICIDE IN A CHURCH THROUGH POVERTY.. —On Tuesday Dr. Diplock, Coroner for West Middlesex, held an inquest at Fulham on the body of Henry Chasemore, aged 46, who committed suicide by hanging himself from a beam in the organ loft of Fulham Parish Church.—Ann Holder, the wife of • gardener, of 23, High-street Fulham, stated that the deceased had lodged in' her house for some months. Beyond a small ' sum ieceived by him as organ-blower she did not , know that he had any means of living. Witness gave him food, as he had no money to buy any. She had heard him say, "-I wish I could lie down and die."—Mr Watt, deputy-organist, deposed !that on Friday evening, when be went to the 11 church for organ practice, the deceased was hanging from a beam above the organ.—A juryman said he had personally ascertained that the deceased, who was of reserved and eccentric habit*, died in a state of great destitution. The deceased was partially a cripple.—The jury returned a yerdi(.4 of suicide whilst et unsound  land, the condemnation of " Jerry " work of all kinds and in all trades—on these and other subjects his utterances were full of pith and point. But his demand for the Eight Hours' Labour Bill, and his denunciation of the "unrestrained, ' unscrupulous, and remorseless forces of capital," sounded curiously, while his ' assertion that Socialism had "lost its terrors" for the working classes was exceedingly regrettable. That the workmen will combine on the Eight Hours' question we cannot yet believe without more ovi. deuce ; while to prefer tho abstract blessings of a theoretical Socialism to the practical and real necessity of capital is simply a grievous mistake. The danger of Socialism is that it is misunderstood. The most hopeful part of the address was the exhortation to propagate the principles of trades' unionism among continental workmen. Once do that, and the rest is plain sailing. There would be nothing to fear from continental competition if the working classes had to compete on a fair and equal basis.  I Tim prevailing feature of the Parliamentary situation is dulness. Everybody is tired to death of the session and all its works. The fag end of the Estimates has taken up an over-long time, and everyone is impatient for prorogation. The debates are more or less desultory conversations interspiced with fiery declamations from erratic members, but the last thing that the members seem disposed to do is to take things seriously. There will be one serious debate on the Irish Question before the end of the session, as the Opposition leaders intend to call in question the policy of the Government in regard to the proclamation of Irish meetings. This will take place on Monday, and will constitute the last protest of the session against the Irish policy of the Government. By a dodge Ministers have prevented the proclamation of the Ballycoree meeting last Sunday being made the subject of a special debate. One of their own supporters has given notice that he will call attention to it, and by a ruling of the Speaker made early in the session this will prevent the matter being debated now. Sir William Harcourt, however, who will take the initiative on Monday, will deal with the matter generally. Such a protest is necessary, but its practical value in staying the hand lof the Ministry is questionable. It may, on the other hand, lengthen the session: I but certainly it is a step which must be I taken.  Tux miserablefiaan last Sunday at Bally. coree has made the Irish Executive look considerably ridiculous: and that is about all the good affected. Immense preparations were made by the Irish authorities: police were drafted into the district by the hundred, the military were marshalled in imposing companies, all the paraphernalia of commissariat and ambulance corps added grim completeness to what might have been the preparations for a siege or battle, and in spite of all the object failed. The meeting was to be prevented, and in total disregard of police and troops, and the rest of it, the meeting was held. The place was a little different: but the whole effect of the meeting was secured; with the result that a serious blow was directed at the prestige and power of the Government. It was another instance of  The brave old Duke of York He had ten thousand men; He marched them up a hill. And he marched them down again.  In this case the hill was converted into an armed camp, and the beleaguered secured their object by avoiding it. The proclamation of the meeting was a mistake in the commencement, and the Government ought to have recognised the fact practically. They knew very well that they were blundering, and they ought to have had the courage of their knowledge. If the lesson of Sunday be taken to heart, and such stupid blunders be avoided for the future, the mistake will be valuable. But the Government are in the uncomfortable position of having obtained exceptional bullying powers. If they are to justify their Parliamentary demands, they must use these ; but if they use them they are outraging all law and justice, since, confessedly, Ireland was never freer from crime than at present. They must, therefore, be either unjust or inconsistent.  MIDDLESBROUGH can at length boast of a Liberal Club. This institution, long talked of, but conic at last, was informally opened on Tuesday, when a general meeting of the members of the Club was held. The Club was announced to be strong, already some 350 members having been enrolled. On the old weather principle of long fore • told long last, the Club ought to be a per. nianent success. There is plenty of work to be done, and if the result of the insti. tution be the unearthing of a number of men willing to work hard in the cause of ILiberalism the Club will do a great deal. Middlesbrough should really be the chief centre of political activity for the district. Instead of that, it has been more a centre of apathy. Much of the future of the Club will depend upon its management in its infancy, and this 'will be carefully watched.. The start has certainly been propitious, and we wish it a long lifo and a merry and useful one.  A Snarrox