en (FoR THE WEEK ENDING THE 9TH OF JUNE.)
We reprinted the other day the burlesque report from the London Daily News of a scene in the House of Commons, which subsequently became the occasion of a discussion in the House. Here is the greater part of the speech of Mr. A, J. Balfour, the Conservative leader—perhaps we should say joint-leader with Mr. Chamberlain—on the subject There has been undoubtedly an attempt in some quarters—of which the extract read from this newspaper is a specimen—to make out that in the important controversy in which we are engaged there is the desire on the part of honourable gentlemen behind me to personally embarrass the right hon, gentleman in charge of the Bill. It is not possible that an accusation of that kind should not be Fogardedby usasdceply injurious, (Hear, hear.)
House has, I believe, never allowed porsonal considerations to enter into its procedure; and however vehement party hostility may be, personal generosity is never absent from among us. And at the present moment there is not a single individual in this House, be his opinion what it may, or be the part which he takes in this debate what it may, who is not perfectly certain of fair and honourable treatment at the hands of those who differ from him, (Cheers.) And if that be true of all honourable members in this House how much more likely to be true of the right honourable gentleman the Prime Minister, who, however much we may differ, and however much we do differ on various questions that come before us, has behind him 50 years of great career, and whom we all recognise as one of the greatest figures who have illustrated and adorned this House since Par-Hiamentary history began, (Cheers,) (Mr. Gladstone here bowed.) I desired to make this brief statement because the right hon, gentleman, being from the very nature of the case in the very forefront of this great battle, posi not say interrupted, hut ery. one must admit, by his subject to exclamations in the course of his speech intimating dissent from or assent to ows from various sections of this House. That is the fate of every man who takes a pro. minent part in Parliamentary controversy, I sentiments of every man who sits behind me, know that in saying this T'am speaking the when I say thatas far is the right hon, gentle: man is concerned we desire not only to give him fair play, but more than fair play (cheers), if may use the expression. (Cheers.) Never should the weapon of unintelligent interrupt. tion be used, It is a weapon that should never be us ist any man and especially against one in the position of the fight hon, gentleman the Prime Minister, (Cheers.)
y dismiss the subject with two from the Times and Daily News respectively. The Times says ious reason to complain presentation which derives i its professing to be based on reports mentary debates. The pretended ion of i the Prime Minister was subjected to continuous and insulting interruptions, and in which Mr. Chamberlain mocked at his difficulties, is only the most recent and by no means the worst example of tactics that have been brought to perfection during tne past few years. It was capable of being defended as a humorous parody, though the wit is of the sort that naughty schoolboys scribble on walls when the master's back is turned, In fature, it would be well for Gladstonian jesters to append to their fun Artemus Ward's prudent comment, This is a gook." Had this precaution been taken, Mr. 'T. P. O'Connor would have been saved from making an exhibition of himself.
While the Daily News excuses itself by afresh attack on Mr. Chamberlai himself ridiculous by his attack upon this Mr. Chamberlain only succeeded in making journal yesterday. He need not have drawn attention to the well-known fact that he has the thinnest skin, as well as the bitterest
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.