Whether the criminal occurrences and the tmgedies which disfigured the annals of Ireland, were in any. sense justifiable morally in reference to political causes, or whether the Irish Nationalist members were directly or indirectly connected with these events—are questions not to be di cussed here; indeed such things were outside the House. But the alleged character of these proceedi id the responsibility of the members for them, were matters frequently brought before the use itself during the debates. Such critical discussions, too, related not only to crimes of a heinous description, but also to practices held to be constructively criminal, known by familiar names such "boycotting," "exclusive dealing," " plan of campaign"—and so forth. Inflammatory speeches inciting to mischief, or even worse than that, were attributed to some hers, and copious reports pin the a Fsnch mttermees were piedduced. Tu stich ascailis two member were prominent, Colonel Sumederson and Mr. T. W. Russell. The mission of Colonel Saunderson was to expose what he deemed to be criminal or treasonable conspiracies in which he alleged that some of the Irish members hid a share. He pointed these severe charges with a humorous sarcasm, which convulsed his own side with a laughter in which even the Irish could scarce refrain from sharing—though the rising merriment was quickly hushed by the gravity of the accusations. Mr. 'T. W.
russell was equally incisive by his proofs which often came home with such unerring aim that they were called Search lights." Then he would strike redoubled blows in such a swinging, slashing style, that the method was named "the tomahawk." The effect of all this-upon the Irish was indeed tremendous. They seemed about to burst into explosion and yet would restrain themselves, feeling the gravity of the situation. Considerations of order had to be balanced by the Speaker against that freedom of speech in debate which the Commons have always claimed for themselves. Very often he acted with great success as peacemaker. But such scathing accusations frequently produced " scenes"; in which individual Nationalists not unnaturally forgot themselves in their passion, and suspension or temporary. expulsion was unavoidably resorted to.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.