DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 13

DISGRACEFUL SCENE.

A FREE FIGHT IN THE HOUSE OF

COMMONS.

MEMBERS HISSED BY SPECTATORS.

(Pbb Pbess Association.)

London, July 28.

An unprecedented scene occurred in the House of Commons last night just before the closure was finally applied to the Home Rule Bill. Mr Chamberlain taunted' Ministerialists with regarding every scheme emanating from the Premier as perfect. If, said he, Mr Gladstone called anything black they paid good, if white better. They always considered his dictum as the voice of God. Never sinoe the days of Herod was there such slavish adulation.

Amid a scene of wild confusion, Mr Mellor, the Chairman of Committees, enforced the closure. Disorder reigned supreme — the Government party cheering, and shouts of rage, mingled with cries of " Shame 1" .'• Gag 1" " Time 1" and " Judas I" were heard from all parts of the Chamber. Mr Chamberlain rose td put a question, but had to confine himself to dumb show, as Ministerialists refused to allow him to be heard, and kept up an incessant noise. Mr Vioary Gibbs, Conservative member'for St. Albans, amid a medley of inarticulate bellowings, also tried to get the Chairman's ear in order to report Mr T. P. O'Connor, who, he said, had insulted Mr Chamberlain by reiterated cries of " Judas." He demanded that the word should be taken down, but Mr Mellor ignored Mr Gibb's proposal, and said he had not heard the epithet. He then ordered the division to proceed. Some Ministerialists obeyed, but the bulk of the Opposition refused to go into the lobbies until their claim for justice was attended to. Suddenly a fierce melee occurred on the floor of the House, and the Speaker was summoned. Mr O'Connor then apologised, and the bill finally passed through Committee. Mr Arnold Foster, during a scene in the House, shouted out "Why associate with bloody Irish rebels?" Mr Fisher, Conservative member for Fulham, threw Mr Logan, of Leicester, from hi 3 seat, and Colonel Saundefson squared up to and hit Mr Austin, of Limerick, and Mr Crean, of Ossory. The latter responded manfully, and the Nationalists and Tories were then brought out into a free fight, swearing and shouting on all sides at each other.

Overcome with contempt for the scene before them strangers in the gallery rose and hissed cbe members below.

In the House of Commons to-day Mr Logan crossed the Chamber and exchanged hot words with Mr Carson. The latter retorted, " You are one of the gagging gang." Mr Logan then occupied Mr Balfour'a Feat. Mr Hayes and Mr Fisher, who were behind, seized him by the neck and Sir E. AshmeadBartlett took hold of his legs, and he was ejected. A free fight followed, during which Radical punished Conservative, and the Conservative whip seized the Radical by the scruff of the neck and shook him.

A number of Irish members then attacked the OppositioD, and in the gangway there was instantly a confused mass of shouting, struggling, and fighting members. Others clambered over the benches to join in the melee. The Unionists who- were locked out clamoured for admittance. Messrs BurdettOoutts, Condon, W. %Redmond, and Healy were conspicuous in the fray. Colonel Saunderson hit cut boldly, felling several members. Mr O'Brien, standing on a seat, vainly implored members to maintain order. Dt Tanner's friends helped him out of the row. Mr Burns shouldered members right and left and tried] to suppress the disorder. The Irishmen were knocked down and trampled upon. Mr Healy fell after a fierce struggle of /five minutes. The strangers in the gallery hissed and cried " Shame." M.r Gladstone sat at the table mute, pale, and calm, but tye appeared to be greatly pained at the scene, though he did nothing to stop it. Sir Ashmead-Bartlett, addressing the Premier, shouted "This is your doing ! " The SBrge'ant-a,t-Armß made an ineffectual attempt to clear the House. The back of one of the benches was wrenched off; shirts, coatp, and" waistjcoats were torn from the backs of memberjs ; and a quantity of jewellery was afterwards picked up on the floor of the chamber. . ' After a quarter of an hour's uproar Lord R. Churchill and-Measra A. J. Balfour and J. Chamberlain restored some degree of order. The Chairman ,of Committees consented to report the' matter to the Speaker, who returned immediately, and order was instantly restored. He rebuked the House with great dignity, and urged Mr O'Connor to apologise, which he did. The Standard and several other leadiDg city newspapers characterise the scene as a lasting disgra.ce to the House of Commons. July 29.

In reply to a question in the House of Commons to-day, Mr Gladstone pleaded for time to consider whether he would appoint a committee to inquire into the recent fracas, which, he admitted, was of a very serious character and unique in the history of tha House. He thought if a committee were set up much informal matter would be introduced concerning the origin of the fracas, and the evidence would be hopelessly diverse.

The Speaker has had a private conference with Mr Gladstone, Mr Balfour, and others on the matter, '

Strong feeling has been aroused throughout the country, and Mr Mellor (Chairman of Committees) has been advised to retire from the position. A m6b occasionally meets outside the House of Commons, and while indulging in sham scrummages request members who pass on the way to the Parliamentary Build»

ings to elect Jim Smith (the pugilist) Chairman of Committee?, and they also make other ribald remarks.

The Chronicle suggests that Mr Fisler (Conservative), who attacked ' Mr Logan, should resign. The Speaker (the Right Hod. A. W. Peel) demands an inquiry into Thursday's proceedfogs.

, July 31.

Mr Tillett suggests that in future the Liberal Unionists should sit on the opposite side of the House to the Irish Ministerialists, which arrangement, he contends, would prevent the recurrence of a scene such as was witnessed in the House of Commons last week. , ' On the Speaker's invitation Messrs Fisher and Logan expressed their regret afcd apologised to the House for provoking the fracas on Thursday. Mr Gladstone will therefore dispense with a committee of inquiry.