having a small police force in the vicinity | dealing with the tenant himself; and, to preserve order if required. whether the purchaser, if evicted, has not equal rights with the tenant himself RELIEF OF DISTRESS ACT-LOANS TO under the Land Act of 1870, save as re RAILWAYS. MR. P. MARTIN asked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Is it the fact as stated in the "Daily News" of Saturday last, that in consequence of the restrictions inserted by the Government in the Relief of Distress Act passed last Session, there is but one alone of the various Irish Railways scheduled with the purpose of being benefitted under that Act which is capable of receiving a loan under its provisions; was it not declared at the time when the Bill was passing through the House, to have been the intention of Parliament to encourage employment by granting loans in all proper cases to these scheduled Railways; and, under the circumstances, is it his intention in the present Session to introduce a Bill to amend the Act? THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. LAW): The statement upon which this Question is founded is not quite correct. It is true that most of the Railway Companies mentioned in the Schedule to the Relief of Distress AFGHANISTAN - EVACUATION OF MR. E. STANHOPE: I beg to ask the noble Lord the Secretary of State has appeared in The Times, stating that for India, Whether the telegram which orders to the Government of India for the Government have given peremptory the evacuation of the Pishin Valley as early as practicable, is true? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: There is no foundation for the state Act either have not come into existencement, and I cannot find out how it could have originated. In the only despatch at all, or are not in a position to borrow sent on this subject since the discussion money legally, because their share in this House, while we asked for an excapital is not subscribed, or not paid planation as to the large force said to be up. It is not my intention to introduce any Bill which would enable baronial kept in Pishin and Sibi, we repeated, guarantees to be given, or loans to be made to non-existing Companies, or to Companies which cannot legally borrow money. LANDLORD AND TENANT (IRELAND) VOL. CCLXI. [THIRD SERIES.] and rather confirmed and extended than restricted, the discretion which had been given to the Government of India as to the time at which the evacuation of this district should be carried out. COLONEL MAKINS asked, Whether the statement by the Correspondent of The Times was correct, that the Government had made terms of peace with the Bheel tribe, and that one of the terms was that in future the Bheels were to be allowed to levy black mail on travellers? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: If the hon. Member wishes for full information on this subject, he had better give Notice of the Question. I cannot give particulars as to the terms of the arrangements made with the Bheels; but my impression is that the statement has as little foundation as that mentioned in the previous Question. 3 II MR. MITCHELL HENRY: I regret to have to call the attention of the House to a Breach of Privilege of so serious a character that it is impossible not to take notice of it. I refer to a letter which has been published in a newspaper by Mr. Patrick Egan, treasurer of the Land League, reflecting in very gross and vulgar terms on the conduct and motives of hon. Members of this House as regards the votes they have given on a measure now under discussion. The writer of this letter, who, from his own account, appears to have had a good deal to do with the election of Members of Parliament who were returned to support the policy of the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell) and the Land League, seems to be of opinion that the time has come that was prophesied by Grattan at the time of the Union, when the Irish people would return to this House, in revenge, some of the greatest scoundrels that ever disgraced a Legislative Assembly. MR. A. M. SULLIVAN: I rise to a point of Order. [Cries of "Order!"] MR. SPEAKER: Does the hon. and learned Member rise to Order? MR. A. M. SULLIVAN: Yes. I wish to ask whether these words should not be taken down? I understood the hon. Member to say that, in his opinion["No, no!"]-If I am wrong I will be very glad to withdraw; but I understood him to say that, in his opinion, the time alluded to by Mr. Grattan had come, and I wish to know if he meant those words to apply in any sense to hon. Members on this side of the House? more than he now does to the order of our proceedings. I said it was the writer of the letter who seemed to be of that opinion; and I was going on to say, when I was interrupted, that I did official person of the League may be, not think, whatever the opinion of that the House of Commons would permit anyone to make such reflections upon the conduct of hon. Members in this House as are made in this letter without taking notice of it. The letter is dated from the Hotel Brighton, Paris, 22nd May, and the writer is in the habit of coming into the Lobby of this House, because it appears from an answer to his letter which has been made by an hon. Member that he actually shook his fist in the face of the hon. Gentleman, and threatened him for the action he had taken in this House. I therefore trust that some steps will be taken to protect Members from any possible assault of this kind in future. The letter is to Thomas Brennan, esquire, Dublin. LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL: I rise to Order. I would like to have your ruling, Sir, whether a Question of Privilege can possibly arise on an act committed in a foreign country? MR. SPEAKER: I understand the hon. Member to be reading, or to be about to read, from a newspaper published in this country. MR. HEALY: I rise to Order, Sir. I understand that a matter of Privilege is one which must be brought at once under the cognizance of this House. I understand this letter was published last Wednesday; and I wish to ask whether, several days having intervened between the publication of the letter and the calling attention to Privilege, it is now in Order to raise the question? MR. SPEAKER: In answer to the appeal of the hon. Member, I see no ground at present for intervening between the hon. Member for Galway and the House. MR. MITCHELL HENRY: This letter was published in The Freeman's Journal on Thursday; it did not reach this House until Friday; and I do not see, therefore, how earlier attention could have been called to it. The letter is as follows: MR. MITCHELL HENRY: If the hon. and learned Gentleman was a little more attentive to what was being said, and not so anxious to distinguish himself by rising to points of Order so frequently, probably he would conduce I have received from our friends of the Irish "Hotel Brighton, 218 Rue de Rivoli, Paris, 22nd May, 1881. "MY DEAR MR. BRENNAN,-Since last advice World,' New York, per cable, the sum of I do not wish to make a martyr of this 3,500 francs; from the St. John's Branch Ladies' Clerk at the Table, and that it is a gross breach of the Privileges of this House. MR. PARNELL: May I ask-[“ Order, order!"]-whether-["Chair!"] MR. SPEAKER: This is the ordinary course. The first step to be taken is that the statement complained of should be read by the Clerk of the House. The Clerk of the House then read the statement referred to. MR. MITCHELL HENRY: Then, Sir, I beg now to move Irish National Land League, San Francisco-person by bringing him to the Bar of the Mrs. J. Crogan, president; Mrs. P. J. Corbett, House; but I trust that you, Sir, will treasurer-507 50-100 francs, and from Branch be pleased in your discretion to order No. 8, Parnell Land League, Moutelair, New that he shall no longer be admitted Jersey-Mr. Hugh Galligher, treasurer-778 within the precincts of the House. I 10-100 francs. I will advise by wire any fur-will move that this letter be read by the ther remittances that arrive up to Tuesday. I perceive that on the division on the Land Bill certain Irish Members supposed to belong to the active Party went over to the Government, and prominently amongst them I notice Mr. O'Connor Power and The O'Donoghue. Both of these Gentlemen were Members of the active Party. They attended the meeting at which the policy of the Party was considered, and they voted on the resolution binding the Party to abstain from voting. This being so, they were clearly and unmistakably bound by the resolution passed at the meeting; and I consider that they, and the others who acted in like manner, stand exactly in the position of a blackleg on a racecourse, who, if he wins, will pocket your money, but if he loses will refuse to pay. I consider I am bound to call particular attention to a carpet-bagger, who, after a hard-fought battle by the gallant men of Wicklow, was returned for that county by a majority of seven MR. M'COAN: It is with some revotes-Mr. M'Coan. This person, who is utterly unknown to the people of Wicklow, had the luctance that I rise to second the Moaudacity to say to me a few days ago in the tion that has just been made-a reluctHouse of Commons that he defied the Land ance arising, in the first place, from my League, and that he could go back to Wicklow and be re-elected in despite of all the influence of incident embodied in the letter; and, own opinion of the insignificance of the the League. I wonder much what honest James Grehan and our other friends in Wicklow will secondly, because I have given myself say to this? Of course, Mr. O'Connor Power, the personal satisfaction of replying in The O'Donoghue, Mr. M'Coan, and the rest of The Freeman's Journal. So far as Mr. the trimmers, will plead their deep regard for Egan is concerned, I do not think he is the interests of the tenant farmers; but I think the country will plainly see that their motive much in my debt; but inasmuch as the was a desire to help the present cowardly, letter of which complaint has now been hypocritical, priest-hunting, buckshot-distribut-made to the House is not an attack ing Whig Government, now, as ever, base, bloody, and brutal.-Yours sincerely, 46 'PATRICK EGAN. "Thomas Brennan, Esq., I. N. L. League, Dublin." I apprehend that there never was a letter of a more atrocious character reflecting upon the conduct of hon. Members. It is not for me to defend any of these hon. Gentlemen; but I will take leave to say of one of them, with whom I have had the pleasure of sitting for a good many years in this House-I mean the hon. Member for Mayo (Mr. O'Connor Power)-that whilst he is a Gentleman very advanced in his opinions, he is also known as one who has the courage of his opinions. He is one who has shrunk from the cowardly course of hiding himself in London and pretending to be in Paris, or taking any other course by which he would stimulate poor men to risk their lives and fortunes in a vain struggle with the Executive Government. "That the Letter published in the 'Freeman's Journal' of the 26th May, signed Patrick Egan, is a breach of the Privileges of this House." simply upon my personal position or character, but reflects upon the character, and is an insult to other Members of this House, I do not think I do more than discharge my duty in formally seconding the Motion. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Letter published in the 'Freeman's Journal' of the 26th May, signed Patrick Egan, is a breach of the Privileges of this House."(Mr. Mitchell Henry.) MR. PARNELL: I think the hon. Member who has brought forward this question has not exactly foreseen the consequences of the adoption of the Motion brought before the House. It appears to me that if the House adopts the Motion it would be tantamount to a declaration that the editor and persons connected with The Freeman's Journal have been guilty of a Breach of Privilege by the publication of the letter referred to as being signed by "Patrick MR. O'CONNOR POWER: While I sincerely offer my thanks to my hon. Friend the Member for Galway, who has drawn the attention of the House to this subject, I sufficiently sympathize with the hon. Gentleman who has just sat down to enable me to say that I do not require any Resolution of this House in vindication either of my public or personal character. I regret as much as anyone that it should be necessary to Egan." I am speaking now without | become the bitterest enemies. I reany communication with Mr. Egan, and member when Mr. Patrick Egan and entirely without an authority from him; the hon. Member for Mayo were fraterbut, of course, the House has no evi- nal brothers, and I must say they were dence before it-["Oh!"]-it has no legal Arcades ambo. evidence as to who the letter was written by; the only evidence in the possession of the House is that The Freeman's Journal of the date named contained such a letter. Of course, if the House considers it desirable to treat the publication of such a letter as a Breach of Privilege I shall not object for my own part; but I will only say that upon other occasions when Irish Members have brought forward much more libellous matter published by English news-call the attention of the House to a papers against Irish Members the House has always refused to treat it as a Breach of Privilege, and has either passed on to the Order of Business or set the question aside in some indirect fashion. But, of course, if the hon. Member wishes to bring the editor of The Freeman to the Bar for publishing the letter, I am sure he will not evade the responsibility involved in such publication; and when my friend Mr. Egan is attacked by a direct Motion I am quite sure that he also will duly meet his responsibilities. question of this kind; and I should be very reluctant to fetter, in the slightest degree, legitimate public criticism. If the letter of Mr. Patrick Egan were not an official document, stamped with the official sanction of an organization which is presided over by the hon. Member for the City of Cork (Mr. Parnell), and of which many of my hon. Colleagues who are now sitting close to me are members of the Executive Body, I, too, should have considered that the reply which I have had an opportunity of sending to MR. CALLAN: I am sorry the hon. the denunciation of Mr. Egan would Member for Galway has brought this have been the most fitting answer that matter forward, instead of giving pri- document should call for. But it is clear vate Notice to Irish Members. I may say to everybody that a letter of that chathat I am certainly most impartial upon racter could not have found its way into this matter. I have no sympathy with the office of The Freeman's Journal witheither party. If the hon. Member for out some help from the Executive of the Galway had consulted with his hon. Land League; and I must express my Friend the Member for Mayo, he would disappointment that since the hon. Memhave been asked not to bring this mat- ber for the City of Cork thought proper ter forward, for the hon. Member for to interfere in this debate, he did not Mayo, I am sure, would not object to think proper to so far sympathize with the use of what might be harsh lan- the position of a Member of his own guage; but I remember in this House, political Party in this House, and a Colnot more than two years ago, when we league of many years, to either reproassembled for a great national purpose bate, or, at least, disavow the sentiments -to vote Supplies for the Afghan War contained in that letter of his official -the Leader of the Party to which colleague. I have already shown, Sir, I then belonged-yes, a Member re- by my action with reference to the measpected by every part of this House, sure of Land Reform introduced by Her Mr. Isaac Butt-was termed "a traitor,' Majesty's Government, and to which this because he would not-he could not-letter refers, that I am not to be terrified obstruct the Imperial Business. The by the resolutions of the Land League. hon. Member who so charged him was It was, therefore, quite unnecessary on the hon. Member for Mayo, who should the part of the hon. Member for Galway not have been a party to the bringing to make this Motion for my protection; forward this matter by the hon. Member but I am perfectly sure it was imperafor Galway. As to the letter which has tively necessary that he should make it been read, it was an illustration of the for the protection of some of my Colsaying that when friends fall out they leagues. This is only a small part of Mr. Parnell the terrorism which has been practised, I organization-one of them at present a and which, as far as I can gather from paid secretary in the office of the Land the speech of the hon. Member for the League in Dublin-who try to induce City of Cork, it is intended shall be con- me to do what I have never done in retinued, towards Gentlemen who dare ference to Government patronage in my to differ from the decrees of the Irish constituency or anywhere else in IreNational Land League. The word has land-who endeavour to seduce me from gone round, Sir, from persons high in my invariable rule not to interfere in authority in that organization, that every Government patronage by the promise man who dares to support any measure of political support on some future day. introduced by the Government shall be I have felt it necessary that I should, in branded as a "place hunter;" and when a manner in which the whole country anyone reflects upon the painful charac- should be a witness of my acts, repudiate ter of the relations which have subsisted the insinuation that has been levelled for a long time between the English Go- against me. I do not appeal merely to vernment and the Irish nation-between the English Members of this House, but the Irish nation and this House-I am I appeal to the most intimate friends and sure he will readily recognize how artful associates of the hon. Member for the City and how dangerous an accusation of that of Cork, when I say to-day that they know sort is. I have been for a longer period very well I am not capable of being a Member of this House than the hon. influenced by such considerations as the Member for the City of Cork, or many treasurer of the Land League has thought of his Colleagues who are members of proper to attribute to me. Unfortunately, the Executive of the Land League. I Irish politics are in this position-that am speaking in the presence of Minis- it requires greater courage to support a ters of the Crown and of ex-Ministers of Government when they are right than the Crown; I am speaking in the pre- to oppose them when they are wrong. sence of a crowded House; and I say II have supported them by voting in challenge any Member of this Assembly to dare to assert that my vote or action has ever been compromised by mercenary considerations. Nay, more, I regret to be obliged to add that gentlemen who are engaged in bringing these accusations against their countrymen are themselves gentlemen who have within less than 12 months repeatedly applied to me to use my influence to obtain for them situations under Her jesty's Government. [Name, name!"] The hon. Member for the City of Cork asks for name. I shall give it him. I shall give the name of a paid official of the Land League, who sends this telegram from the executive offices of the League in Dublin favour of the second reading of the Land Law (Ireland) Bill, because I believed I was right, and because I had a mandate from my constituency, legally and legitimately conveyed to me at a public meeting in the country. I am very much embarrassed at being under the necessity of making this statement to the House; but when not only the courtesies of Party warfare, but the obligations of political comradeship - aye, and truth itselfhave been sacrificed to gratify an insane ambition, I humbly think that the hour has come for a man who can be neither bribed nor terrified to record his protest in the light of day. THE O'DONOGHUE: I am also one of the Members alluded to in the letter "T. P. Quinn, Land League Offices, Dublin, which has been brought before the to John O'Connor Power, M.P., January 20. Mr. House by the hon. Gentleman the MemMonaghan"--who is, by the way, a very pro- ber for Galway. Perhaps I may likeminent member of the Land League in Ballin-wise be allowed to say a few words. I robe, County Mayo-"telegraphs you requesting was sorry when I heard such a letter influence on behalf of Mr. Daly -Mr. P. J. B. Daly is a well-known solicitor in Mayo, who has had been written, and I was sorry when been recently employed in defending the op- I read it, because I saw it must lead to pressed tenant farmers, and hired for that pur- dissension, and that it would impose 1 by the Land League-"solicitor, Ballin- upon me the necessity of protesting rhe, who seeks Crown Prosecutorship for Mayo. against the imputations cast upon me Comply with Monaghan's request, by me reaskel, and both shall remember, and doubtless by that letter. From the moment I one day will repay you. I will write you to- heard the speech of the Prime Minister I felt there was little doubt that I would support the second reading of the Land night.' Here are gentlemen, members of an |