Punch (93.1887)

48

PUNCH, OE THE LONDON CHAEIVAEI.

[July 30, 1887.

journment of debate till Thursday. In course of speech fell upon
Gent-Davis standing at Bar, " smiling," as Sexton bitterly said,
" in such a superior manner." Finding a head
there, Sexton brought down shillelagh on it.
Suddenness of assault took away G.-D.'s breath.
Tery indignant when he recovered.

" What business had he to attack me ? " he
asked. " I '11 interpolate the Speaker, and see
if this, too, isn't a Breach of Privilege."
Business done.—Supply.
Tuesday.—Seems Tanner not the only Member
who has been "saying things" in the Lobby.
Alderman Fowler accused of having sinned in a
similar way against Howell. Irish Members
gleefully taken up case. Sexton gave
notice that on Thursday, when Motion
for suspension of Tanner comes on,
he will move that Fowler be also
suspended for a month. " They can
go away together for a month in the
country," Tim Healy says; "or
might take a trip to Norway. Any-
how, they '11 be able to pair for the
remainder of the Session."

Fowler makes light of the threat,
but not at all a pleasant thing. Par-
liamentary life, as a whole, getting
rather a weariness to the flesh. Only
the other day he was sat upon in
connection with the manufacture of
" If a man touches pitch," &c. bogus petitions, now is to be brought
up for using bad language in the
Lobby. Wishe he'd been made a Jubilee Peer.

After questions, gallant little Wales came up, piping its eye.
Thirty-one men been arrested in connection with Tithe Riots near
Ruthin. Government, having got into swing in Ireland, proposed
to change the venue, and try prisoners by Special Jury. Ellis moved
Adjournment in order to protest. Backed up by Osborne Morgan,
Harcoukt, Dillwyn, and others. On other side, Attorney-
General justified course taken, and Solicitor-General declared
Osborne Morgan's speech "a scandal to the House of Commons."

Idea of Osborne Morgan creating a scandal
shocked the House; Clarke obliged to withdraw
remark, and apologise.

Gem of the evening was Swetenham's speech.
Delightful the ease and fluency with which he pro-
nounced such words as Llanymrech and Llansaint-
fraid, and others guiltless of a vowel. Delicious
the way in which he ogled Osborne Morgan, slily
insinuating his intimate knowledge of the criminal
classes. What with his remarks, and the accusation
of the Solicitor-General, House
began to think there was more in
Osborne Morgan than met the
eye, and that it had, unawares,
been nursing a viper in its bosom.
Business done.—Supply.

Thursday. — Dr. Tanner and
Alderman Fowler both in their
places at Question Time. First
business on paper was Adjourned
Debate on Old Morality's Motion
to suspend Tanner for a month.
, Sexton gave notice to haul up the
mj. Alderman on charge similar to
that which hung over meek head
of Tanner. Tanner in apologetic
mood, but the Alderman defiant.
Scandalous! " ^n curse _ of debate Howell,

alleged victim of Alderman's mina-
tory observations, attempted to introduce the subject. Tanner
debate been on for hour and half; began to flag a little. Time
seemed opportune for serving up the Alderman. But Speaker
peremptorily interposed, and would have none of it. Sufficient for
the day was the Tanner thereof, and so the Alderman, a pillar of
the Church, a mainstay of the State, must go down to posterity under
charge of having used naughty words in the Lobby.

Tanneb episode proved lively enough. Tanner apologised for
language used to Walter Long, and duly expressed his regret. All
eyes turned upon Old Morality. Expected, as Leader of House, to
interpose, and bring unsavoury proceedings to swift close—and so,
let us go to business. But 0. M. let Long slip in with correction of
Tanner's version of what had passed. Squabbled for half-an-hour
as to what had really been said. House got its back up. Opportu-
nity for controlling it passed. Storm grew higher as moments slipped

by. Harcolrt in his element, thumping the table and. shouting at
top of his voice in effort, sometimes vain, to make himself heard
amid clamour on opposite benches. Finally,
Whitbread appealed to Speaker to give
his opinion. This awkward for Speaker,
who must needs offend one or other of
angry parties. Acquitted himself admir-
ably. With infinite tact expressed his
opinion that, as contended from Opposition
Benches, Tanner's apology "formal, dis-
tinct, and unreserved." Rather a snub
this for Old Morality and Hartington,
who had backed him up. But decision
unanimously accepted, and the smile
which Bigwood reported he had "seen
on' the countenance of Dr. Tanner"
when first addressed in Lobby by Long,
returned.

" We've lost two hours' precious time,"
said Kennawat, walking out, "and
the only person that's made anything
out of it is Tanner. A week ago
was in low water, snubbed by his
own friends, for whom his conduct
was too bad. Now elevated to po-
sition of persecuted hero, made
the subject of elaborate debate,
dragged Government into fresh
muddle, and brought upon them
rebuke from highest authority in the
House."

Business done.—Got into Commit-
'•We've IobU™ hours' precious ^ Qn Land Bm

Friday. — House assembled this
afternoon at Waterloo Station, bound for Portsmouth and South-
ampton, to see the Review.
Btisiness done.—Took return-tickets.

" Dear me! " said Mrs. Ram, " I always thought that Margarine
was a foreign title. Wasn't there a Margarine of Hesse ? "

GOOD-WOODCUTS.

By D. Crambo, Junior.

Fin-don. Little Time was lost in getting

to the Post.

Taking Inside Place. Drawing Out Clear.

(tj* NOTICE.—Rejected Communications or Contributions, whether MS., Printed Matter, Drawings, or Pictures of any description, -will
in no case be returned, not even when accompanied by a Stamped and Addressed Envelope, Cover, or Wrapper, lo this rule
there will be no exception.