Punch (99.1890)

December 13, 1890.] PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

287

LORD'S IN DANGER. THE M. C. C. GO OUT TO MEET THE ENEMY-

[" Sir Edward "Watkin proposes to construct a Railway passing through Lord's Cricket Ground."]

ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT.

EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OP TOBY, M.P.

House of Commons, Monday, December 1.—Tithes Bill down for
Second Reading. Grand Young Gabdneb places„Amendment on
the paper, which secures for him op-
portunity of making a speech. Haying
availed himself of this, did not move
his Amendment; opening thus made
for Stuabt-Rendel, who had another
Amendment on the paper. "Would he
move it? Only excitement of Debate
settled round this point. Under good
old Tory Government new things in
Parliamentary procedure constantly
achieved. Supposing half - a - dozen
Members got together, drew up a num-
ber of Amendments, then ballot for
precedence, they might arrange Debate
without interposition of Speakek. First
man gets off his speech, omits to move
Amendment: second would come on,
and so on, on to the end of list. But
Stuabt - Rendel moved Amendment,
and on this Debate turned.

Not very lively affair, regarded as
reflex of passionate protestation of
angry little Wales. Osbobne Ap Mob-
gait made capital speech, but few re-
mained to listen. "Welshmen at outset
meant to carry Debate over to next day;
couldn't be done ; and by half-past
eleven, Stttabt-Re-NDEl's Amendment
negatived by rattling majority.

Fact is, gallant little Wales was
swamped by irruptive Ireland. To-
day, first meeting of actual Home Rule
Parliament held, and everybody watch- Osborne Ap Morgan,
ing its course. This historic meeting gathered in Committee-room
No. 15; question purely one of Home Rule; decided, after some

deliberation, that, in order to have proceedings in due dramatic form,
there should be incorporated with the meeting an eviction scene.
After prolonged Debate, concluded that, to do the thing thoroughly,
they should select Pabnell as subject of eviction.

" No use," Tim Healt said, " in half-doing the thing. The eyes
of the Universe are fixed upon us. Let us give them a show for
their money."

Pabneix, at first, demurred; took exception on the ground that,
as he had no fixed place of residence, he was not convenient subject
for eviction ; objection over-ruled; then Pabneil insisted that, if
he yielded on this point, he must preside over proceedings. Tim and
the rest urged that it was not usual, when a man's conduct is
under consideration upon a grave charge, that he should take the
Chair. Drawing upon the resources of personal observation,
Dr. Tanneb remarked that he did not remember any case in which
the holder of a tenure, suffering process of eviction, bossed the
concern, acting simultaneously, as it were, as the subject of the
eviction process, and the resident Magistrate.

"Whilst conversation going on, Pabnell had unobserved taken the
Chair, and now ruled Dr. Taitheb out of order.

House sat at Twelve o'Clock; at One the Speaker (Mr. Pabnell),
interrupting Sexton in passage of passionate eloquence, said he
thought this would be convenient opportunity for going out to
his chop. So he went off; Debate interrupted for an hour; resumed
at One, and continued, with brief intervals for refreshment, up till
close upon midnight. Proceedings conducted with closed doors, but
along the corridor, from time to time, rolled echoes which seemed to
indicate that the first meeting of the Home-Rule Parliament was
not lacking inanimation.

"I think they are a little 'eated, Sir," said the policeman on duty
outside. " Man and boy I 've been in charge of this beat, for twenty
years; usually a quiet spot; this sudden row rather trying for one
getting up in years. Do you think, Sir, that, seeing it's an eviction,
the Police can under the Act claim Compensation for Disturbance ? "

Promised to put question on subject to Jokim.

Long dispute on point of order raised by Nolan. Tim Healt
referring to difficulty of dislodging Pabnell, alluded to him as
" Sitting Bull." Clamour from Parnellite section anxious for pre-
servation of decency of debate. Speaker said, question most impor-
tant. Irish Parliament in its infancy; above all things essential