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    first knew tho final decision of the Government . This « ras where these gentlemen had felt themselves aggrieved . His lordship was quite sure that no disrespect had been int ended by Sir J . Pakinffton ; nor was there the remotest wish on the part of the Government to show the slig htest discourtesy . " Turning to the merits of the projected schemes , he made tt declaration o some importance ; t—« He ' could-not . help saying that the first ' arrangement adverted to by the noble Earl—namely , that the construction of this g reat line of railway was to entrusted to a company Who would undertake its formation upon receivhelfrom the Colonies with

    ing pecuniary p , together a concession of the waste land on each side ofthe railway , to be formed for commercial and Government purposes , —he co not help saying that he thought that that was a more satisfactory footing upon which the negotiation should have been conducted than that of leaving it in the b ands of the colonial Legislature , thereby excluding the advantages of emigration , and substituting for a definite pecuniary liability an indefinite liability in the shape of a guarantee for seven millions of money . ¦ He believed that the smallest amount which could be calculated as the expense , would press very heavily upon Canada and if ova Scotia , and that the interest alone would more than absorb the whole surplus revenue of New Brunswick . He then entered into a

    minute examination of the new , and old project for a railway ; basing his objection to the former on the fact that it ran to the Maine boundary of the United States , and completed the communication between Halifax and Quebec , by passing through the United States * territory . Lord Derby repeatedly stated that he would not have hesitated to advise Parliament to sanction the guarantee which formed a part of the present scheme , provided the railway now in contemplation promised to effect the objects desired by this country—namely , the application of waste lands on either side ofthe line to immigrants . That was hot the case with the present scheme . Government bad nothing to conceal in the matter , and he had no objection to lay the papers on the table .

    The only point in tUe subsequent remarks made by Earl Grey was a weak expression of regret that the decision of the Government should have been made known to Mr . Hincks and Mr . Chandler by the * ' officer of a private association . " The other speakers were Earl Fitzwh-mam , the Earl of Desart , Lord Monteagle , and the Earl of Powis . The discussion had no fruitful result . The papers were not ordered . On the same evening , in the House of Commons , Sir H . Vbbney asked the Colonial Secretary whether the letter addressed to him on the 1 st of May , by Mr . Hincks , and published in the Times of the 31 st of May , was authentic ; and if so , what explanation he could give relating to it ?

    Sir J . Pakington stated in reply , that the letter referred to was founded entirely upon a mistake , and he expressed surprise that it should have been published without any of the documents connected with it , as most erroneous inferences were likely to be drawn from it . He then went through explanations with regard to the allegation of delay , similar to those given by the Earl of Derby in the House of Lords . He had acted towards Mr . Hincks with every courtesy that he

    thought was duo to that gentleman ' s distinguished station . Ho had been told that be ought to have resented tho letter alluded to , but , though it contained expressions not borno out by the facts , which were evidently narrated under feelings of irritation , yet he thought it was most consistent with bis own oflicq and the friendly relations between this country and tho colony of Canada , to continue to act in the same spirit of courtesy as before .

    WEST INDIES . Mr . Bebnai , called the attention of the House , on Monday , to tbo distress existing in Jamaica , and in an almost equal degree in the other West India Islands , arising from a complication of causes—tho imperial policy adopted within tbo last few years , the ravages of disease , and , above all , tho want of a propor supply of labour . Ho inquired if the Colonial Seerotory was prepared to initiate or assist in any measures for providing the colony with nn adequate supply of labour . t

    Sir J . Pakington said his attention imd been kep Painfull y alive to the distressed and oxbausted condition of the West India Islands , by tho representations bo bad received , arid the interviews hd had had with delogutes appointed to represent their wants in this county Irrespective of tho visitations of Providence , ho considered that their distress was to bo ascribed in a great degrco to tbo policy adopted in 1846 . Tbo alteration of tho sugar duties was a subject that bad boon ennioHtl y pressed upon , and must rocoivo , tho soriouo consideration of Government ; but it was not tho only remed y which bad been proposed . Ho had had to deal with u great accumulation of heavy duties sinco bis nccossion to office , but , whenever circumstances permitted , Jig sliouW not lose rt day in turning his attention

    to the subject of the supply of labour , and considering whether any remedial measures could be adopted . STTGAR DUTIES . Several petitions were presented to the House of Lords , on Thursday , from persons of high station in the West Indian islands , complaining that the imperial policy as to the sugar duties had produced great distress , and enormously increased tlie traffic in slaves . The Earl of Debby said that he had received , not a petition , but a memorial from clergymen of all denominations in Jamaica , bearing witness not only to the distress which prevailed in the colony , but also to the barbarism into which a large proportion of the coloured community were rapidly relapsing . In his opinion , the only effectual remedy for colonial distress would be to stop the progress of the reduction in the differential duties on sugar , for in spite of the assertion of Lord Grey , he believed that it was not possible to produce sugar by free labour to compete on equal terms with slave labour . At the same time be confessed that he entertained great doubt whether the public mind of this country was prepared to sacrifice the economic interests which might be involved in such a proposition . COUNTY POLLS . Lord Robert Gbosvenor ' s bill , for taking the poll at county elections in one day , was discussed on Wednesday , on the motion for going into committee . The opposition came from the county members , led by Mr . Packe , who , with Colonel Sibthobpe , objected , that , as each had seven county votes , they would be deprived of their franchise . The other speakers against the bill were Mr . Heniey , Mr . Feliowes , Sir B . Bked&es , Mr . Deedes , and the Attorney Generax . It was supported by Mr . Beckett Denison , Mr . Wixxiam Brown , Mr . Locke King * Mr . Axcock , Mr . Cobden , Mr . W . MrtESj and Mr . Oswaid . Mr . Walpoee remained neuter . On a division , the motion for going into committee was carried by 166 to 82 . In committee , Mr . Wiliiam Mixes attempted to delay the operation of the measure , until after the 1 st of January , 1853 ; but he was defeated by 134 to 91 ; and the bill passed through committee . SUPPLY . Votes in Committee of Supply were taken at the morning sitting on Monday . Mr . Anstet , who has taken upon himself the office of Mr . Hume , opposed almost every item , but without effect . The committee was resumed again at the morning and evening sittings on Thursday . But all the votes were not even then got tlirbugh . Mr . Anstey ; continued his opposition . The notorious vote of money to Presbyterian ministers in Ireland known as the Eegivm Donum , was carried by 57 to 34 . Postjiobsk Duty . —Mr . Dttncombe brought on his motion for a committee of tho whole House , to inquiro into tho posthorse and carriage duty with tho view of modifying the same . Tho Government objected that the state of the revenue would not permit reductions of duties . On a division , the motion was lost by 94 to 43 .

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    ARREST OF MR . FEAItGUS O'CONNOR . Mb . O'Connor has been at length banded over to the keeping of the Sergoant-at-arms . Last week Mr . O'Connor selected tbo Law Courts in Westminster Hall as his theatre of display ; this week , ho lias appeared in tho Houso of Commons . According to some accounts ho has for some time been a torror tor honourable members in nil parts of tho Houso ; and according to others , ho has been habitually drunk for some time . On Tuesday , in tho midst of the debate on Mr . Bennett ' s case , just as Mr . Gladstone was about to rise in defence of tho Bishop of Bath and Wolls , Mr . O'Connor ' s conduct becaino intolerable , and tho following scene was enacted . Sir B . Hall roso , and addressing tbo Speaker , said : Sir , I rise to ordor . I have to appeal to tho Houso on tho' conduct of an hon . member who sits near mo ( Mr . Foargua O'Connor ) . I was culling on tho Houso to divulo , not eooinff any hon . morabor riso to address tbo Houho , whon tho hon . gentloman turned round nnd struck mo on tho side ( Laughter . ) Sir , I had told tho honourable trontloman on a formor occasion , that if ho nddroHfiod mo Fn the Houho , or pursued an annoying couvso oi conduofc towards mo , I should call tho attention of tho Houso to t . hn mntoni-. f . Durinff tbo timo occupied by tho honourablo 1

    baronot in his statement , Mr . B . O'Connor mdulgod in a sorios of bows and BmilQB , eventually adding Iiih mito to tho hilarity bo generally occasioned by tho roforonco to tho imxaodiato causo of the complaint . ) Tho Spkakmr : Tho lion , mombor for Nottingham nan boon s o long a mombor of tho JIouho , that it ia unnccosHary for mo to remind him that no mombor can bo permitted' to intorrupfc tho debates , and I am sorry to say that tho hon . mombor has so habitually violatod tho rules of tho . Houso , that / if he further pomats in thin courtio , I shall iool it my duty to call on him by namo , and leavo tho House to doal ¦ with him its it thinkH fit . Mr . Fbabcwb O'Connob iaunodjatoly rose wml

    oxclaimed , in a most excited manner : I did nothing to the honourable member ; I only caught him by the coat . I did nothing to him . He is my greatest enemy ; he was a member ofthe land Commission , and was opposed ia everything to me—there , Mr . Speaker . The members of the Government were all opposed to me . I built houses ( cries of " question and order" ) and gave money on loan , ( order , order ) , and they paid meno rent—the ruffians ( order , ordei-V—though in five years they got as much manure a * would fill this rooni . ( This idea seemed particularly to . affect the hon . gentleman , for the allusion caused him to weep . ) Those that paid 1 GOZ . and 602 . paid no rent , and a farmer Who was speaking to me , by his fire-side , came up with a hatchet in his hand , and a red cloth round his head ~ ( the remainder ofthe sentence was lost in the confusion which followed ) .

    The Speaker : I now must call on the hon . member by name . Mr . O'Connor , you are now called upon to apologise to the House ; and if you have any apology to offer to the House , now is your timo to do so . Mr . Feaimhts O'Connoe ; I beg the pardon of the honourable gentleman , and now I apologise to the House . I beg pardon . You ' re the best Speaker that ever sat in the chair . ( Loud laughter . ) But this did not end the scene on Tuesday . Mr . Gladstone bad scarcely uttered ten sentences when Mr . O'Connor interrupted him by walking down the floor from his seat in the front of the Opposition bench , and endeavoured to shake bands with the speaker ; but as Mr . Gladstone declined the proffered honour , Mrl O'Connor withdrew .

    The climax was reached on Wednesday . During the debate in committee on the County Polls Bill , Mr . O'Connor excited the attention of the House by ¦' continually walking in and out , and offering to shake hands with the principal members of both sides of the House . About three o ' clock he sat down beside Captain Fitzroy , and familiarly slapping the captain on the back , snatched an unopened letter out of his hand , which he did not return until Captain Fitzroy had mildly requested him for some time to do . Mr . O'Connor retired , and Captain Fitzrpy went below the bar . As , however , Mr . O'Connor was making a pilgrimage round the House , he offered to shake hands with the captain , but the latter declined , and upon Mr . O'Connor saying something insulting , threatened to knock him down , whereupon he made a precipitate retreat .

    A few minutes afterwards Mr . O Connor again entered the House . Every one was painfully conscious that a scene was now approaching . The member for Nottingham , after tendering his haud to Mr . Cobden , who , for the twentieth time , accepted it , and to other members , who refused it , found his way to the front Opposition bench , where he took his seat beside Mr . T . Duncombc , and began conversing with him , amid cries of " Order , order I" which continuing , Mr . Beckett Denison touched Mr . O'Connor upon the shoulder , and called " Order I" when the hon . member for Nottingham , turning sharply round , struck Mr . B . Denison a slight blow upon the face , or rather conveyed his fingers to the fiico of tho hon . member , as if ho were about to pull his nose . This indignity , inflicted under the eye of the chairman and of a full House , elicited loud and indignant cries of " Order , order !"

    Mr . H . Denison hereupon roso and said , —Really , Mr . Bcrnal , I must appeal to you . ( Hear , hear . ) I do think that when tho Attorney-General of her Majesty ' s Government is addressing tho committoo , if I call an hon . member to ordor , and ho puts his hand in my face , I think that —( tho rest of tho Hcntenco wus drowned by loud cries of " Hear , hoar . " ) I have myself experienced considerable inconvenience , nnd I havo scon other gentlemen oxporienco tho samo inconvenience from tho Biuno cause . ( JLoud cheers . ) Wo have endured this system of interference with tho greatest goodwill , and kindnosa * and forbearance , but thoro is a point beyond which wo ought not to go . ( Hear , hear . ) I regret that I am in tho unfortunate position of boing obliged to mako thia observation , but I cannot help it .

    Mr . ' BsuNAJt . —Tbo power of a chairman of committees ia limited . What ; tho chairman can do is to report to the Houso tho conduct of any lion , gontlomun . If tho House should consider that I ou ^ lit to report tho conduct of any hon . member , thoy will bo kind enough to instruct mo , and I will report it accordingly . On the recommendation of Mr . Wai-pom : and Sir John Pakinoton , Mr . Bornal was directed to report progress , and tho Speaker was sent for . On Mr .

    O'Connor ' s conduct boing reported to him , Mr . Waiypolh moved that Mr . O'Connor bo ordered to attend in his place . This was objected to by Mr . Jacob Betx , who thought that , an Mr . O'Connor was evidently labouring under a misfortune , ]\\ h cuso ought to bo referred to two medical men . Tho A'PTOKNEY-GKNflitAi ^ on tho contrary , argued , from what had taken placo On Tuesday , that Mr . O'Connor was evidently master of hia own aota .

    Mr . T . DtmcoMnn . —I think I was partly responsible for hia rotiromonfc . I was sitting hero ( on tho front Opposi * tion bench ) , and after convoking with tho hon . member , who talked an extraordinary quantity of nonsense , ho gave mo a blow in my aide . ( A laugh , and crioB of " Order , order 1 " ) I said to him , "If you repeat thia you will gob youraoll' into a scrape , nnd will got yourself ehut up , ' * upon which ho laughed and turned round to tho hon . irtem « Jjoir on . bio right ( Mr , ii , Doniaoji ) and struck him la tho

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    Jtrttts 12 , 1852 . ] . : THE I / EADER . S 53

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), June 12, 1852, page 553, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1939/page/5/