§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTasked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the following paragraph, which appeared in the "United Ireland" of Saturday, May the 6th:—
The rats in the Castle cellars had better beware of rat traps; the vermin are going to have a had time of it;and, who are the registered or known proprietors of this journal?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. PORTER)My attention has been called to the article in question, and it has also been considered by the Attorney General for Ireland. It is not believed that the article was intended to convey, or that it really did convey, any threat; but was merely a rough and coarse commentary on the expected changes in the Administration at the Castle. I am unable to say who are the present registered proprietors; but I know that in August last it was registered in the names of seven persons, whose names have already been given in this House, and which I can repeat if desired. [Cries of "Repeat!"] They were Mr. Patrick Egan, Mr. Charles Stewart Parnell, Dr. Joseph E. Kenny, Mr. J. G. Biggar, Mr. W. O'Brien, Mr. Justin M'Carthy, and Mr. Richard Lalor.