§ Sir Robert Batesonpresented a Petition from the Lord-lieutenant, and a large body of the landed proprietors of the county of Londonderry, on the subject of tithes, and praying for more justice than had characterised former Bills. He regretted that he did not see on the opposite benches any Member of his Majesty's Government connected with Ireland; he would be satisfied if he could only see the hon. and learned Member for Dublin, who, he believed, was one of the most influential of the Irish Ministers. 786 He saw only some of the followers of the hon. and learned Member.
§ Mr. O'Dwyerrose to order. He complained of the word "followers" being applied to the Members of that H ose, raid appealed to the Speaker to know if one Member were at liberty so to speak of others.
§ The Speakerhad not observed that the hon. Baronet was out of order.
§ Mr. O'Dwyerwhat would be said of me, if I were to speak of Lord Roden and the squad in the same manner?
§ Sir Robert Batesonsaid, he had not meant to give any offence. He did not think the word so very objectionable. He had heard the word "tail" mentioned in that House with impunity, over and over again. He had selected a harmless word without meaning any personal offence. But, as it appeared to offend the sensitive feelings of the hon. Member for Drogheda, he should not use it again. He had given notice of this petition, and regretted that none of his Majesty's Ministers were present. The petitioners stated, that after the Tithe Bill of 1832, they had entered into a compact with their tenants to pay the tithes for them, some of the landlords had not done so, and as it was understood that the balance of the million fund would be applied to the payment of arrears, which would be nothing less than a bounty on agitation, it was hoped that if any portion of the arrears of tithes for 1834 were paid, those who had secured quiet and tranquillity would have the benefit of it. The petitioners prayed that in any Bill which might be introduced on the subject of tithes, their case would be taken into consideration, and evenhanded justice be thus dispensed to all classes of his Majesty's subjects. Many of these petitioners had paid the tithes of the year 1834, and they were deserving the consideration of the Legislature.
§ Mr. O'Dwyer, in reference to the observations made by the hon. Member for Londonderry as to "the followers" of the hon. and learned Member for Dublin, said, he did not conceive that such observations were proper; and he had also to remark that few persons who used such general observations would apply them to individuals, and he begged to convey that intimation in the most unequivocal manner to the hon. Member for Londonderry. He hoped that the Government would be too straightforward and too courageous in their determination to do justice to Ireland, to allow themselves to be influenced by the base intimidations 787 resorted to by those who were opposed to them, who would brand every good measure they suggested for the country as originating with the hon. and learned Member for Dublin, and being carried b his influence.
§ Sir Robert Batesonwas quite surprised at the tone adopted by the hon. Member for Drogheda. It was quite ridiculous to suppose he intended any offence to that hon. Member. What he had said of the hon. and learned Member for Dublin should be considered as a compliment to his talents.
§ Lord Morpethunderstood that a complaint had been made of his not being in his place on the presentation of the Londonderry petition. If he had known that any statement was about to be made for which his presence could be required, he should most willingly have attended. At the same time he must be permitted to say that he could hardly enter into the proposed question of Irish tithes until he had the opportunity of bringing forward that question.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.
§ Mr. Sheildid not consider that the hon. Member for Drogheda should have been at all angry with the hon. Member for Londonderry, whose high powers of sarcasm were so well known to them.