MR. SMITH O'BRIENbegged leave to put a question to the noble Lord at the head of the Ministry respecting the threats to the tenants of the Marquess of Clanricarde, Postmaster General, if they did not vote for the Government candidate at the last election for the borough of Galway. Having read a brief extract from an Irish newspaper upon the subject, the hon. Member asked if it were with the sanction of the noble Lord that such coercion had been used to the tenants of the noble Marquess? He was sure that the noble Lord could have no difficulty in saying whether such coercion were authorized by himself or by any other Member of the Government in order to procure the return of the Government candidate.
LORD J. RUSSELLThe hon. Gentleman has stated nothing specific; only generally, that coercion was used to the tenants of the Marquess of Clanricarde. I disbelieve it; and until some distinct evidence is produced I shall continue to disbelieve that such coercion has been used.
MR. SMITH O'BRIENadmitted that he was not now in a condition to prove the fact; but if on farther inquiry he found that there was good reason to suppose that coercion had been used, he should move for a Select Committee to investigate the subject.