HC Deb 23 June 1868 vol 192 cc1980-2

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed to Question [12th May], "That the Bill be now read a second time;" and which Amendment was, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—(The Earl of Mayo.)

Question again proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question,"

Debate resumed.

COLONEL STUART KNOX

said, as that was a Bill for the promotion of anarchy and bloodshed in Ireland, he begged to move that that debate be adjourned till the 10th of August.

THE EARL OF MAYO

suggested that an arrangement should be made as to the time which should be fixed for discussing the measure if it was to be proceeded with.

MR. SYNAN

, concurring with the remark of the noble Lord, moved that the debate should be adjourned till that day week.

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

said, he was quite of an opposite opinion to that of the hon. and gallant Member who said that was a Bill for the promotion of anarchy and bloodshed in Ireland. He thought that a change in the law on that subject was necessary, particularly as a General Election was approaching, and it was very desirable that they should have some convenient time fixed for the discussion of that measure. In his opinion the military had been too lightly used at elections in Ireland.

MR. SERJEANT BARRY

said, this Bill was on the Paper but twice before; and on one occasion, upon the suggestion of the noble Lord, it was postponed. On the last occasion it came on at one o'clock; and if, the debate having been adjourned, it came on so late as this, it was not his fault.

COLONEL STUART KNOX

said, he was surprised at the remark of the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Chichester Fortescue) that troops were never required at Irish elections; because, while the right hon. Gentleman was in Office the Government of which he had been a Member sent troops to every election in Ireland, even whether they were required or not.

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

explained that he had not said that troops were never required, but that they ought not be be lightly used.

THE EARL of MAYO

said, he hoped the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Chichester Fortescue) would specify any occasion on which the troops had been lightly used, because that had certainly not been done since he (the Earl of Mayo) had the holding the Office of Chief Secretary. The statement of the right hon. Gentleman that right astonished him excessively, because the course taken with regard to the military at the last General Election was this—On one day there were about 10,000 men—policemen and military—employed in keeping the peace at the General Election in Ireland, and he believed that the last Government followed in that respect the example set by former Governments, and supplied those troops on the requisition of the magistrates for the preservation of the public peace.

MR. CHICHESTER FORTESCUE

disclaimed any idea of making special reference to anything that had occurred since the noble Earl had held Office, He had only spoken generally of the system; and if his noble Friend thought this system perfect, all he could say was that he did not agree with him.

Debate adjourned further till Tuesday next.