§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to an article in the "Pall Mall Gazette" of the 18th of June, in which it is stated, with reference to the Corrupt Practices Bill, that—
There notoriously resides in the bosoms of some Irish Judges a very bitter hatred of Mr. Parnell and all his works. What is to prevent Mr. Justice Lawson and a Court composed of Judges of similar temper and leanings from finding that there has been undue influence, and thereby making Mr. Parnell incapable of being 561 elected to or sitting in the House of Commons for ten years;and, whether, in view of the great difficulties which beset the administration of justice in Ireland, and of the dangers with which judges and juries who do their duties with honesty and courage are surrounded, and of the terrible crimes which have been incited by similar attacks in Irish papers upon those who administer the public services in Ireland, Her Majesty's Government will take steps to punish the authors in the English Press of such grave imputations?
MR. GLADSTONEI have examined the Question of the hon. Member, and have considered the passage to which it refers. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman imagines that the Government have power to notice the passage under the existing law, or whether they ought to alter the law to meet the case. We have no power under the existing law to notice the passage, and we do not see any occasion for proposing a change in the law. The character of the Judges of the land is, I think, generally best secured by public confidence, which alone can give dignity and satisfaction in their high office. I greatly doubt whether it is expedient that a man in an official position should undertake to be a critic of criticisms of this kind, and to have his criticisms criticized by others; but as Mr. Justice Lawson is named in this particular case, and as I have had the honour of his acquaintance, and co-operating with him in former years in important matters, I may say that, so far as I understand this passage, it is one of very considerable scope and extent. It amounts, I think, to an impeachment of Mr. Justice Lawson's judicial impartiality; and, therefore, I wish to bear testimony, as an individual—for I have no right to speak officially about it—that from long experience of Mr. Justice Lawson, I have always regarded him as a gentleman of great capacity and perfect honour and integrity, and I know that no temptation would induce him to deviate from the path of official duty.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the severe condemnation passed by the Government on similar statements in the Irish papers, he will not find it possible even to condemn statements of the kind from his place in 562 Parliament when made in English newspapers?