§ MR. W. J. CORBET (Wicklow, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, What decision the Lord Chancellor has come to in reference to the conduct of Messieurs Truell, Barton, and Acton as Justices of the Peace, in sentencing Mr. Storey to six months' imprisonment, without the option of fine, for a nominal assault; and, whether the Lord Lieutenant has acceded to the application made to him on behalf of Mr. Storey, and remitted the penalty of five ponnds imposed by the County Court Judge in reversing the decision of the Magistrates?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle - on - Tyne)The Lord Chancellor has received the ex- 20 planation of the magistrates. They state that it was proved before them that the peace of the district was seriously endangered, and, therefore, that they thought it necessary to impose a severe sentence. The Lord Chancellor sees no reason to doubt that they arrived at the conclusion in good faith; but he concurs with the County Court Judge in thinking that the original sentence was, under the circumstances, one of undue severity, and he has so informed the magistrates, with an intimation that he hopes in future they will exercise a more careful discretion in fixing the amount of punishment. His Excellency has declined to remit the fine which was attached to the reversal of the decision of these magistrates.