§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Tyrone, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is now prepared to state what course the Government intend to take in the case of Alexander Steen, stamp distributor and registrar of marriages at Clogher, county Tyrone, in reference to the evidence submitted to him as to Mr. Steen's part in issuing an inflammatory placard summoning an Orange counter-demonstration, and subsequently publishing a black list distinguishing the Orange from the Nationalist traders of Clogher by name?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle-on-Tyne)In reply to the hon. Member, I have to say hat I made inquiry and sent an Inspector—or an official—down to make an inquiry into this matter. The information which I have obtained in response to that inquiry does not legally connect Alexander Steen with the issue of the placard referred to. The hon. Member will perceive that a particular name being affixed to a placard is not itself legal evidence against that person. I am advised that neither the placard nor the notice could be the subject of a prosecution. In the absence of any persons to come forward to give evidence in public we cannot carry the matter further.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked whether there was any other Alexander Steen in the district, and whether he had been asked if he was the author of these placards?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYSubject to legal correction I will state that I believe we have no right to go to him on the subject. I may point out that the mere fact of his name appearing on the circular in no way connects him with it.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN(who on rising was received with cries of "Order!") said, he was perfectly in Order. He would ask whether this gentleman had ever disowned these placards, seeing that they had upon several occasions been the subject of discussion in that House and elsewhere?
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYWe cannot press him to own or disown them.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIENI will then be obliged on Friday next to put down a Motion upon this matter.