§ DR. FOX (King's Co., Tullamore)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he has received a copy of a Resolution, passed unanimously by the Board of Guardians of the Tullamore Union, at their meeting on the 29th ultimo, in reference to the removal of Dr. Clarke from the Commission of the Peace; and, whether the reasons stated in that Resolution for the removal of Dr. Clarke are correct; and, if not, whether he will state the reasons specifically?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)The hon. Member sent me a copy of the Resolution to which he refers. That Resolution does not correctly set forth the grounds of Dr. Clarke's supersession. I have already stated the true reasons in reply to the hon. Member's former Question.
§ DR. FOXthe right hon. Gentleman gave no specific reason. He merely said that Dr. Clarke had been connected with an illegal act.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe Lord Chancellor's grounds for dismissing Dr. Clarke were, as I stated to the House, that he took part in meetings and proceedings inconsistent with respect for the laws and the free exercise of legal rights. [Cries of" What proceedings?"]
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)Will the right hon. Gentleman lay upon the Table of the House a Return of all the magistrates who have been, or are being, superseded, because—