§ MR. EDWARD HARRINGTON (Kerry, W.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that in Dr. Magner's case the County Court Judge offered to remit the sentence if Dr. Magner would cease to be a member of the National League; and, what authority the County Court Judge had to make such a demand in a district where the National League is a perfectly legal body?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I have received no information from the learned Judge; but I believe it is not unusual to remit sentences on terms.
§ MR. EDWARD HARRINGTONWhen a sentence is remitted on terms it means that the party accused is to abstain from any illegal practice; but in Dr. Magner's district the National League is a perfectly legal organization, and has as good a right to exist as Her Majesty's Cabinet; and, therefore, I say the Judge had no right to require from Dr. Magner that he should abstain from attending perfectly legal meetings.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI quite understand the drift of the hon. Member's Question; but it would be improper in me to ask the learned Judge the reason why he remitted the sentence on the accused. The learned Judge is independent of me and of this House.