§ SIR EDMUND LECHMERE (Worcestershire, Bewdley)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has ascertained the accuracy of paragraphs which appeared in The Daily News and Birmingham Daily Gazette, respectively, of December 12, to which his attention has already been called, relating to the alleged proceedings of Berry the hangman, at Kidderminster, subsequently to the execution of a man at Worcester, such paragraphs describing Berry as
Having visited several public-houses, made a speech to a large number of persons, held quite a levée at one of the public-houses, and freely distributed cards bearing his name as public executioner;451 and, whether he is aware that a strong and general feeling of disgust has been excited at Kidderminster and elsewhere by Berry's conduct?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)The hon. Baronet is, no doubt, aware that I answered a Question on this subject on Friday last. Since then I have received a letter from the High Sheriff, who informs me that he has called upon Berry for an explanation of his conduct subsequent to the execution, so far as it involved a breach of the conditions upon which his services were engaged. Those conditions were that, prior to the execution, he should not go to any place of public entertainment; and that after the execution, as soon as his services were no longer required, he should proceed direct from the gaol to the railway station in a cab, accompanied by a warder. The High Sheriff has promised to send me a copy of the reply made by Berry to his letter.