THE HOUE OF COMMONS AND THE DERBY.

Evening Star, Issue 4184, 25 July 1876, Page 4

THE HOUE OF COMMONS AND THE DERBY.

{London Paper.) > .• In the House of Commons on Jnne 29 the annual debate on the question of adjourning over the Derby Day took place. It was introduced by Mr Disraeli, who moved the adjournment of the House over the Derbyday. • Sir Wi Lawson opposed the motion. He denied that it was'made with the general cohcurrencoor'the House, or' that it was. a time-honored custom, as it ; was not n|ore tihan thirty ypara old.. He\ objocted moreover on principle to adjournment in deferenoe to,, horse,-.racing, becauso if that plea were once admitted :the House might on some future occasion adjourn on .account «f a pigeon-shooting or cock-fighting Tnatch. Moreover," h0.. : that horse- • racing had peaaed.to annisement, as Epsom. Downs : wexc.;now powered with gamblers and blacklegs, and the race was merely an excuse for betting.'' He did not object to individual members going to the Derby, but he called upon the House to set its face against all adjournments in its, national capacity on. account of a horse-race. , .Mr B. Davenport protested against what he termed " the annual performance " of Sir W. Lawson, and recommended him to. keep to temperance and leave the Derby alone. He added: that he did not wish to assert, as others had done, that Sir Wilfrid had himself been at - the Derby last year,- but this ho did. know, that when standing at Hyde Park looking at the people returning from the race, he saw a person, dusty but cheerful, and wearing a doll in • his hat, who looked remarkably like the hon. member for Carlisle.

. Mr Assheton agreed with Sir W. Lawson that it was a serious thing'for Parliament to waste a day that might otherwise be devoted 'to useful legislation. Mr Bright reminded tho'. House that although it could not prevent betting or gambling on horse races, it might set a great example to the country by refusing to sanction by'its presence an amusement which, however innocent it might be in itself, was still th« cause of enormous ; evil in every great town m the Empire. Mr 11. Power expressed his. readiness to vote for two Derby day adjournments, if necessary. He would be ashamed of any Irishman who would vote that evening in the minority, and he would eertaiuly "cut him " for the future. For his own part he was determined tt>'go to the Derby—firstly, because he was a great loverof the'horse ; secondly,..because he regarded, racing as an ancient and noble pastime ; and thirdly, because he was firmly persuaded' that he would meet a greater namber of his constituents at Ep?om than any other place. On a division, the motion was carried by 207 to 118. The result was hailed with cheers and counter cheers.