FRACAS IN THE VICTORIAN ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1857, 5 February 1880, Page 3

FRACAS IN THE VICTORIAN ASSEMBLY.

["Melbourne “Argus,” Jan.23.] A disgrace which has long been expected, namely, a fight on the floor of the Assembly, occurred last night when Ministers had expelled the Press and the house was sitting with closed doors. The evening was spent in comparative peace until after 9 o’clock, when Mr MTntyre, on the votes for the department of the Chief Secretary being finished, rose to call attention to the position in which the embassy item had been left the previous evening. In the absence of Mr James, MrF. L. Smyth was in the chair, and Mr Smyth would not allow Mr M'lntyre to debate the question on a motion to report progress, on the ground that it had been debated the previous evening on a similar motion, which motion was negatived. This ruling was taken exception to by Mr Q-illies and Mr Murray Smith, who pointed out that it was simply a violation of all parliamentary canons; but it was supported, without reasons being adduced, by the Attorney-General and the Minister of Customs, and feeling soon began to manifest itself. Mr M'lntyre moved that the issue be referred to the Speaker for his decision. He proceeded to refer to the desire evinced to silence members on the embassy expenditure, when Sir Bryan O’Loghlen rose and directed the clearance of the galleries, and this step at once plunged the House into excitement, as the Opposition warmly resent these continued tactics of the Ministry of “prohibiting the performance.” There were cries of “shame,” and of “ the Ministry applying the gag again,” from the left of the House, which were warmly responded to by Government members. Among these Mr Fergusson was conspicuous—as usual —by his ejaculations. It so happens that during the Christmas recess Mr Fergusson’s appearance has undergone a remarkable change, and the member for South Bourke has had to submit to some lively badinage on this account, members remarking that they “respect grey hairs, but not brown,” and in other ways indicating a belief that the hon. gentleman, as it was put, “ dyes his whiskers.” One member called out, “ Wo will whiten your hair for you,” and Mr Mclntyre remarked, in answer to an interjection from Mr Fergusson, “ We will give you a wig, old man, to match your whiskers.” The joke had unexpected results. Mr Fergusson strode to the table. He endeavored to wrench away the wooden stand from the mace. Failing in that, he grasped with his two hands a heavy volume of the statutes, and with it struck a blow edgeways at Mr Mclntyre. Mr Mclntyre grappled with his assailant, and seized his wrists, and the blow fell upon Mr Bent, who rushed to prevent the encounter, and it inflicted a severe bruise. Mr M'lntyre’s strength of grip threw Mr Fergusson over, but he dropped the book and grasped at his opponent’s beard and whiskers. By this time all was confusion, and the shouts and the cries of the excited members could be heard despite the locked doors in all parts of the building. Mr Carter, Mr Zox, Mr Young, and Mr Bent, seized Mr Fergusson, who had tumbled over on the seat, and drew him away, he struggling violently and ejaculating, “Let me go, let me go ; let_ me get at the blackguard,” and by physical force they dragged him across the House to his seat behind the Government. Mr Smyth at once refused to continue the sitting, vacated the chair, and sent for the Speaker, and reported that gross disorder had occurred in committee. The question then arose whether particulars should be communicated to the Speaker. Sir 0. Gavan Duffy intimated that if ho was officially informed of what had

iasen place he should certainly insist upon the oxen plary punishment o£ the offender, and ha consequences must be most serious, i'nere was some division of opinion on the noint. Some members wore of opinion that the offender should be spared, while Mr Orr took the ground that punishment was called for, and he declared his belief that if a knife had been at hand Mr Fergusson would have been a murderer. However, Mr Mclntyre interposed on behalf of the culprit, declaring his belief that no punishment could bo so severe as would be Mr Fergusson’s reflections the next morning, and it was agreed that the matter should not be reported to the Speaker, and that Mr Fergusson should make an apology in committee, which he did in not very gracious terms. Ministers then wished to report progress, but Mr Bent objected, in absolute terms, and declared that, come what might, not a step should bo taken of any kind until the Press was admitted. He held Sir Bryan O’Lighlen and his colleagues responsible for all that had occurred, by their persistence in applying the gag. Sir Bryan O’Loghlen still protested, but gave way to the general remonstrance, and the galleries were then opened, and instantly afterwards the disreputable proceedings were brought—at a quarter-past eleven o’clock—to a close. After the House Lad risen hon. members freely exchanged expressions of regret, and stated their sense of humiliation consequent upon the disgrace of the evening. No absolute blow has been struck in the Victorian Assembly before this, and the outrage appears to be keenly felt on both sides.