Expulsion of a Sydney Legislator.
Description of the Scene. [Special to the Po&j.) MELBOURNE. November 15. The Argus contains the following account of the scene ir tbe New Wales Parliimont: —In Ccmmitee Mr. M'Millan, the Colonial Treasurer, - rose to make an explanation on a remark made by Mr. Opeland, when Mr. Crick, who was evidently "excited," interposed with the exclamation "No! Don't let him." Mr M'Millan retorted, "You are nobody." The Chairman, " Order!" Mr. Crick, " You aro only a make-shift." Mr. Traill, " Not a shift, a shirt." Thp Chairman called on Mr. M'Millan fa'withdraw his remark Mr. M'Millan explained that he'only meant that Mr. Crick was nobody in Ibis particular matter. Mr. Crick withdrew his remarks, hut persistently refused to up-.io.Mse, and i ycntually the Chairman urdmid hiaaprps't. Whei) the Scrgpanii at-Arms uppixnW W v Gv&H^A
to move' although advice to obey the chair was showered from all sid; s. When the Sergeant advanced to hy his hands on him. he showed fight, and several messengers went forward (o assist in his expulsion. The members precipitated lelfc th'-ir seals to view Ihe affair from the floor, while others crowded in from the smoking room and elsewhere. The Chamber was one extraordinary scene of riot and disorder, members cossfiring remarks at one another, and advising Mr Crick to cease his resistance. The Chairman vainly endeavoured to keep order. The Ser-' gent, with his assistants, attempted to carry Mr. Crick out bodily, but he struck out with both hands, hitting the attendants heavily. Eventually he was borne down by the force of numbers on to his seat and then literally carried from the Chamber, kicking, struggling, nnd threntning vengeance. In the ante-room he was liberrted, and made a viiious ns'i to (g t lack into He Chamber, but was stopped, and another struggle ensued. Ultimately he was calmed down, and gave his word that ho would not attempt to enter the Chamber. He was then permitted to walk into the Opposition room. Meanwhile, the Chamber, the Chairman having obtained some degree of order, called on Mr. McMillan to resume, and he was about to do so when Sir Henry Parkes moved that the Chairman report the scene to the House. Mr Copeland objected on the point of order that MrM'Millan having resumed his speech the disord-r became antecedent business, and could not be referred to. After some discussisn the point of order was overruled. A heated personal and acrimonious debate followed. The motion was ultimately carried. The Speaker having returned to the Chamber, the Chairman of Committees* reported the affair in detail. Mr Copeland endeavour* d to raise a point of order, but the Speaker would not allow- it, and recalled Mr Crick, ifter this followed the most remarkable scene of all. Mr Crick asked if he appeared as a prisoner or by request, assuring the Speaker that he would refuse to appear as a prisoner. The Speaker assured him that such was not the case, and invited him to make an explanation of his conduct before the House proceeded to discuss it. Mr. Crick told the House he felt assured of hia position and would fight it in the law Courts. He sought to question the Speaker's power on several occasions, and after being threatened several times was again ordered into custody. At first he was inclined to resist the approach of the Sergent-at-Arms ; then suddenly he walked out of the Chamber, stopping as he went, and saying definately to the Speaker, "Theno you refuse to tell me what I am to reply to. Now I toll you you got £2OOO for putting the Broken Hill Water Supply Bill though, and the Chairman of Committes got £IOOO, and you are both thieves and robbers of the country. Put that to the House." He then walked outside, and having failed to obtain admission to the Speaker's Gallery, walked away. Sir IT. Park s moved that the member'? words be taken down. This was agreed to, and a second motion declaring that the conduct of the hon. member was highly disorderly and a gross breacn of the privilege of the House having carried, Sir 11. Parkes moved that he 03 expelled from the Honsf. Mr. Dibbs supported the motion, and said that Sir IT Parkes had taken the only actWi possible. During the debate which fallowed, the Speaker said he had received the following letter from Mr. Crick: —''Mr. Speaker—l consider Parliament rotten and corrupt. You put me out to-night fearing my tongue and consequent exposure. I resign my seat, and intend to appeal to my constituents against a rotten and corrupt Parliament, in which freedom of speech is totally stifled and suppressed, in order to cover up a crime. Yours, W. H. Crick." A point was raised that the resignation must be accepted, so that it rendered the motion useless, but the Speaker, ruled that there was nothing in it, and thdiscussion proceeded. Several members whi'e excusing Mr. Crick, pleaded for consideration, as he had acted when in a condition in which he did not know what he was doing. An amendment that the debate be adjourned was negatived by 5J votes to 19, and a motion, expelling Mr. Crick from the House was carried by 63 votes to 10. His seat wa3 declared vacant.
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Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 87, 2 December 1890, Page 3
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883Expulsion of a Sydney Legislator. Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 1, Issue 87, 2 December 1890, Page 3
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