EXCITING SCENE IN THE COMMONS. Mr Healey Suspended

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 206, 11 June 1887, Page 3

EXCITING SCENE IN THE COMMONS. Mr Healey Susp ended

On April 15, during the coercion debate, Major Sanderson (Conservative) said that the National League was supported mainly by criminals, dynamiters and murderers across the Atlantic. He did not charge the gentlemen opposite with imbruing their hands in blood, but he did charge them with associating with men whom they knew to be murderers. Healey rose to a point of order. The Speaker replied that Major Sanderson had made the gravest charge.", but that these could bo meb in debate. He himself was unable to interfere. Healey responded that he would say what he thought of Sanderson regardless of consequences. If Major Sanderson referred to him he had no hesitation in saying that Sanderson was a liar. This remark was greeted with rousing Parnellite cheers. The Speaker called upon Healey to withdraw the expression. Healey replied : "I am not entitled to rise until you sit down." [Cheering renewed.] The Speaker resumed the chair. Plealey again took the floor and sail : " I am only able to meet the charge in one way. If you rule Major Sanderson in order, my expression is equally in order. It you rule him out of order I shall withdraw my expression." The Speaker — That's not so. Sanderson made a charge of the gravest nature. The lesponsibility rest 1 * entirely with himself, It is his duty to prove it, if he can [cheers], but T cannot allow the expression you used. Healey repelled that Sanderson was a liar. A great uproar arose. The Speaker again called upon Healey to withdraw the expression. Healey refused to do so. The Speaker thereupon named him, and W. H. Smith, First Lord of the Treasury, moved that Healey bo suspended. Kedmond jumped up and shouted, "I say he is a liar, too !" The House divided upon themobion to suspend Healey. The motion was carried by a vote of 118 to 52. When the vote was announced, Healey walked out of the House applauded by the Parncllitcs, who stood up, wa\inf their hats and laising cheer after cheer. Sanderson, upon attempting to resume his .speech, "was interrupted by loud cries of " Withdraw !" " Withdraw !" Sexton, intenupting, asked Sander.son whether he (Sanderson) persisted in his statement or would witluliaw it. Sanderson replied that Sheridan was a member of the Executi\e Committee, of which the member for Wo-it Belfast (Sevton) was also a member. Loud cries of " Withdraw !" Withdraw !" Sexton— Did I know him to be? Did I ever associate with a man -whom I knew to be a murderer? [Cheers, and a voice, " Withdraw, you murderer."] Sanderson — I paid that Sheridan was one of the committee, and against him a true bill was found for complicity in the PhuMiix Park murders. The committee must have knou n what kind of a man he was. Hereupon Sexton, springing to his feet, shouted : " I say you arc a willful, cowardly liar." Then there was another uproar. The Parnellites all rose and cheered frantically, waUng their hats. As soon as there was a chance to be heard Sexton, again addressing Sandeison, exclaimed: "if I only met you outside the door of this house 1 would thrash you within an inch of your life." The excitement -wad ngnin renewed. The Speaker then arose and addressed the House, but his voice was inaudible above the din. When quieb was somewhat restored the Speaker said that unless Sexton withdiew the expiession he would be compelled to name him. He appealed to the House to assist him in his duty, adding that he was willing to do anything in his power to allay bad feeling. [Cheers.] The Speaker then asked Sanderson whether he charged Sexton with associating with murderers. Sanderson, after sc\eral evashe answers, which were interrupted by loud cries of " Answer !" " Answer the Speaker's question !" eventually withdrew the words ho had used. The Speaker then asked Sexton to withdraw his expression, at the same time adding : "I cannot conceal from myself the fact that the provocation has been very great." [Cheers.] Sexton formally withdrew his expression. Leake, a member for Lancashire, submitted that Healey be recalled. The Speaker submitted that nothing could be done in tho matter until the next sitting. Sexton gave notice that at the next pitting of the House he would move that the suspension of Healey be revoked. [Cheers.] Sanderson again resumed his speech, charging tho Parnellites with various connections with Egan, Ford and other advocates of murder. At the conclusion of his speech Sanderson was greeted with cheers from tho Conservative benches. Ad^ journed. Healey was suspended for a week.