A STRONG-MINDED DEPUTATION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 14, 23 October 1871, Page 3

A STRONG-MINDED DEPUTATION.

On July 20 a deputation, which is described as “ extraordinary in its character, composition, and conduct,” waited on Mr. Bruce at the Home Oflice to impress upon that right lion, gentleman their views on the subject of the Contagious Disease Acts. The deputation was formed out of a “ conference” which had been sitting to con sider the subject of the Contagious Diseases Acts as applied in certain garrison towns, and of this conference about 200 excited men and women assembled at the Home Office. The mule portion of the deputation consisted of members of different religious bodies and persons said to represent various towns, while the female portion was constituted of young, middleaged, and elderly women, apparently eao-er to enter into discussion on the subject, and who gave the most unremitting attention to the procedings. No little excitement was caused when the deputation was yet in the anteroom by a declaration tliat, as tlie Minister’s room would not hold them all, some must remain outside ; but all insisted on going in, and front places were as far as possible, given to the women. The deputation was introduced by Mr. W. Fowler, M.P. for Cambridge ; after which Mr. Shaen, the chairman of the conference, addressing the Home Secretary, said that the agitation was a spontaneous outburst of public feeling throughout the country. Women had combined with men in this agitation, and, speaking in the presence of many members of Parliament, among whom were Mr. Jacob Bright, and Mr. Birley, he felt that he might say that the very existance of the Liberal party depended upon the manner in which this subject wag dealt with. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Bruce said: I must tell you that this is not a public meeting. I shall be happy to hear your views, but you must not conduct these proceedings as if you were in a public gathering. Mr. Rhaen then presented the memorial of the conference, a document very strongly worded, and demanding the “ immediate and unconditional repeal of the acts.” The Rev. Dr. Guthrie (of the Scotch Kirk) declared that unless the acts were repealed, the subject should be brought to the knowledge of every householder in the kingdom ; and he expressed himself as horrified at 1 lie literature which Christian men and women, who were loyal subjects, would feel it their duty to send broadcast. He appealed eloquently to the Minister to spare the public this pain and trouble. Colonel Davidson held out the prospect that the election of members would depend upon*their rejeeton of these Acts. The Rev. Dr. Rigg (Principal of the Wesleyan

Training College) believed that if the Ad ß were not repealed the agitation would go on to a greater extent than ever, and that the people would have to be made to understand the subject even at the hazard of the matter being discussed by women and children. * Several other persons addressed Mr. Bruce, and one placed in his hands a petition from his own constituents, with the remark that it was the first, but not the last. Mrs. M’Larcn (the wife of the member for Edinburgh), Mr. Birlcy, M. P„ Colonel Sykes, M. P., Mr. Otway, M. P., and Miss Becker were among the others who spoke, and the last argued on the outrage of any woman, however degraded might be that woman’s character, having to submit to the examination. Several other persons broke the limit drawn for speakers, and insisted on continuing the discussion. Air. Brucey in reply,said it struck him as peculiar that the strongest opposition against those acts should have come from the places farthest from the towns where they were in operation. I know that three gentlemen from places where they are in force have spoken—(interruption)—and I dare say, if time permitted, others would speak from these towns ; but, at the same time, I may saj T , if you give yourselves the pains to read the evidence given before the Royal Commission, you will find that clergymen, magistrates, and some of the best and most virtuous and considerate citizens gave evidence which shows the very strongest arguments for the continuance of legislaiton on this subject, and these, I may add, are as Christian as ourselves, as loyal, as attached to }he Constitution as any here, oven though they deeply desire to see a continuance of legislation on these points. (Impatient murmurs.) Now, these arc matters of fact and not matters of opinion. Let me also allude to another matter. 1 think it is in the worst possible taste to make attempts to influence me by appeals to my own interests, as was done by this document (Mr. Bruce indicated the memorial from his constituents.) lam here as representing the Government, and it is, to say the least, wrong to attempt to induce me by appeals to private motives to take a certain course. The Government were of opinion that the acts in their present shape could not continue ; but they could not, and Parliament would not support them if they did, propose their unconditional repeal. “Substituted legislation will require the greatest possible care. The commission have recommended various important changes in the law. and, as many of these affect personal liberty, it is obvious that the Government cannot propose immature legislation. It is to be regretted that the commission has reported so late in the session, and doubtless some of that delay is attributable to the Government in forming the commission late. This was caused by the Government having to apply to a large number of gentlemen to sit on the commission. [A woman’s voice : ‘ You did not apply to any women.’] A great number declined to sit, some on account of the disagreeable nature of the inquiry, and hence arose the delay." Air Bruce proceeded to state that the commissioners, who were men in every way qualified to form a calm and judicial opinion on the evidence, had reported that there was no foundation for the allegations which had been made respecting any outrageous application of the law. This averment, was received with .many remarks of disapproval, and attempts were made to renew the discussion. Air Alundella, AI.P., pressed Mr Bruce to listen to him, and urged him to suspend the Acts, and Mr APLaren also urged this. Air Bruce said he must consult his colleagues on this new point. One of the deputation said the repeal of the Acts would make Air Bruce a popular Minister. Air Bruce said it was his opinion that good measures lessened the popularity of a Alinistry, but popularity should be the last consideration of a Alinistry. The deputation then reluctantly withdrew Air. Edward Baines, AI.P., in a letter to the Timex, denies that the deputation was either “ unruly,” disorderly,” or “ inde cent.” As to the ladies present, Air Baines believes they were “of as high a character as any women in England, belonging for the most part to the benevolent class who render such valuable services on the committees of our penitentiaries and reformatories.” He adds that it is believed that there is an influential party who will oppose the repeal of the act next session, and asks—“ Can anyone suppose that those who, when half despairing of success, fought the battle of 1871 against the acts, will fail to use the weapons with which the report and evidence of the Commission supply them in order to win the battle of 1872 ?”

. The deputation (the Times reporter states) pressed rudely into Mr Bruce’s room, in opposition to the advice and wishes even of the leaders, and when there, lustily cheered, shouted, stamped, and knocked with umbrellas, parasols, and sticks. Reproved at the outset by Mr Bruce, the violence of these “ unruly and disorderly” manifestations were somewhat lessened, but all the repeated “ hushes” to which Mr Baines refers followed the various outbreaks, and made only a slight show of order as against a vast amount of disorder. These manifestations lasted throughout the interview, and any assertion to the contrary, or implied contradiction, is contrary to the fact. The term “ disorderly” applies to the action of those persons who broke down all rule, elbowed their way to the front, and insisted upon speaking, even when other speakers had been called upon and were already addressing Mr Bruce. A stronger word than “ indecent” even might be applied to the language and contradictions hurled at Mr Bruce during the whole time he was speaking. Some of the “ ladies and gentlemen” in whose vindication Mr Baines writes, did not hesitate to give Mr Bruce the lie direct to his face when he spoke of the honor of the Royal Commissioners, and, altogether, such an exhibition of disorder and indecency was never witnessed by me in a long experience of the conduct of deputations.