The Freeman’s Journal - Saturday, April 6, 1895

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
(BY SPECIAL WIRE.)

London, Saturday Morning.

I am asked by the whips of the Irish Party to remind the members of the party that a division of a very critical character will take place on Wednesday next on the election of Speaker. The Tories are so keen on the matter that they are withholding all pairs for the day, and the Ministerialists are making equally strenuous efforts to get as full a vote as possible. The result of the division is involved in a good deal of doubt, and it is quite on the cards that the election may be determined in the long run by two or three votes. It is being put about in the Tory papers that some four Tories are likely to support Mr Gully; but it is in the highest degree unlikely that when the time comes any Tory will wander from his allegiance. The strongest pressure is being brought to bear by the Tory whips to prevent anything of the kind taking place.

The members of the Nationalist Party are not at all disposed to accept Mr. Courtney's suggestion that the Land Bill should be referred to a joint committee of both Houses. The proposal is regarded by them to be impracticable as well as inadmissable. It is almost certain that between the two Houses there would be a majority of landlords on any such body, who would probably succeed in emasculating the bill. No time would thus be saved, and the landlords would certainly not be induced by such a proceeding to regard the bill with more favour than they already do.

The sudden ending of the prosecution of the Marquis of Queensberry was not at all a surprise. After the outline given by Mr. Carson of the evidence he proposed to call it was considered pretty certain that the trial was destined to have a sensational termination. The suit is not one that could be discussed under any circumstances; but now that Mr. Wilde is in custody on a heinous charge, which again brings the whole matter sub judice, there is an additional reason for shunning mention of it. It is hoped that when that case is brought into court again it will be found possible to try it in camera, as otherwise it will apparently be availed of by sensational papers for catchpenny purposes. Meantime it may be said that profound sympathy is felt with Lady Wilde in the trial that has overtaken her in her declining years.

Mr. Edward Carson, Q C, has won great distinction by the manner in which he has conducted the case. In fact, I heard that one of the most eminent judges on the English bench, and certainly the greatest living authority on criminal advocacy, expressed the opinion that in a short time Mr Carson "would sweep the English Bar." There is no doubt that in the time Mr. Carson has been at the English bar he has made enormous strides, and that his success is to be accounted for by the ability with which he has availed of the exceptional opportunities thrown open to him by the interest of high-placed friends.

During Mr. Sexton's speech in the House last evening Mr. Carson entered the House, and was congratulated by Mr. Balfour on his recent success. He had scarcely taken his seat when Sir Edward Clarke came in, and sat at the other side of the leader of the Opposition, with whom he entered into conversation. Sir Edward, usually so perky, looked decidedly low in the mouth, while Mr Carson, on the other hand, was naturally elated. Presently the Attorney-General—Sir R Reid—took his place on the Government benches, and nodded across a congratulation to Mr. Carson, and shortly afterwards they had a lengthened consultation behind the Speaker's chair. Meanwhile Mr. Goschen had a chat with Sir Edwd Clarke, who produced some letters from his pocket, which Mr. Goschen read eagerly. Mr. Carson was quite the centre of attraction during the remainder of the sitting, all the occupants of the front Opposition benches going up to him as they came in and conveying their congratulations. There is no doubt that this signal triumph advanced him to a foremost position at the English Bar.