There was a smart engagement in the House of Commons
on Thursday night between the Parnellites and the Government on the question whether or not the Criminal Evidence Bill,— which allows, without compelling, the person charged with an offence, and the wife or husband of the accused, to give evidence on behalf of the accused,—should take effect in Ireland as well as in this country. Mr. Healy threatened that if Ireland were not excluded from its operation, he would "devote his days and nights," doing all that the rules would allow him, to defeat it, and even Sir Henry James pleaded for leaving Ireland out of the Bill, on the ground that, after it had been tried in England and proved a success, the Irish would probably be only too glad to avail themselves of it. But, as we have shown elsewhere, that altogether depends on whether the Irish prejudice against it is a prejudice against it entertained in the interests of the inno- cent, or in the interests of offenders. After five hours' fighting, Mr. W. H. Smith moved the Closure, which was carried by a majority of 49 (160 against 111), and then Mr. Healy's amend- ment excluding Ireland was defeated by a majority of 54 (17'3 to 119), Mr. Healy with great heat accusing the First Lord of the Treasury of discourtesy to Irish Members, a charge from which the Chancellor of the Exchequer defended him amidst general cheering. Mr. Morley supported Sir Henry James in his appeal to exclude Ireland from the operation of the measure. Bat, in our opinion at all events, it would have been a, great injustice to Irishmen unjustly accused of crime, had the Government yielded to the appeal.
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