After Mr. W. H. Smith had declared his intention of
putting a definite term to the debate,—Mr. Morley protesting that more than a day's notice should have been given of the motion,—the discussion on the Crimes Bill was resumed, and a variety of amendments were negatived, the most important being Sir Charles Russell's amendment to give the power of changing the venue to the defendant as well as to the Crown. This amendment was negatived by a majority of only 35; but we do not think that Sir Charles Russell made a strong case for it. The ground for changing the venue is that in certain parts of Ireland juries are afraid to convict, and do acquit criminals against whom the evidence is decisive ; but Sir Charles Russell failed to show that there are any parts of Ireland in which juries are eager to convict, even when the evidence is in- adequate. Later, Mr. Balfour announced the intention of the Government to drop the sub-section empowering the Crown to change the venue to England in case of serious crime, where- upon Sir William Harcourt made a lively attack on the Govern- ment. Mr. Smith rising to reply, was met by Mr. Healy's proposal of the Closure, which was carried without a division, Mr. W. H. Smith preferring golden silence to silvern speech.
