20 JUNE 1885, Page 13

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

IRELAND AND THE CRIMES ACT.

[To TIM EDITOR Or MI 8PECTATOR...1

Sin„—I thoroughly agree with you, that, where practicable, it is most desirable to get rid of exceptional legislation for Ireland of the criminal and police kind ; and that whatever modification of existing law is needed, as to the composition of juries and the power to hold investigations, ought to be made permanent, and to apply to the entire kingdom alike. But there are two provisions of the Crimes Act which are not needed in England and Scotland, and yet ought to be permanently maintained in Ireland. The most important of these is that power of practically fining a district, which is often made necessary by the conspiracy of the entire population to suppress evidence in cases of murder and outrage. The other is the power to prohibit public meetings without being required to show cause. I do not know whether this is of any value for t'm prevention of intimidation, but it is of great importance for the prevention of riot. When a riot is expected at a celebration of the 12th of July, or other open-air meeting, people attend the meeting armed, and thus the expectation of a sanguinary collision tends to realise itself.—I am, Sir, &c., Btlfast, June 151h. JOSEPH JOHN MaRPHY.