Yesterday week, Dr. Tanner insulted Mr. Long in the lobby
of the House of Commons. This is Mr. Long's own account of the affair :—" I had no intention whatever of offering the hon. Member any offence, or of wounding his feelings, or of saying anything that would in any way hurt him. I said: 'Did not something go wrong with you in the division, Dr. Tanner; what was it P' His answer was : ' You are one of the Tories, ain't you f" My reply was : 'Yes, certainly.' To that he replied: 'Then, I wish to God you would not speak to me. I have told you d—d Tories before not to speak to me. You have your own d—d lot, talk to them.' To that I replied I beg your pardon, I was not aware that you did not wish to be spoken to; to which he replied : ' Well, I wish you would keep your d—.1 tongue in your lips and not make a d—d fool of yourself.' He then retreated to the centre of the lobby, where he shouted : That's a d—d snub for you.' " When Mr. Long gave notice to Dr. Tanner that he should bring the matter before the House, Dr. Tanner returned his letter to him in an envelope without a word.
