THE LATEST IRISH BUBBLE.
The recent outburst about the corruptibility of Irish Members be- gan with the attack on two gentlemen who had joined the Govern- ment, and the gravamen of the attack was directed against the Government itself, for corrupting Irishmen. That grave charge came to nothing. Whatever may have been equivocal in the mat- ter evidently belonged to Irishmen exclusively; and English Mi- nisters had exercised no other influence than that of offering a share of administration to gentlemen connected with Ireland. More recently, Dr. Gray of Dublin revived those charges of cor- ruption practised upon Irishmen ; asserting that the place of a Poor-law Guardian had been purchased for 3001., and that a Sti- pendiary Magistrate had also purchased his place. Dr. Gray is brought before the Committee, the case is examined, and it breaks down.
Besides "rumours of cases," there are only two substantial alle- gations. The one case within Dr. Gray's knowledge is that of a Mr. Fair, who some time ago told Dr. Gray that he was in nego- tiation to purchase a paid Poor-law Guardianship for 3001.; Mr. Somers being the agent to procure the place. Mr. Fair is now an apprentice to a solicitor in Dublin, and at that time he must have been. very young. A case worse in aspect was that of Mr. How- ley, of whom it is said, that in 1841 he bought the place of Sti- pendiary Magistrate. But Mr. Howley himself is brought for- ward, and declares that he obtained the place through testimonials from forty-eight magistrates of all parties, and especially through his introduction by Daniel O'Connell to Lord Morpeth. After waiting for some years, he received the appointment from Lord Morpeth, in 1841.
These charges were made as if they had some present force, but the facts belonged to 1841 or a still earlier date. From twelve to fifteen years ago the events happened. The accusation began with attacks on Government; but again in this second charge, the only proof, so far as it goes, is against Irishmen. Mr. Howley paid nothing for his magistracy ; he lent some money, but the money was lent in the ordinary course of business. The person who really obtained him his place was Daniel O'Connell. Now, we have never upheld the means by which O'Connell initiated his agitations and hisinfluences, but the time has passed for exposing the peccadilloes of the Celtic tribune ; and Englishmen at all events would not care at this date to unveil the sins of the Great Irishman. It is apparently for the political sons of the Liberator to reverse the example of Noah's sons. The events occurred a long while ago ; they have no reference to the present English Government, little to any English Government. It is an Irish affair and if Irishmen choose to indulge their appetite for asper- sion of the dead as well as the living, they must enjoy their taste. It is to be hoped, however, that this example will for a time at least obliterate any influence that can attach to Irish scandals.
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