One hundred years ago
LATE on the night of Friday week, the discussion on the Irish prison vote gave rise to one of those scenes in the House of Commons which now occur once or twice in the week. Mr T. P. O'Connor wished for the day when he might be able to give Mr A. J. Balfour six months' imprisonment, 'such as he will be the means of giving to many a braver and many a better man'. Mr Conybeare spoke of the gentlemen opposite as 'the fit representatives of smug-faced British Pharisees', — i.e., we suppose British householders in general. But Mr Healy surpassed himself — which is not very easy. 'I declare to Heaven,' exclaimed the Hon. Gentleman, 'that if I were one of the men who were treated in this way, I would save up a bucket of slops and I would carry it across the floor of this House and fling it in the face of the Chief Secretary.' (Cries of 'Oh! Oh!' and `Order'.) The Chairman: 'The Hon. Member must be aware that that is language quite unworthy to be used. (Ministerial cheers.) I call upon him to withdraw it.' (Renewed cheers.) Mr Healy remained seated, amid cries of `Withdraw' from the Ministerial ben- ches. . . . 'I again call on the Hon. and learned gentleman to withdraw his lan- guage.' Mr Healy: 'I say it is a most unfortunate thing that men of character should be subjected to humiliations of the kind described.' The Chairman: `Order, order. Mr Healy: If it is lan- guage that ought not to have been used, I regret it.'
The Spectator, 10 September 1887
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