THE LATE RIOTS IN BELFAST.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR:]
Sin,—Absence from home has prevented me from seeing the: Spectator of the 24th August till to-day. As a Belfast man, I thank you for your article on the Belfast riots. I hope no revival of the Party Processions' Act may take place. That Act did not prevent rioting, and it did harm by accustoming the so-called " loyal " party in Ireland to treat an Act of Parliament with con- tempt. The Irish Government, and equally the local magistrates,. ought to have power to prohibit any open-air meeting whatever, without being required to show cause.
The essential matter is, however, as you point out, that the peace of Belfast ought not to be left to the care of the local magistracy. This is as wrong in Belfast as it would be in Lyons.. It is not so clear to me as it is to you that the magistracy needs reconstruction all over Ireland, and Belfast ought not to have to wait for a system that will keep order for what may be a slow work of general reconstruction. 1 do not believe that there would be any serious opposition from Belfast to an Act of Parliament. placing the police of the town under the Government, in such a. way as to fasten on Government the undivided responsibility of keeping the peace.
The Times asks why the order-loving inhabitants of Belfast did_ not volunteer as special constables,—that is to say, why did not they take sticks and face a mob that uses fire-arms?---I am, Sir, &c.„
JOSEPH JOHN MURPHY.
Previous page
