The Life Of Charles Stewart Parnell Vol - I

-3ET. 3o] SUSPENSION OF IRISH MEMBERS 28o
of Mr. Gladstone. Thirty-two Irish members refused to leave the House during the division, and they were immediately suspended. 'I was sitting quietly in my room off the Strand/ says Mr. Frank Hugh O'Donnell, 'when Biggar rushed in and said: "We have been suspended. Do you run down to the House and get suspended at once." Of course I rushed off. As I took my seat Mr. Gladstone was speaking on the "closure." I at once moved that he should be no longer heard, and wras suspended on the spot.' Other Irish members who had been away, at the ' grand scene' strolled in, moved that Mr, Gladstone should no longer be heard, and were suspended in detail. The last victim was ' Dick' Power, one of the most genial and pleasant of men. He was a great friend of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Sergeant Gossett, and indeed spent many hours chatting away in that official's room during dull nights when the House bored him. ' Dick ' having refused to leave his seat during the division on Mr. O'Donnell's suspension, was named. He declined to withdraw unless under the pressure of superior force. The Sergeant-at-Arms appeared, placed his hand on Dick's shoulder, and asked his old friend to retire. ' I won't go, Sergeant,' said Dick. ' My dear Dick,' quoth the Sergeant, ' do come away.' 4 Devil a foot, Sergeant. You'll have to get the police before I stir.' And he kept the Sergeant on tenterhooks for several minutes before finally quitting his place. Later on he might have been seen discussing the whole question in the Sergeant's room over a friendly cigar.
' Did Mr. Parnell,' I asked Mr. McCarthy, ' seek the expulsion of the Irish members on this occasion ? '
He answered: ' Parnell certainly forced the running. Dillon first got into difficulties with the Speaker. He