Time was pressing. The second reading of
Lord George's Bill would be on in a few hours. The meeting, which
consisted of thirty-four Irish peers and members of Parliament, agreed
to forward a request to Lord George, to postpone the second reading. The
request was contained in the following resolution, with which Smith
O'Brien was deputed to wait on him: "Resolved--That Lord George Bentinck
be requested to postpone, to such a day as he shall appoint, the second
reading of the Railway Bill, in order that the discussion on the Bill
may not interfere with the progress of measures now before the House,
which are of urgent and immediate importance to the famishing people of
Ireland; and also in order that time may be allowed for the expression
of public opinion in Ireland upon the merits of the proposal of Lord
George Bentinck."
He received Mr. O'Brien in the kindest manner, but frankly told him he
could not postpone the second reading of his Bill without consulting his
friends. At the same time, he expressed an opinion, that if the Irish
members pressed their request, it would be acceded to, provided those
who were the cause of the postponement would take the responsibility of
it.
Pages:
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578