The True Story of my Parliamentary Struggle   By: Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891)

OF

MY PARLIAMENTARY

STRUGGLE.

BY

CHARLES BRADLAUGH.

[Illustration]

LONDON: FREETHOUGHT PUBLISHING COMPANY, 28, STONECUTTER STREET, E.C. 1882.

PRICE SIXPENCE

LONDON:

PRINTED BY ANNIE BESANT AND CHARLES BRADLAUGH, 28, STONECUTTER STREET, E.C.

So much misapprehension and misrepresentation prevails as to what has really taken place in the House of Commons with reference to my Parliamentary struggle, that I reprint the Report of the Second Select Committee and the Evidence taken before such Committee, together with my three speeches at the bar and the resolutions of the House: these together giving the actual facts.

Ordered , [Tuesday, 25th May 1880]: THAT Mr. Bradlaugh, the Member for Northampton, having claimed at the Table of this House to make an Affirmation or Declaration instead of the Oath prescribed by Law, founding his claim upon the terms of the Act 29 & 30 Vict. c. 19, and the Evidence Amendment Acts of 1869 and 1870, and stating that he had been permitted to affirm in Courts of Justice by virtue of the said Evidence Amendment Acts: And it having been referred to a Select Committee to consider and report their opinion whether persons entitled, under the provisions of the Evidence Amendment Act, 1869, and the Evidence Amendment Act, 1870, to make a solemn Declaration instead of an Oath in Courts of Justice, may be admitted to make an Affirmation or Declaration instead of an Oath in this House, in pursuance of the Acts 29 & 30 Vict. c. 19, and 31 & 32 Vict. c. 72; And the said Committee having reported that in their opinion such persons cannot be admitted to make an Affirmation or Declaration, instead of an Oath in pursuance of the said Acts:

And Mr. Bradlaugh having since come to the Table of the House for the purpose of taking the Oath prescribed by the 29 & 30 Vict. c. 19, and the 31 & 32 Vict. c. 72, and objection having been made to his taking the said Oath, it be referred to a Select Committee to inquire into and consider the facts and circumstances under which Mr. Bradlaugh claims to have the Oath prescribed by the 29 & 30 Vict. c. 19, and 31 & 32 Vict. c. 72, administered to him in this House, and also as to the Law applicable to such claim under such circumstances, and as to the right and jurisdiction of this House to refuse to allow the said form of the Oath to be administered to him, and to report thereon to the House, together with their opinion thereon.

Ordered , [Friday, 28th May 1880]: THAT the Committee do consist of twenty three Members.

Committee nominated of

Mr. Whitbread. Sir John Holker. Mr. John Bright. Lord Henry Lennox. Mr. Massey. Mr. Staveley Hill. Sir Henry Jackson. Mr. Attorney General. Mr. Solicitor General. Sir Gabriel Goldney. Mr. Grantham. Mr. Pemberton. Mr. Watkin Williams. Mr. Walpole. Mr. Hopwood. Mr. Beresford Hope. Major Nolan. Mr. Chaplin. Mr. Serjeant Simon. Mr. Secretary Childers. Mr. Trevelyan. Sir Richard Cross. Mr. Gibson.

THAT the Committee have power to send for Persons, Papers, and Records.

THAT Five be the Quorum of the Committee.

REPORT.

THE SELECT COMMITTEE appointed to inquire into and consider the facts and circumstances under which Mr. BRADLAUGH claims to have the OATH prescribed by the 29 & 30 Vict., c. 19, and 31 and 32 Vict., c. 72, administered to him in this House; and also as to the LAW applicable to such claim under such circumstances; and as to the right and jurisdiction of this House to refuse to allow the said form of the OATH to be administered to him; and to Report thereon to the House, together with their Opinion thereon: HAVE agreed to the following REPORT: