very large degree to his amendments that the
practice of flogging in the army and navy was
finally abolished.

When the Government attempted to pass the
clauses of the Mutiny Bill in large batches, Charley
insisted that they should be taken separately, much
to the disgust of the English members, who saw in
them little to discuss. Finally, when the temper
of the House had risen to fever-heat, Butt came in,
and in a speech which expressed his unchangeable
belief in constitutional methods, and at the same
time his weakness as a leader, deplored the system
of obstruction, and disowned any responsibility
for Charley's action. This speech, which was met
with loud applause from the English members on
both sides of the House, did Butt irreparable
damage among his own party, and especially
aroused the indignation of the Irish in America,
who became more determined than ever to support
Charley. A correspondence between Charley and
Butt followed, but only served to widen the breach,
as Charley claimed under the terms of his party
pledge to have full independence of action except
with regard to Irish measures.

On July 2, 1877, Charley kept the House sitting
from 4 p.m. to 7.15 a.m. on the vote for the Army
Reserve. This system of obstruction, of which the
foregoing was only a typical instance, exasperated
the English members to such a degree that they
naturally sought means of retaliation. New rules

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