Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-03-16
The British Parliament on Affairs in
Ireland.

Parliament devoted considerable time last
week TO IRISH affairs. On Thursday night Earl
Mayo, Chief Secretary for Ireland, said he
would soon submit TO the consideration OF ths,
House plan for new Irish university, the
officers of which Were 10 be named by the
Catholics, but whose privileges were not con-
fined exclusively TO Catholics Mr. Horsman
member for Stroud, said the Ministers had
promised a reform in Ireland but their reform
proved TO be only a commission Of inq uiry aud
a new university. More than this was needed
TO conciliate Ireland, which should no longer
be ruled by English laws. customs and preiu-
dices, but according 70 the wishes of the Irish
people. Mr.. Robert Lowe thought there was
no good reason why the different relig ous sects
should not agree as well in Ireland as they dad
elsewhere The existence of Fenianism was
not in point as an evidence Of discomfort, for
there was no proof that the body of the Irish
people sympathised with that rebellious spirit,
which was confined to American agitators.
The trouble was deeper seated. Mr.. thomas
Hughes made a speech in which he urged a
general reform in Ireland. Mr.. Vance, IN the
course Of hls remarks, argued that free trade
had been very injurious TO Ireland. Mr.. Jacob
Bright forclbly denounced the anomalies OF
the Irish church establishment. Mr.. Mill a.
plored the bggarly account Of the Irish policy
OF the Ministry.
On Friday night, in reply to an inquiry re-
gsrding the circumstances of the imprison-
ment of Mr.. W. johnson, the Orange Secre-
tary, in the county Of Down, Ireland, Lord
Mayo said the prisoner was detained in tail
because he refused to express regret for his ac-
ton In leading an illegal procession.
The House then went into Committee Of the
Wtole, and resumed the debate on the state OF
Ireland. MIR. Chichester Fortescue thought n
satisfactory reform in Ireland was possIble
without disturbing the tenure of lands, but
argued that church reform needed the same
frank dealing as emancipation in 1871. Mr.
Mckenna, member for loughal, thought he
saw in the plan Of the new university a pledge
on the part of the Government TO treat the rsli-
gious sects in 1rekhd on a footing Of eq uality
Mr.. u Donogbue, member for Tralee, said the
disaf1ection among the Irish people wss wide
spread, and reached all classes Of society, par
alynng trade. The first remedies 10 be applied
should be 10 deprive the Irish Church es tab
lishment OF its endowments, and grant 10 ten
ants leases of not less duration than thirty-one
wears. MI. Hamilton charged Mr.. d Donosbps
with beng an organizer OF mock funerals an
nonor OF assassins. and said be was unfit 10 act
as an adviser
Mr.. John Bright said no question approach
eo TINS IN magnitude or gravity. The evil of
absenteelsm and the injustice of the Oh urch es-
adjustment were not the only faults. The
tenants required proprietary rights. The
scheme proposing that the Government advance
money for their relief, was impracticable.
Ownership I'm the soil could only make people
steadily loyal. The Government should negoti-
ate with the landholders, and make the land the
peoples. The proposition made by the minis
ters for the creation OF great saving bank was
inadequate. II reminded him Of the story of a
mountebank-not Cabinet Minister-who
offered Tor certain price to cure an earth
quake. lGreat laughter.l The new sectarian
university was another such pill, and as a cure
equally absurd. The plan Of Lord Russell for
asettlement OF the Church question had come
too late. We must withdraw endo wments from
all religious sects 10 make loyal and a moral
people.
Sir Stafford Northcote followed with a
lengthy speech in defence of the Government.
Without taking action the House adjourned.