New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-17
THE IRISH QUESTION.

Generations of vicissltude brought Ireland
Emancipation. After at least eighty years 81
agitation her Church rights have been acknow-
edged. Now, following the event of Disestab-
lishment, comes the Land Question, which evcy
Tory fears is to be the final disruption Of
society.
| The craftsmanship of England cannot escpe
the earnest examining and righting OF this old
bundle of wrongs. They are at the root OF
Ireland's poverty. just rs sometimes ihe
pOtato-rOt has been at the root of famine.
The question has three points of con-
sderation, namely, the improvement OF
land, tenantright and eviction. The first
cOmprehends the tenants interest in his m
prOvements, now devoured by the LANDLORDS
never allowed, never stipulated, contract be-
ing almost unknown among large portion of
the Irish peasantry. Tenant-right means the
right of tenant to be paid certain sun by
an incoming tenant. Eviction or election in
wolves the question upon what condition the
landlord may turn out his tenant or raise his
rent at will. Many hold that, after paying for
tenant-right and Improvements, if they exist,
the landlord should be allowed to eject Is he
pleases; but it is better argued that, if the
right of the tenant to be paid for improve
ments and for tenant-right were once hor-
Oughly admitted he would be protected against
eviction by the natural unwillingness OF the
landlord to get rid of him except upol the
cheapest and most advantageous terms. AS
it is, the peasant may put $3.50 worth OF I'M
prOvement on his ground, as in a case htely
reported, and though thus lie adds enormously
to the value of his landlords property, hare no
claim upon it and no gain thereby except thecOn
tnuance of occupation, which is insecure. Lases
are in some counties very uncommon, and
on some estates refused; contracts are mo- to
be thought of, as it Is the tacit exaction o. the
landlord that the tenant shall trust him, and
the tenant fears to do anything else. The ON
missioner sent out by The Times to describe
the land evils of Ireland reports that on ome
estates notices to quit are served every Tear,
to give the landlords the means of putting up
the rent at pleasure; and in one case widow
has been forbidden TO re-marry from mere
caprice of her landlord. The sale Of arms
| held at will is frequent and tough
heavy prices are paid for them. landlords may
| dispose of them much as they please. lt has
been said that the Irish object to lease, and
poioA w NC ochdhls az "iu-tndJ Is " Guy,
tenants at risk of being evicted but the latest
English student of the land problem throws
contempt upon that plea. One simple senant
in answer to question of The TmesS Observer,
doubtless hit the mystery of the question in
saying that mfr. Stafford O'Brien preferred his
people to trust 10 his word; that they did
not like to trouble his Honor; that, perhaps,
his agent and he would not be pleased that
| Gland would probably be re-valued if al applica-
ton for lease.were made; and, of course, that a
"mere twenty years lease would. in such
circumstances be of no advantage. Things
! might as well remain Us they were, trusting TO