New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-16
GREAT BRITAIN.

THE LAND oUEsTIoN-CAUsE OF THE LORD
JUSTICE CLERKS SUICIDE - MIR. MILLS
CHANCES FOR SCOTCH SEAT.
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE
LONDON. Oct. 1--WE have had three speeches
within week by three Cabinet Ministers, but do
not know that the world is much wiser for them.
What would like to get hint on is the purpose
of the Government in respect to Irish land but there
is not of light. While Mr.. Gladstone is slowly
recovering his strength at Howarden Castle, and
Mr. Bright looking after his cottOn-milis, and Mr..
Lowe practieing velocipede l forget where,
more or less speeches by other members of the Cab
met don't much signify. Lord Harrington thinks
the landlords must be considered as well as
the tenants in any measure of reform. Mr.. Card
well thinks too. Lord Clarendon wants the ques-
ton taken out of politics. which means as The Spec
atOr well SAYS that Conservative and Liberal land
owners should vote together on the land. Small
hope they will not to the extent of their intelligence
when any question touching property is to he set
tied. But not any of these three gentlemen is
supposed to have any opinion of his own ON Irish
matters. they need not be discussed. The one i'm
pOrtant fact thus far is Mr. Gladstenes declaration
that land in Ireland not only to be dealt WITH but
to be dealt with merit.
A vacancy in the representation of Glasgow and
Aberdeen Universities (which together form one con-
sttuency, returning one member to Parliament), has
been made by the promotion of Mr.. Moncrieff Lord
Advocate of Scotland. to be Lord Justice Clerk, in
place of poor Mr. Patton, who first his throat and
then drowned himself for fear of disgrace sprngng
from the bribery investigation at Bridgewater. An
elector writes to The Star next day to nominate Mr.
Mill for the open seat, and The Star cordially APP
proves. This was yesterday, and one might have
hoped opening this mornings Liberal journals to
find chorus of joyful assent. Instead of which
there is blank silence-no word Of approval from
anyone. There two three reasons for this hes
itation.
1t must be owned, in the first place. that Mr.. Mill
was never popular with the party whips-with the
men who pull the wires, and who value an unques-
tioning vote than the ablest unfettered discus
sion. Mr. MILL it is needless to say,
always took the liberty to vote accord
ing to his own judgment, and not according to
the judgment of Mr.. George Glyn. When he was
beaten for Westminster there was if not exultation
in some high Liberal quarters at least very con-
spicuous absence of regret Even The Daily Neics
spoke of his defeat in tone painful to Mr. Mills
friends and not creditable to its judgment OF feel
ings.
But beyond Mr.. Mill independence there is an OBJ
lection, from the party point of view, little more
reasonable. The constituency is very close one
Mr. Moncrieff had majority of only Ga out of 4O67
votes the poll being, Moncrief, 2,O67 Gordon 1000
The Star urges that the objections which told against
Mr.. Mill IN popular constituency like Westminster
ought not to be felt in learned body. OF course
they ought not but there is only too much reason to
fear they would. Perhaps nothing hurt Mr.. Mill
more in Westminster. pious borough than his SUBJ
scrpion in support of the candidature of Bradaugh
whom people call an Atheist. OF course they called
Mill an atheist also, because his name was coupled
with Bradlanghs Now the constituency of Gas-
gov and Aberdeen Universities is mostly Scotch, and
the part Of it that is Liberal in politics is any
thing but Liberal in religion. The charge of Atheism
or of sympathy with Atheism would be at least as
damaging with them as it proved in Westminster
1t might probably be more than enough to turn the
scale where numbers are so closely balanced AS a
matter of party expediency his nomination would be
very doubtful. But the question is likely to be set
tied by Mr. Mills refusal to allow his name to be
used He has an aversion to reGntering Parliament
which will scarcely be overcome by proposal to go
through another difficult contest. The considera-
lions that he ought to be in Parliament. that his
work was of immense service while there, and now
that he is away there is nobody who will or can do it,
are very weighty, but they can hardly be decisive
with him until they pressed by Others. G. W.. S.