New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-01
Mp GL4nSrONE,S MEASrRE

with that hight and breadth of mind which
bring to the mastery Of the widest range OF
details moral comprehension not usual among
English statesmen, Mr.. Gladstone has explained
his Land bill. On the whole he imDresses us
that his remedy is conscientious elaborate, ana
in a remarkable manner business-like, to say
nothing else. Cur first glance at his speech
and biz satisfies us as to the essen
tIal quality of his measure, and It's es-
sential point of difference from the demand OF
a large portion of the Irish people. Security
of tenure is not what those who camor Tor
fXity of tenare desire, and it is their dlsap-
pointment which constitutes the head and front
of the present increasing unDOpuarity OF the
Land bill in Iceland. No one, however, can
appreciate the best features of the bill without
seeing for what practical and peaceful and
earnest end the Ieish COmmOners gave to the
Premier their unanimous support.
AS understood by Mr.. Gladstone, peTpetuity
or fxity of tenure means that every oecu-
"pier, as long as he pays the rent that he Is
now paying, or a rent to be fixed by a pub
" lie tribunal of valuation, is to be assured,
" for himself and his heirs, an occupation OF
" the land that he holds without limit of time
Subject only to this condition, that with
" variation in the value OF pr0duce-somewhat
" in the nature of the Communication OF 1.-THE
" Act-the rent may vary somewhat signify
"and at somewhat different periods But the
effect of this system of tenure IS in the opln-
ion of Ny Gladstone, to make the landlord
pensioner and rent-charger upon his own
estate To such q condition Parliament may
reduce him. but not without compensation for
his loss-and how is he to be paid Is not
q landlord entitled to something more
than to apply on a certain day for
his rents Has lie no interests and
no duties with regard to the
land? The Premier fears to attempt such a
social revolution as while roofing the tenant in
the SOIL would absove the landlord from his
duties, and add to the class of moneyed lOun-
gers. In word, Mr. GladstOne's argument is
that ordained perpetuity of tenure is oppress-
i've to that freedom of contract which is the
life of property. viii he prove in time as
willing to declare against the perpetuity OF
prmogeniture ?-aganst that tixity of tenure
which all lords enjoy, as readily as against the
small perpetuity which the poor Irish tenant
asks IN the name of wrongs as deeply rooted in
the soil as are his rights?i
We trust that Mr.. Gladstone, and the great
party who think with him, are prepared TO
face this prospective consistency But can
they not assure to Ireland some system of
long and wel-guaranteed leases, backed by
the more general help of Government, both as
lender of money and a purchaser of prop
erty for those tenants who wish to buy
Mr.. Gladstone seems to admit thas his bill is
not exhaustive, inasmuch as he says: For
" the present we cast aside perpetuity Of tenure
"as being remedy that we are not prepared
to entertain or propose" This sentence e3ito-
mics all criticism of the Premier's speech -
it marks alike the merits and defects Of his
measure. Perpetuity of tenure cannot be, ac-
cording to this last utteranee, impossible, or in
every shape unjust and while the Premier al
most in so many words announces a shortcOm-
ing, he does not debar q hope.