New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-05

toSnox Fab lQ-Iondon has seldom had so much
given il to daest within single week during the
last four days of this week. After Mr.. Gladstones
Land Bill followed on the same evening MT Caru-
wells scheme-a very modest scheme-ot army no
form. On Thursday came Mr.. Forsters Education
Bill Last night had the Lord Chancellor
measure for recognizing the Judicial System of En-
GLAND And running through each day, the Nor
daunt divorce case, involving even the Prince OF
Wales in fs scandaious revelations has gutted the
annette Of those who fo1nd the great measures OF
legislation not pauant enough for theaf taste
Mr. Fsrsters biz has justified the confidence OF the
prediction he ventured IN his BRADFORD speeeh'
While everybody else wassaylng IL was linposSiDio
to frame measure which should he at the same
,i,o .a9ciant and generally acceptable MI. Forster
.yas moldne his bHl into shape. convincing his col
leagues and preparing what proves TO DE at once
surprise and a success. HIS speech was cheered on
the Tory side Of the House heartily as on the LIB
eral His bin has satisfied both the Manchester
Unien and the Birmingham League; the Union re-
presenting the clerical party and the League being
composed of who insist that good secular edu-
cation shall not be denied to children whose parents
do no. choose to accept what is called religious in
structson. When say that the League is satisfied
don't rean that il approves every detail of MI Fors-
ters measure. Parts of it open to very serious
4crihoisu. But their satisfaction springs from the
fact that the measure as q whole is more radical
than anybody expeeSed. II adopts fer instance. the
compulsory principle though ii applies 1T very I'M
perfectly 1t adopts the principle of secular lpsfnc-
ton, though the machinery for protecting parents
from the despOtsm of the country parsons Will not
protect them completely. Mr. Forster says his
measure is not q compromise, yet be has contrlVed
to the support of two parties who have little
an The truth is, one of them IS grateful TO
him for not doing more the other is grateful that he
has aov he 81 Of
ForsteF's character more clearly shown. He thor
onghly understands the English love for practical
legislation and his BILL whether it be compromise
or not, recalls the well-known passage OF Macauay
on the liberation Act. The principles which have
guided Mr. Forster nay almost be stated in Macau-
laws words: ITO think nothing of symmetry and
much OF convenience; never to remove an anomaly
merely because it is anomaly; never to innoyate
except when grievance is felt; never to innO-
vate except so tar as to get rid of the grievance;
never to lay down any proposition of wider extent
than the particular case for which it is necessary TO
provide
The bill is in substance. effort to keep all that
is good in the existing system, and 10 supply It's
deficiencies We want to England with schools,
sald Mr. Forster and when we have done that to in
sure their being attended. The kingdom is first
divided into districts and an inquiry is to be made
In each district bow far it is already furnished with
IL
its own needs II it fails then the Government steps
in, requiring each district to choose school board,
rates to be levied for the support of schools and the
board either TO aid the schools existing or to estab
lish new Oges Then if parents keep their children
away. the board may fine each five shilllngs.
Religious instruction is to he given, but the con-
science clause is enlarged, and vigorously ap
piled No child BE- required to be present during
the religious exercises, provided his parent hles a
written objection on the ground of religious belief.
A complete summary of the bill is sent with this
letter; bat the above Will make its weak points in
telligible The school board is TO be chosen for in
stance by tie vestres, who VIGOROUSLY too often
ignorant and selfish Mr.. Forster admits it; but
hopes they will rise to their duties. The board so
chosen may establish UNCONVENTIONAL schools; which
is 10 invite in every district bitter struggle on
ecclesiastical grounds. As to the conscience clause,
II may be impTactica5le at this moment TO enact
q secular system The Tories say to
"beathenile" the education of England. 1t Is
certain that an attempt in that direction
would have aroused a desperate opposition IN
quarters which now yield more or less cordial
support TO the But 1t re also certain that
under any possible concurrent clause the clergy Of
the Church of England will retain great portion OF
their present control over education and use 1t,
wont say unscrupulousy, but with the same unhesi-
tating zeal as now, and the same exclusive devotion
10 their Church. The country clergyman and the
country squire are the two magnates of every En-
gsh village The squire is commonly as much Of a
churchman as the rector himself. II is asking
great deal of poor laborer, largely dependent for
his living on the good will of both, to ask him 70
offend both by written declaration that he does not
want his child taught the church catechism. Nor
can 2 SYSTEM of cOmpulsiOn be thought effective
when it is left to local boards to put il in operation,
and when the maximum penalty that can be inflicted
on tie parent amounts TO five shillings.
All these are defects capable of amendment. If the
bill should pass with them all. it would still be a
great measure, and immense advance on the sys-
ten, system that exists to-day. If 1t did
nothing more than recognize the principle Of the
responsibility and duty of the State in the matter
Of education it would deserve very high praise IN
deed. Nothing is so difficult in England as to get
principle Of any kind recognized Mr.. Forster knows
the House too well press the principle lie secured
its adhesion by dwelling the practical needs Of
the country and the practical benefits which his bill
profnlsts HIS speech was exceedingly able. Ger
taiply no member Of the Cabinet could have dealt
30 thoroughly with this particular question. Sir
Jobln Pakington very justly said-and considering
that Sir John is leading Conservative it was hand
somey said-that the striking defect Of the bill was
that it did not create Ministry of Education TO
work the great measure il proposed That is GER
tainy TO come, and as certainly Mr. Forster will be
the Minister.
While the Liberal ard Conservative journals of
IrelEld SEEM on the whole. well satisfied with Mr.
Glaktones Land bill, the National organs are loud
in thr expressions of dissent The Nation discusses
Il urler the title "Tinkering," denounces il IA a
"fesial landlords bill warns Irish members that