The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-03-17

IRISH MAIL NEWS.
Dublin Nation, Feb. a3.

Dublin Nation. Feb. 90.
The week in Parliament has been rather
fertile in subjects of interest to Irish read
| ers. Mr.. Meldon brought forward in the
House of Commons on Tuesday night,
resolution in favor of the extension Of
household suffrage to the Irish boroughs,
and, after a debate, in the course Of which
Mr.. David Plunkett said he opposed the
suggested reform because the effect of it
would be to increase the number OF Home
Rule mem mbers, the representative of Kill
dare was defeated by only majority of
eight in q fair -bonse. 1t is disgusting to
find that on such an occasion no less than
twenty four Home Rule members were
absent from their posts. The following
day Mr.. Mccarthy brought forward his bill
for the reclamation of waste lands, and, of
course, was defeated. On this occasion
also more than twenty Home Rulers were
conspicuous by their absence from the post
of duty. For the rest, Mr. O'Donnell on
Wednesday delivered an able speech in
exposure of the state of things in the
Queen's Colleges, and especially in the
Queens College, Belfast and the Sunday
Closing Bill has been successfully obstruct
ed on two distinct occasions.
Mr.. James Lowther-or "Jimmy Low
ther," as he is familiarly known in the House
of Commons-is to be our Chief Secretary
in place of Sir M. H. Beach, removed to the
Colonial Office. Well qualified as Sir. NJ.
H. B each was to govern Irelsnd, he seems
to have been iCfiniteiy less fit for the post
than Jimmy" The latter, it appears,
knows nothing whatever of Irelrnd, aud is
not apt to learn. A few days age, on his
re- election for York, he mado a speech
dealing actively with foreign affairs, and
when asked what he had to say about Ire
land he merely replied that he disliked
"talking shop" His appointment, says the
Freeman may by certain section be taken
as graceful compliment. Mr.. Lowther
was, in the days when the Wings were
"in," the loading obstructionist in the
House Of Commons.
The reference to Poland in his recent
speech in the House of Commons on the
Eastern question has brought to A. M.
Sullivan q very gratifying expression of
thanks from the Polish exlles In England,
and ia reply, Mr.. Sullivan, "as one Of the
National representatives of Ireland" has
expressed once more his warm sympathy
with the cause of Poland's freedom. We
are proud to say that this is not the first
exchange of utterances of fIaternal esteem
that has taken place between Poles and
1risbmen, and we are confident it will not
be the last as long as either Poland or Ire
land ia enslaved.
The Dublin Corporation has added it's
voice to the call now raised by the Irish
municipal bodies for the release Of the
remaining political prisoners. At the
meeting of the Corporation on Saturday
last, Mr.. Dawson, a Catholic and q Home
Ruler, moved and Sir John Barington,
Protestant and a Tory. seconded, resolu-
ton in favor of an amnesty, and, after
come discussion, the resolution was adopt
ed without even the semblance of opposi-
ton. An analogous expression of opinion
in England on an English question would
be certainly effectual for Its object but
things are managed differently by the
British Government when it is the wishes
of Ireland that are concerned. To judge
from the accounts which we publish in
another column of the condition Of two OF
the prisoners, one thing is certain-they
must be Immediately released if they are
not to become insane.
Our readers will read with deep regret OF
| the death of Alderman PluDkett OF this
| city. For quarter of century at least
Alderman Plunkett was well known IN
Dubln ss u sterling Catholic and true
ard warm hearted Irishman. Every move
ment that promised to result in benefit to
hearty supporter. He was in the ranks OF
the Repeaiers, later on he was q member
| of the National League, and finally, when
the Home Government Association was
established, he lost no time in joining that
| organization also, remaining till his deatE
a true and steadfast friend of the Home
Rule cause. HIS remains were Inferred OF
Tuesday in the family burial ground a.
Talaght, and seldom has 80 large ant
representative funeral procession followed
those of O private citizen to the grave.