New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-01
LEADING TOPICS OF THE HOUR.


lBY CABLE THE TRIBUNEl
LONDON. Saturday, jan. 81. 1880.
The weeks political interest is divided between
che Liverpool election and the opening of Parlia-
ment Every preparation is being made to enhance
the interest and add to the spendor Of next Thurs
days ceremonies. The Queens appearance is due
to Lord Beaconsfeld's personal entreaties and is
intended to emphasize her known approval of the
Ministerial foreign policy. The Lord Chamberlain
is overwhelmed with applications for places in the
House of Lords. Besides the Queen. the Prince and
Princess of Wales, Prince Leopold, the Duke and
Duchess of Connaught, the Princess Beatrice. and
perhaps the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, now
in Paris, will be present at the ceremony The
Queen proceeds in state from Buckingham Palace to
Parliament but drives there direct by the Park
route having refused to pass through the Streets
membering her last unfriendly reception. She re-
mains in London one night and returns to Osborne
on Friday.
THE MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME.
The Queens Speech is expected to recommend sew
eral important measures Lord BeacoDsfeld desir-
ing to persuade the country that he is sincerely
riously expecting to pass them. The proposal to
abolish primogeniturc and to facilitate the sale of
lands with bill to permit life-tenants TO dispose of
their interest, will undoubtedly be brought forward,
relying on the Peers to reject the bills. Relief
measures arc to be promised to Ireland. The GRIM
inal code will receive a prominent place in the
Ministerial programme. An announcement is
pected that the British forces will retire
from Afghanistan after crushing military resistance
and recognizing some native ruler. but retaining
sufficient frontier. Sundry measures dealing with
English local government, are expected. including
County Boards, valuation. the metropolitan water
supply and perhaps a redistribution of the vacant
seats in the House Of Commons.
OBSTRUCTION THREATENED.
The Irish members threaten obstruction from the
stan: proclaiming their intention to oppose the
address in reply to the Queens speech. The Min
listers hope to counteract this by sympathetic decla-
rations. regarding the Irish distress accompanied
by promises of substantial relief. The Liberal lead
ers intimate that the Government must henceforth
fight obstruction without Liberal help.
CABINET COUNCIL
Although Lord Beaconsfeld is i'll with gout, he
attended the Cabinet Council to-day. Lord Sails
bury was absent; he is suffering from bronchitis
and is unable to leave Hatfield.
THE LIVERPOOL CONTEST.
The Liverpool election is appointed for next Fri
day, the Tories having hastened the day from alarm
at the improving chances of the Liber-
ais since Lord Ramsay secured the Irish
vote. Few Liberals believe it possible
to overcome the Tory majority. Many persons
object to Lord Ramsay's compromise with the Home
Rulers. Lady Ramsay. who is young and pretty, Is
energetically canvassng for her husband. The
Earl of Derby having authorized The statement that
he hopes for Lord Ramsay's success he is bitterly
attacked by the Tory organs.
THE SOUTHWARK VACANCY.
The Liberals expect to win the seat at Southwark
which has been rendered vacant by Mr.. Lockers
death.
THE LAND QUESTION
The land question: Irish and English, is daily
increasing in Importance 1t is understood that Mr..
Bright's colleagues accept substantially his scheme
TO aid tenants in purchasing farms by Treasury
loans The question is discussed in speeches. pamph-
lets, journals and books, including valuable
treatise b. Arthur Arnold" Free Land appeal.
GAMBETTA AND SIMON ON BAD TERMS.
A fresh quarrel has broken out between NJ. Gam
betta and NJ. Jules Simon. There will probably be
a coalition in the French Senate between lukewarm
Republicans and reactionary members President
Grevy and NJ. Ganbetta remain friends
MINISTER LOWELL EXPECTED SOON.
Minister Lowell is expected in fortnight. He
will present his letters and have an audience
with the Queen at Osborne He will then
return to Madrid and fetch bis wife, whose
health, after eight months severe Illness is daily
mending. She will probably be unable to bear the
London climate Mr.. Lowell intends to find
suitable seaside place for her. perhaps the Isle of
Wight. while he temporarily takes a house In
London himself Society is preparing to give Mr..
Lowell brilliant welcome. letter to-day from
an important country house says: Much eager
hess is expressed to know both Lowell and his
works. tom" Hughes is giving readings to
the guests from LowelPs poems. His diplomatic
colleagues will send congratulations The Ger
man Ambassador declares that he is most desirous
to give Mr.. Lowell friendly reception. thereby
carrying out the Emperor's and Prince Bismarcks
wellknown wish to cultivate good relations
with America, Macmillans announce new
edition of LowelPs poems in three volumes, with
the authors approva. and editorship.
GkowLs AT THE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.
Attacks continue in the press On the postal tele-
graph management. Numerous letters are published
SsnS' hr. Preece the postal electricians attempted