New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-28
THE IRISH LAND QUESTION.
A TALK WITH THURLOw WEED.

A TALK WITH THURLOW WEED.
OBJECTS or THE PROPOSED NEW FMIGRATIoN BU-
REAU-MR. PARNELDs wORK-rHE DIFFICULT
TIES To DE SETTLED BY CUTTING UP THE LARGE
ESTATES.
The announcement made from Washington that
bin had been presented to Congress to incorporate
the Cosmo-American Colonization and General Emil
grafton Bureau of the United States led to consider
able comment yesterday in connection with the
Irish Land Question. TRIBUNE reporter called on
Thurlow Weed-who, with Cardinal McCloskey, is
included among the members of the organization
in quest OF further details of the objects and plans
of the Bureau.
1.-THE matter IL yet in such an indefinite shape"
said Mr. Weed, that very little can be said about
the scheme. IL is proposed however, to Lave land
grants made by the Government smaller than at
prescnt-4O acres instead of l60--so as to admit of
a wider distribution. An Irishman and his family
could live wol by industry and thrift on forty
of good land in the West"
"Wll the emigration from Ireland, induced by
the Bureau, contribute to q solution Of the land
question III that countryP
Not materially. There has already been a large
emigration from Ireland to the United States, but
tho population there is so dense that they have
scarcely been missed. The object Of the scheme is
to alleviate far as possible tho condition of fam
lies and individuals. ii II IS successful relief can
be afforded to only a very small percentage of the
inhabitants.
Il have reflected great dead on Irelands
troubles continued Mr.. Weed, and have watched
the present agitation with considerable interest. 1t
WAS with great hesitation that went to the meet
ing addressed by Mr. Parnel was afraid Of the
political phase of the subject which l thought
should be loft alone. But Mr. Parne stated the
case with great cearness aud fairness and has done
much 20 direct the public mind IN England 20
consideration of the question. ] SEQ by to-days
paper that Mr. Bright has taken decided ground
In advocating the possession OF tho iand
by the tenants. HIS plan IS practical one end en-
titled to favor The only permanent relief for Ire
land ia n change ia tho tenure of the land so that
instead of being held in the hands of few IL may
be distributed The great curse OF the present sys-
ten is that the masses labor Tor the benefit of the
few, who live IN luxury abroad. Permit the large
estates to be cut up into small freeholds, and the
question il settled: aud it cannot be done in any
other way"
But II has been urged as fatal defect in Mr..
Bnghts proposition that he stops short Of making
the sale OF land compulsory.'
such a measure will accomplish considerable.
ms Mr. Bright believes, IN strengthening public Opin
ion. which would IN time induce many OF the land
lords to sell. The only efficient remedy can see.
however, IL 10 change the system OF entail by which
the ownership OF large estates is retained IN the
hands @. individuals without the power Of selling.
Change the law OF entail and the hand would in time
become sub-tllvided by a natural process. We also
had a remnant Of the fcudal system IL our Con-
stitutiOn but II was rooted out But before
this was done we had an illustration
of the evils that exist Ireland to-day
IN the anti rent war IN Albany and kcnsseaer cOun-
ties These counties were gwen by or glnal
patents 10 the Rensselaer, family. The lands were
titled by tenants, who paid their ronts with 50
many bushels of gram and so many days' labor.
Through several generations the system worked
measureably well, rs far as any dissatisfaction on
the part Of the tenants was concerned, unhl the
death II General Stephen Van Rensselaer, who had
been indulRent landlord aud allowed many
of the tenants to got p v win in t ,eI
inherited the property. wero exactng in col
Letting he arrears of rent aud the tenants think
ing themselves unreasOnably pressed. held meet
ings and showed a spirit OF resistance. The civil
authorities not able 10 execute the Laws. and
IL became necessary 10 call ont the military. The
matter was finally adjusted by converting the
leases into freeholds purchased by the tenants. who
gave bonds and mortgages IN payment There was
no more trouble after the change was made.
you the difleierce between the two sys-
TENS IN Ireland itself. In travelling through Ire
land noted the great contrast between different
of the country. Some of The villages IN the
northern part reminded me Of thrifty New
England towns. The houses were brightly
painted and surrounded by beautiful gardens.
But tue southern portion the inhabitants live in
mud cabins In the lowest degree OF poverty. Cht-
dren and pigs are seen occupying the same apart
ments. The only hope the inmates have OF paying
the rent Is Ia fattening pig for The market re-
member one place called Court Macherry, on the
west coast of the island. The land 80 fertile.
and brought up such high state Of cultivation,
that ~ seemed Ike garden OF Eden. But the ln-
habtants were numerous that they reminded me
more of ants swarInlng out OF ant hills than OF any
thing else. as they swarmed from the doors
OF their cabins. l went TO q Roman Catholc
church one morning TO an early Mass, whittier the
tenants came by thousands. The large estate con-
sisted of thousands OF acres. There only three
buildings the entire area of the land-a mansion
occupied By the lady VINO owned the land. rather
dimlnutiYe Episcopal Church building aud The rec
tors residence adjoining. The tenants lived IN
matched huts. Hundreds of them, | was told
gathered sort OF grass growing IN the marshes TO
cook with their potatoes for the sake of the salt II
contains. The moral OF 1t all IS that 10000 crea-
lures scantily clothed and fed should not be COM
PEELED to labor for the benefit Of one person. The
lrishman is not lazy b. nature or habits. he Is
wiling to work at even an inadequate componsa-
ton"