Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-09-02

The British Government has just passed
through an agitation which resulted in ma
terially changing the old feudal land system
in Ireland-a system which has resisted and
defied the progress which long since re-
formed the system in France, Germany,
Austria, Holland, Belgium and even in
Spain. 1t was great moral as well as eco
nomical victory for liberty, all the more re-
markable because the English people have
never been moved by any particular affection
Tor the Irish.
The fact that this boom was eXtorted from
the landed monopoly of England is an in
dication that English conservatism, or the
stand still policy, is no longer able to resist
the radical or progressive demands of the
age, and that one after another Of a series Of
reform measures may be expected to agitate
the public mind of England, and that even
tually they will be adopted. Fortunately
for the Liberal party in that country, they
have at the head of the Government there q
man of great power and ability, who has
the courage to lead wherever justice and
truth may demand. Mr.. Gladstone, how
ever, is now seventy-two years of age, and
the severe demands on his strength and
health during the last few years may not
permit him to push these reforms to sue
sessful accomplishment, but should he be
spared to his country, several measures of
reform may be considered as certain to be
proposed, and as certain to be carried by
the force and power of the ilustrious Min
lister.
One of the reforms is the revision of Par
liamentary laws by the removal of the power
of minority to control the majority. There
is no proceeding known in the English Par
lament as the arrest of debate by vote de-
manding the previous question. The mi
nority at present may by dilatory notions
and interminabe debate prevent the House
of Commons ever coming to a vote on the
passage of bill. In House of over six
hundred members il is possible for mi
nority to exhaust the time of a session, and
suspend all legislation and prevent vote.
Among the measures now pressed upon
public attention by the more radical part of
the people of the Kingdom is one looking to
the substantial abolition of the rule Of pri-
mogeniture and entail, and simpliflcation
and cheapening of the processes for the sale
and transfer Of land. At present under the
English law the cost makes transfer OF
land most oppressive. proceeding. This
reform will become more imperative as part
of the other and kindred measure which
cannot long be delayed, and that is bill
extending to England and Scotland the re-
forms in the land tenure recently enacted
for Ireland.
All of these measures are Of the most pro
gressive character They are naturally and
properly connected TO the extent that the
adoption of the one must prepare the way
for the Others
No part of these reform, however, will bC
accomplished without struggle such a.
England has not witnessed since the date o.
the reform bill in 1882. Should Mr.. Glad
stone have good health and strength he will
manage the reform on behalf of the people
without any doubt OF its success. But with
out him it may require time to develop the
statesman and the leader who will be able
to supply his place, either in point of ability
or in public confidence.