Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-08-15

THE REVOLT OF TIE LORDS,

Contrary to all expectation the House of
Lords has refused to reconsider its amend
ments to the land bill, and has thrown the
whole question into a deadlock by its
persistent attitude. TIE Government is,
of course, greatly embarrassed by this
turn of things. Nothing is left but a
conference, and it is already apparent
that little or nothing is anticipated from
this recource. KIr. Gladstone neither
can nor will make any further con-
cessiona to the Peers. He has majority
in the Commons which not only justifes
him in insisting upon the passage of the
bill by the Lords. but which forbids him
TO draw back. Nevertheless If the Lords
will not listen to reasoDthe Government
will be defeated, and under the circum-
stances it must resign or dissolve Parlia.
ment and throw itsel; UPON the country
1t is difficult t, see how a dissolution
would help matters, however, for Gov.
eminent has already a solid majority OF q
hundred, and it would seem scarcely
possible to convince the Lords that the
country is against them if this showing
has no force with them. Their att
tude, in fact, is calculated to bring into
greater prominence than ever the latent
dangers and embarrassments which are in.
separable from an hereditary chamber,
practically independence popular approval,
and possessing powers which enable it, as
IN this case, TO thwart the popular will as
expressed in an overwhelming party ma.
iority in the House OF Commons. 1t is
further obvious that the forcing of this
danger upon public attention ut a time
when the House of Lords has lost almost
ali its hold upon the people, is calculated
TO have far larger results than the refrac-
tory peers seem to realize. Unless, indeed,
Lord Salisbury and his colleagues have
decided that they may as well fight out
the inevitable Gghs for their existence
here and now, and unless in pursuance of
such resolution they have determined
upon prscipitating the conflict before their
antagonists are prepared for it, their pres
ent course is inexpIicable. 1t is clear that
they can defeat the land bill fot the time
being, but it is impossible TO admit that
from their standpoint the game can be
worth the candle. The more conservative
Lords have already perceived the dangers
of the Salisbury programme and have de.
clined to acquiesce in it, but the
Tory instincts of the upper House
are so pronounced that Lord Sails.
bury has apparently experienced little
difficulty in obtaining bis way, and the
outlook is ominous. Ii the proposed con.
ference between the houses fails to produce
any common ground, there can be no doubt
that there win lie great excitement
throughout the country, and that the posi-
ton of the Lords will be unpopular. Mr..
Gladstone has already caused it to be in
timated that the result Of the present de-
feat of the land bill must be the bringing
forward of a still more radical measure. and
the taking of steps forthwith to abolish
the remaining boroughs which gives
political influence to the peers in different
parts of the country. Thus he proposes
to meet the defiance Of the Lords by strik-
ing directly at the sources Of their power,
and it is evident that the further resist
ance of the Lords must rouse temper
in the people which would give the
Premier all the aid he needed in carrying
out these threatened changes. The contest
to which the Marquis Of Salisbury has IN
vited the House of Commons is in fact an
unequal one, and there never has been
period when it could no. have been en-.
tered upon with less danger than now.