Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-14
Unhappy Ireland.

Nj. FORSTER, Chief secretary for Ireland has
stated officially in the House OF Commons,
that a large proportion of the tenants against
whom eviction proceedings had been taken
are able, but unwilling, to pay rent" Mr..
FoTster's statement Is not borne out by the
Information received from Ireland as to the
coLdition OF the tenants; but, suppose 1t to be
true, now can he justify the eviction proceed
flgs against that proportion of the tenants,
Wlom he Indirectly admits are unable to
Fay rent" The existence OF such widespread
ala ost universal dissatisfaction among the
Irish tenants is evidence enough that they
ind II hard to live under the present land
system. TDey have been driven to their
present resistance of the laws by conditions
so hard that they concluded they had as well
5tarve in'refusing to comply, as to starve In
submission 1t Is readily conceded that the
government must maintain Its authority,
but 1t Is expected that 1t will, at the same
time, recognize the suffering which exists.
Only few months ago, Americans seat
Thousands Of dollars to Ireland to feed the
peasantry starved by an unjust and oppres-
siye land system. The condition OF the
psople has not been much improved since
then. IL there are tenants who are able but
unwilling 10 pay, let them be compelled to
pay, but Ii is a fact universally known that
thousands are being evicted who cannot pay
rent. The desire Of Mr.. Gladstone to afford
the Irish tenantry permanent relief, and to
give them fair chance In life, has been
already manifested. He gave substantial
proof Of the honesty OF his purpose In the
formation and Introduction of the pending
land bill. The people on this side the Atlantic
recognize the merits OF that measure, and
appreciate the difficulties Of the government
IN lts efforts TO make 1t law; but, meantime,
let the suffering poor OF Ireland be dealt with
as lenienty as possible. The cold, Indifferent
assertion OF Mr.. Forster has sort OF Chilling
effect.
The New Hampshire legislature is. appa.
rently. determined to divide public attention
with that OF New York. a faction of republic N
members insist, IN spite OF the opinion OF the
supreme court, that this legislature has not
legal authority TO elect the L. S. Senator who
must take his seat on the 4th OF March, 1855.
The majority agree With the supreme court.
and have decided to proceed with the election.
The minority or non electionists threaten to
resist, and even hint at combination with the
democrats TO prevent present election. Mr.
VIM. E. Chandler, who is said to be a andidate
for U. s. Senator. is the leader of the non-elec-
tionists The next legislature will not be or
ganZed until June, 1888, three months after
the term of the Senator should begin. But the
non electtonistS base their action upon the pro-
vision OF the revised statutes that 1.-THE legis.
lature OF each state which is chosen next pre-
ceding the expiration OF the time for which any
Senator was elected 60 represent such state in
Congress shall, on the second Tuesday after
the meeting and organic alton thereof, proceed
to elect Senator In Congress" The next
legislature In New mpshire will be chosen
IN November, 1882 and the senatorial term of
Mr.. Rollins will expire on the 18th Of March
following. Hence IL Is maintained by the non-
electionist5 that the next legislature and not
the present one, will come under the head of
that one "caosen next preceding the expira-
ton Oh the term" Indications from New
Hampshire are that there Will be lively con-
test over this question.
ST Louis paper, which is a stalwart friend
ard supporter OF Gen. Grant, is indignant at
The report that the latter declined to talk Doll.
tics during his recent stay In that city. To
show that he talked freely On political matters,
this paper states that when asked why Mr..
Garfield began his administration by fighting
ConkliDg, Gen. Grant replied, "WeI, 1 supoose
he thought he had TO fight somebody, and l
have noticed that weak men always fight
friends, while strong men always fight enc
mics" II Gen. Grant will inquire OF his friend
ex-senator Conkling, he Will. probably. learn
that Gen. Garfield Is not so weak" as some
people have imagined. Mr.. Conkllng thought
he was striking the President at a weak place
when he made tilt against the appointment OF
Robertson. but he has f0und Out btl mi