New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-09
TIE LIBERAL LAND BILL.


most critical inspection. 1t is not an out
growth of the Land Act of 1870. but an es-
sentialy new growth grounded on new prin-
ciples. The compensati0ns for improvements
aud disturbance provided by the earlier Act
have been enlarged and the Bright clanses are
extended so as to cmbOdy a more eomprehen-
sive system of State aid. These are old ideas
fully worked out under new conditions. That
which is essentially new in the Land bill Is
the means provided FOR arbitration respecting
the real grievances OF the tenants. Under the
present system they have no redress when
the rents are unfair; they have nothing like
fxity of tenure, and their tenant right Is only
recognized in cases of eaprielous eviction.
Under the new bill local courts with an
appellate Land Commission will he empowered
10 intervene in every contested case and de
eide what will be fur rent for fifteen years
and whenever the tenant wishes to give mp
his holding or the landlord to make diffcrcn
arrangements, the same tribunals will regulate
and adjust conflicting claims in regard to
tenant right Recourse to these eonrts u, M
Mr.. Gladstone says. Optional, not compul-
sorry so that the WAY IA not opened arbI-
trari!y for an equitable adjustment OF
the complex question of lasd tenure. Yet the
means of arbitration and redress are none the
less efiectua, for every teBant on the island
can appeal TO thee courts 20 MIX" a Teyal-
uation OF his holding. to give ham 4hscln'"
security for fifteen years aud to project what
CEASES to be fictitious aud lecomes Il real kind
OF property-@iis tenant hight. THIS II the
vitalizing idea of the new bill.
Mr.. Gladsione's speech fully confirms tho I'M
pressions made by the outline OF the measure
which WAS telegraphed IN advance Of It's pro
seutstion in the Commons. Two Of the
"Three rs are virtually conceded. with the
single reservation that rents which may be-
adiudged ~ reasonable by the courts shall br
subject to rcvaluaiicD at the end OF Gf'ecn
years. The third f. l. recognized il principle
and carefully regulated In practise. The three
great classes OF wrongs which the Land
League has made the basis OF agitation are tho
grounds OF remedial artion. The grievances
of the tenants are iakeh MP in a most gen
erous spirit and systematically redre~sed. The
gu Elementary clauses under The head Of State
aid are - liberal rs. those regulating the re-
lations Of landlord aud tenant. By the
Bright clauses special facilities were given
to tenants for the purchase Of holdings
whenever property was sold in the Landed
Estates Court. the Board of Works being emf
powered To advance To purchaser a stin not
in excess of two-thirds of the value OF tho
holding. Under the new act the advance l.
not to exceed thrce-quaricrs Of the principal,
the period of repayment remaining the came
as beiore--thiry years. Facilities for &C
curing land art multiplied and legal expenses
are avoided 10y means Of Parliamentary titles
Advances are authorized not only To tenants
but TO owners aud companies who may s,ck
to reclaim or improve waste lands. AMI cmi-
grafton is also promoted nv tie same means.
under the direction of the Land Commission.
The Land bill is neither a makeshft nor a
compromise. bat a thorough and progressive
measure. If supplemented by a scheme Tor
the election Of Comfy Boards by the ballot
and popular suffrage II will leave Home
Rulers aud Land -Leaguers without n sn-lc
working issue in political and agrlrian ag,ta-
ton. Concession takes from Coercion its sting
and reproach. The Liberals, under the
Premicr's guidance, prove once more TO be-
the most sincere and intelligent friends and
champions which the miseoverned aud impov-
erished island has on the face of the earth
Will SO wise and practical n measure be al
lowed TO fail Not ia the Commons. we are
very confident. In the Lords it will encounter
the resistance Of class prciudice-even from
Liberals, as the resignation Of the Duke of
Argyll proves; and that class prejudice will
be all the more aggressive and uncOm-
promising from the fact that Irish land reform
implies English land reform. But he has
studied English history to little purpose who
has not learned that III every grave crisis the
landed arisiOcracy have remarkable discern
ment. They resist new tendencies, but have
keen foresight in accepting what Is inevitable