The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-20
The Land Bill.

The greatest measure for Irish relief since
the union is Mr.. Gladstone's land bill. 1t
may not satisfy the desire of the most radi-
cal Irish leaders, but it certainly outruns
their expectation. When the bill was intro
duced last spring few believed that it would
ever become a law. 1t was not entirely sat
isfactory to any of the political factions, and
decidedly Unsatisfactory to many. Shortly
after its introduction in the House of CON-
mons it was assailed on all sides. Amend
ments, reaching the number of two thous-
and, were offered by Liberals, by Conserva-
tives, by Home Rulers, by Radicals, by
Land Owners and Land Leaguers. That it
was able to crawl from under this enormous
load, and creep through the Commons and
trip through the Lords is due in some meas
ure to Mr.. Gladstone's parliamentary skill,
in more to the confidence reposed in his
Judgment and fair-mindedness, and most to
the feeling among the English people that
much must be done at once for the pacifca-
ton of Ireland. The land-bill has been
wrung from English necessity. Fortunately
the man now at the head of the English
government comprehended the magnitude
of the task and had the will and strength to
do it.
The amendments made to the bill as it
passed through the House of Lords are tri-
fling and do not materially affect the first
draft. The famous 'three F's," the ultima
tum of the more conservative Irish leaders,
fI1ll Acf 10 +l,o
may dispose of his tenancy on the best terms
he can make-subject, however, to the land
lords right to purchase in, and his right to
be recompensed for arrears of rent out of the
purchase money, and for improvements. 1t
is also provided that in case of the devise of
a tenancy, the devisee must be acce pied by
the landlord in place of the old tenant.
On the other hand, the tenant cannot sub
divide or sub-let. The Land Court, the ma
chinery of which is the most novel and i'm
what is fair rent; and the rent thus fixed,
the tenant holds the premises for fifteen
years, without the possibility of evic-
tion, SO long as he complies with the
statutory conditions as to punctual
payment, etc. The improvements made
by the tenant are not to be taken into the
account in decidingsthe value of the premises
upon which fair rent is based; and when an
application is made, and the landlord and ten
ant can agree upon an estimate of the value of
the premises, if the tenant desires to sell, the
landlord has the right to purchase at this
value, Where improvements have been made
and maintained by the landlord the court
may disallow the application to have the
rent fixed. The court may suspend pro-
ceedings against tenants, except in the case
of breaches of the statutory conditions of
leases held under the act, and in case of
notice to quit even for such a breach the
court may, if it thinks that pecuniary dam
ages will be an adequate satisfaction, stop
the eviction upon these terms. Existing
leases are to continue as if this act had not
passed, but at their expiration they become
subject to its provisions. The law also pro-
vides for the purchase of estates by the Land
Commission for sale to tenants, with ad-
vances to tenants to enable them to buy.
This bill certainly grants free sales, fixity
of tenure, and fair rents, and must prove
benefit to the Irish peasantry. 1t does MOTH
ing for Irish independence or autonomy
except to the extent that it relieves Irish
men from grievous burden Of uncertainty,
gives them a chance to get out of debt and
acquire legal interest in the soil that is
their own, and affords them opportunity to
compete on equal terms with otker land
owners. So much they have gained. Wheth-
industry, frugality and enterprise. They
now have fair though late start