The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-02-08

Opening of the British Par
lament.
THE QUEENS SPEECH TO
THE HOUSES.
Bradlsugh Again Refused the
Oath.
DISASTROUS EARTHQUAKE
IN CHINA.

LONDON. Feb 7.--Parliament reassembled
to-day. The Queens speech is as follows:
My Lords and Gentlemen.
1t is with much satisfaction that 1 again in
vite your advice and assistance in the conduct
of public affairs. have given my approval
to marriage between Prince Leopold and the
Princess Helena of Waldeck. l have every
reason to believe this will be happy union.
continue,n the relations of cordial harmo-
ny with all foreign powers. The treaty for the
cession of Thessaly to Greece has now been ex-
ecuted in the main provisions. The transfer
of the sovereignty and the occupation was
effected in a manner honorable to all con-
cerned.
In concert with the President of the French
Republic, have given careful attenton 10
the affairs in Egypt. Where the existing ar
engagements have imposed on me special obi
cations, shall use my influence to maintain
the rights already established, whether by fir
mans of the Sultan or by the various interna-
tional engagements, in spirit favorable to the
good government of the country and the pru-
dent development of its institutions.
have pleasure in informing you that the
restoration of peace beyond the Northwestern
frontier, together with the continuedilnternal
tranquility, plentifulness and increase OF reve-
nue. has enabled my government in India to
resume the works of public utility which had
been suspended and devote its attention to
measures for the further Improvement OF the
condition of the people.
The convention with the Transvaal has been
ratified by the Representative Assembly, and l
have seen no reason to qualify my anticipa
tions of its advantageous working. l have,
however, to regret that, although hostilities
have not been renewed in Basutoland, the
country still remains unsettled.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons-The
estimates for the service of the year are in an
advanced stage of preparation and will be
nromptly submitted to YOU.
Ny Lords and gentlemen-My negotiations
with France on the subject of a new CONNER
cial treaty have not been closed. Ihey Will Dc
prosecuted by me, as I have already acquaint-
ed you, with desire to conclude treaty fav-
orabe to the extended intercourse between the
two nations to whose close amity attach SO
great value.
The trade of the country, both domestic and
foreign, has for some time been improving, and
the mildness of the winter has been emlnently
suited to farming operations. Better prospects
are, trust thus opened for the classes imme-
diately concerned in agriculture The public
revenue, which is greatly, though not always
at once, affected by the state of industry and
commerce, has not yet exhibited an upward
movement in proportion to their increased ac-
tiyity The condition of Ireland at this time
as compared with that which described at the
beginning of last year shows signs OF improve
ment, and encourages the hope that perser-
verance in the course you have pursued Will
be rewarded with the happy results which are
SO much to be desired Justice has been ad-
ministered with great efficacy, and the lntiml-
dation which has been employed 10 deter occu-
piers of land from fulfilling their obligations
and from availing themselves OF the act OF last
session shows upon the whole diminished
force My efforts, through the bounty OF PROV
idence, have been favored by an abundant
harvest in that portion of the kingdom. In
addition to vigorous execution OF the pro-
visions of the ordinary law have not heslta-
ted under the painful necessity of the case to
employ largely the exceptional powers entrust-
ed 10 me for the protection of life and proper
ty by the two acts of last year.
You will be invited to deal with proposals Tor
the establishment in the English and Weleh
counties of local self-government which has
SO long been enjoyed by towns, together with
enlarged powers of administration and with
financial changes which will give you opportu-
nifty of considering both as to town and county
what may be the proper extent and most eqni-
table and provident form of contribution from
the imperial taxesHin relief of local charges.
These proposals, in so far as they are financial,
will apply to the whole OF Great Britain. N
will be necessary to reserve the case OF Ire
land for separate consideration. In connection
with the general subject of local administra-
ton have directed measure to be prepared
and submitted to you for the reform OF the an
Gent and distinguished corporation OF Lond on
and for the extension of the municipal gov
eminent to the metropolis at large. The bills
will again be laid before you with which, dur
ing the last session. Notwithstanding the
length of its duration and your unweaIied Ia
bors, it was found impossible to proceed. L
refer particularly to those concerning BANK
ruptcy, the repression of corrupt practices at
elections and the conservancy of rivers and the
prevention of floods. Measures Will also De
proposed to you with respect to the criminal
code and to the consolidation and amendment
of the laws affecting patents The interest OF
some portion of the kingdom have suffered Pc
culiarly of late years from the extreme press
ure of the public business on your time ana
strength, but trust that during the session
you may be able to consider the bills which
will be presented to you in relation to the law
of entail and educational endowments in scot
land and to improve the means OF education
in Wales. I commend these and other sub
iects with confidence to your care, and 1t is my
earnest prayer that your wisdom and energy
may, under the blessing OF God, prove equal
to the varied and increasing needs OF this eX-
tended empire.
The House of Commons was well attended,
but there was a sparse attendance In the House
of Lords. Bradlaugh was under the gallery OF
the House of CommaDs. The Queens speech
was read by Lord High Chancellor, Lord Sell
borne.
In the Commons after new members was
sworn in, Bradlough advanced to take the oath.
Northcote moved that he be not allowed to
swear.
Bra1laugh at the request of the speaker
withdgew, asking to be allowed hearing be-
fore the question was decided.
Sexton gave notice of bill to repeal the c.
ercion act.
In the House of Lerds in the debabate on
the address in reply to the Queens speech the
Marquis of Salisbury Conservative made a VI
olentatta on the Government Earl Gran
Vile, Foreign Secretary replied.
Northcot's motion that Rradlaugh be not al
lowed to swear was adopted, 2S6 against 227.
The speaker ordered Bradlaugh to withdraw.
Bradlaugh at first refused, but withdrew upon
a motion ordering him to do so, which Glad
stone said he would not oppose being agreed to-
The Anti-Semitic Movement in Russia.
LONDON, Feb T. At great meeting held
in Birmingham yesterday letters were read
from Mr.. John Bright and Mr.. Joseph l..
Chamberlain expressing sympathy with the
cause of the prosecuted Jews in Russia.
ST. PETERSBURG Feb. THE Government
is about to publish a statement which 1T is
hoped will put an end to foreign agitation con-
corning the treatment of the Jews. 1t will
show that the Government has promptly and
vigorously dealt with The ant-JewiSh move
ment and is disposed to take such precautions
as will prevent the recurrence OF the offences
complained OF.
Cuban Railroad Subvention.
MADRID, Feb. THE council of Ministers
has finally approved the plan for offering TO
public competition abont 600 miles of the pro-
posed Central Cuban Railway, Six months
after the close of the contract the railway
will get State subsidy of $4,000 per kilometre.
The Dalmatian Insurgents,
VIENNA, Feb. 7.-Recent skirminishes ap-
pear to indicate the intention of the insur-
gents to force their way across the DreVa so as
to escape being cut off from the Montenegrin
frontier by extensive Austrian reinforcements.
Moonlighters Committed for Trial.
Cork. Feb. IA magistrate after hearing
the testimony of informer Daniel Cornell,
committed Is moonlighters for trial. Three
were remanded and one discharged
Disastrous Earthquake in China.
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. From Chinese ex-
changes news is now received that July 10th
an earthquake occurred in the district OF Kan
chow. A large number of persons we're killed.
The earthquake was followed by rain storm
which inundated portion of the country and
drowned several persons.