New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-09-11
NOTES IN PARLIAMENT.
TIE regulations OF THE SESSION.


comes to an end to take stock of the proceedings
and of Parliamentary regulations A very brief
survey will perhaps suffice this occasion Little
need be added to Mr. Glalstone's comprehensive ac-
count of IL session of ruin and discontinue
say that 1T has been Irish session is once more
the melancholy duty of the chronicer OF late
Egypt has diverted attention from Ireland but only
ut times If you strike from the record of the de-
bates and votes since last February all that has
been SAID and done touching Ireland, the remainder
is of slight account routine and Indispensable busl-
ness excepted such as the voting of money In this
last, also, Ireland has her share. The lrisaman's
hatred of the Saxon does not make him in the least
reluctant TO get what he can out of the Imperial
Treasury. His greatest triumph this year the
Act by which certain portion of the debts of GER
tain classes Of Irish are to be cleared Oby hehep of
the British taxpayer-thc so-called Arrears Act. His
greatest defeat and misfortune is the Act for the
Prevention of Crime.
But instead of going over all this too familiar
field, let MS have IA glance at the men who have been
most conspicuous in it. There is always an inter
est in knowing how the leaders and celebrities
and notoretes of Parliament have Jared during n
session, and how they stand at the end of IT,
A matter of politeness, one may begin
with the Lords. Besides. they will not take
long toi dispose of. Lord Salisbury first OF course
for though he is only leader of the Opposition, and
not of her MaJestys Government nor likely to be
for a good while 10 comet he is among men OF his
own generation by far the most brilliant and at
tractive individuality in the House of Lords lie
is also the man to whom the Liberals have most
cause to be grateful who though not Minister,
has vet done most service to the Ministry. Ii
has become almost commonplace to say that one
strong reason with the constituencies for keeping
Sir. Gladstone in power is dread of Lord Salisbury
as his successor. Well, that dread is certainly
stronger than ever. The late CRISIS on the Arrears
bill has left n deep impression on the country;
probably a lasting one. On the Tory party
itself the impression is hardly less deep. Every
Tory member of the House of Commons knows that
if Lord Salisbury had been allowed his way they
would be spending their HOLIDAYS in preparing for
general election next autumn. As that means to
each one of them the loss of his shooting, his trip
to the Continent or his round of visits in the coun
try OF his yachting he has come to look Oh Lord
Salisbury as too much of King Stork and not
enough of a King Log This latter sort of king is
the ideal king to a true Tory. and he begins to Sus-
pect that his present leader will realize that
beautiful ideal. Nor does he quite understand how
so proud man should continue to lead party
which has distn. fly refused to follow him.
Lord Granville, who leads for the Government in
the Upper House. has not lost ground like Lord
Salisbury but neither has he gained. The position
of a Liberal leader in the House of Lords can never
be really hat of leader. lie is leader on suffer
ance. He has Il permanent majority against him.
If the House was ever full, which II never Is, the
Conservatives would outnumber tho Liberals by
three to one. On a great occasion the Tories tic-
quenty muster twice many as their opponents.
Every Liberal measure is subject to the Lords
veto if the Lords think fit to use their power The
-
fore n delicate business in hand. Lord Granville
is perhaps as good man for such a post as
could be found He is popular, cOnciliatory
dcxterous in avoiding the appearance OF using
authority. A match for Lord Salisbury in debate
he certainly is not. The Duke Of Argyll Is much
stronger man in speech than Lord Granville, but
the DIXIE of Arryl is no longer in the Ministry,
and if he we're his defects of manner and temper
would unfit him for the post. 1t is rs dlplomatlSt
that Lord Granville has been thought to shine
But II cannot be said that his conduct of the
EGYPTIAN business has added to his reputation as
diplomatist.
Among the colleagues of these two leaders
nobody has gained lost very much
in reputation since last February. Lord Cairns
probably contemplatcs tho work Of the session
with more satisfaction than body else. because
it has diminished his successful rivals authority
Lord Cairns is a lawyer, and knows the value OF a
precedent aud regards the disaster which beiei
Lord salisbury the Arrears bill as but the pre-
lude TO other disasters eliminating finally in his
overthrow Lord Cranbrook has made one or two
of his plausible and passionate speeches, signify
ing neither more nor less than usual. OF the Lib
cral front bench il is difficult say anything what
ever Neither Lord Carngtord nor Lord Kmber-
lev is likely TO do acts or make speeches of an cxct
ing character Useful and capable men both of
them, but not open to the reproach OF brilliancy.
Lord Carngford had charge Of the Arrears
bill Lord Kimberley has restored Cetcwayo
TO his kingdom. Perhaps the role OF kIngnaker Is
one that Lord Beacon>fcd would have envicd HIM.
for of Lord Beacousfcd it was once said that he
never really knew the sweetness OF power till he
had made Duke Whether south African King
or an English Duke of yesterday be the greater
parsonage is an open question.
In the House of Commons Mr.. GladsOne's as
cendancy has withstood the treachery of friends
and tie attacks of foes, and he remains as before,
the one commanding personality amid crowd OF
able colleagues, and subordnates, and supporters.
There have been moments when. beyond question,
his authority was diminished both in the House
and in the country. The Kilmainham compact inn
paired it, What looked like breakdown
of tho Land Act disturbed mems confidence in his
scheme OF remedial legislation for Ireland. The UNI
toward course of events in Egypt the diplomatic fail
ures the delay in bombardlng tie Alexandra forts,
the failure to have troops in readiness for an mme-
diate landing were all charged. justly or unjustly,
to Mr. Gladstones account. No man is wholly mas
ter of events and il Sr Gladstonos misfortune to
see too many rocks ahead and perhaps to give other
people credit for being actuaied by motives not less
scrupulous than his own. But he is none the less
to-day the admiration of the House. the idol OF his
party, and the hope Of the country.
All leaders make Mistakes the successful leader
is he who retrieves them. Mr.. Gladstone atoncd
for the release of Mr. Panell and his alliance with