Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-07-04

Our European Letter.
LONDON, Eng, June IS, 'S9

LONDON, Eng, June 10, 10.
The business of the House has made
little progress. except the corrupt practices
bill, which has been cleverly and patiently
conducted by the attorney general past
the most knotty points. The withdrawal
of the criminal code hill, due to systematic
obstruction in the grand committee, is a
success over which the confessed obstruct-
ives like Lord Randolph Churchill openly
exult. Predictions of the break down Of
the committee system abound, and it is
understood that Mr.. Parnell regards the
committees as furnishing more favorable
field for obstructive tactics than the House
ITSELF but the ministers are not in the least
inclined to abandon them. Mr.. Chamber
lain is confident that he can carry both the
bankruptcy and patent bills through COM
mittee in reasonable time.
The bill for making marriage with
deceased wife's sister legal. passed the
second reading in the House of Lords on
Monday night by the close majority OF
seven. The subject of the bill has been a
bone of contention for many year. chiefly
with the clergy. 1t seems strange why
the clerical opponents to the measure
should be so force. One of the most
potent arguments Of those who oppose the
bill was that it would tempt husbands to
be unfaithful, and what was worse would
in some cases induce them to treat their
wives badly, and even to take their lives
that they might marry more youthful or
attractive sister. The clergy, If they
understood real life little better, would
know that man whose evil passions
induced him to desert his wife in favor of
her sister would not be controlled by law.
Such men make laws of their own, or
rather they ignore all laws to crafty base
desires. Even upon degree of affinity the
present laws cannot be defended. The
channel tunnel is meeting with the deter
mined opposition in high quarters. The
duke of Cambridge has given a most
decided opinion against it. The dukes
sometimes quizzed for certain peculiarities,
and for his dislike to reviewing troops in
a thunder shower; but, when it comes to
practical subjects of Importance to the
nation, the duke is, in popular phrase, "all
there"
The reasons, aAong others set forth by
the duke, are chat he considered that there
would have to be a general reorganization
of the army, including the reserves, in the
event of this tunnel being sanctioned and
because, as they stood now, they
would not be able to meet the dangers
which he thought would exist. He based
his objection to the tunnel entirely on
military grounds, and he considered it
would be new element of danger to the
safety and security of this country. 1t
would he possible for France to send an
army to invade this country without our
being previously appraised of it. The close
Of the trial of the prisoners concerned in
The dynamite conspiracy has resulted in
he conviction and sentence to penal
'ervitude for life of the four chief offenders.
The feeling in Ireland is still far from
as may be seen by the letter
If Mr.. Field, who it will be remembered,
vas nearly killed for the simple crime of
,beyng the law and taking his seat in the
ury box. Mr.. Field says he will be COM
,ellcd to sacrifice everything and to give
Up his business and come to England, for
lot only his own life is in danger, but
he people employed by him are exposed
o constant insult and menace. Mr..
difference with Mr.. Bishop.
he eminent American thought reader, has
ssumed large dimensions. and occupies
10 small share of public attention. MIR.
.abouchere has not paid over this thous-
md pounds to charity, and is not likely to
10 so, but devotes a large proportion of
he pages of Truth to calling his opponent
l knave, and abusing him and everybody
Who sustained him at st. James Hall. He
makes out good case, but the strong
porting instinct of the public leads it to
'egard the wager as lost technically and
otherwise; and it sympathizes with the
American The completion of Mr.. John
3right's 25th year as member of parlia
nent for Birmingham has been celebrated
n that town this week by a series of
public gatherings and rejoicipgs. The
incident in these proceedings
was great demonstration held on We'd
1esday night in Bingley.han, presided
over by Mr.. Geo. Dixon, and attended by
Mr.. Chamberlin, M. p, several other
nemb ers of parliament, and upwards of
10000 persons, appropriate addresses to
Mr.. Bright were presented at his demon
'traton from the Birmingham liberal
and 100 other societies through
,ut the country. The right hon. also
eceived us a token of gratitude and re.
'pect from political admirers. splendid
silver dessert service, together with a
portrait of himself by Mr.. Hall.
AUGUST.