New-York tribune., 1884-02-16
MB. JINES BRYCE on AMERICA IND ENG
LAND
From me Pal uoU Cn-el,,

From The PaH Mall Ca-er>
During bis rercnt tour across the continent Mr..
various phases of American life and the result is
that he has come home greater believer than eyer
IN the destinies Of tho United states. His cOuii-
dence in the political future of the great democratic
experiment in tbot New World is confirmed. Ameri-
can politics, he thinks are becoming purer and the
Republic is getting rid of many of the abuses and
much of the corruption which prevailed in former
wears. he passing of the Civil Service Reform bill
was a terrible blow 10 the pessimsts.V OF COM
munlstc agitation. such Mr.. George is promoting
IN this country he found trace in America. How
can we be communists say the Americans. In this
country every one has something to lose Farmers
own their telds artisans their houses. lt IL n
standing puzzle on the other side of the water how
Mr. George can command 50 much attention in Eng
sand tor that prophet Is scarcely known in his own
country.
The chief element of danger which Mr. Bryce
noticed III the social development of America was
the growth of abnornally largo fortunes and the
excessive luxury resulting therefrom. This how
ever was confined to few of the lai re cities and
the mass OF the Americans live in the country.
Another evil, somewhat related to the last the
excessive power of the great corporations; some
states are run by the railways instead of the rail-
waysrunning for the benefit ofthe States "You must
90 to America" said Mr. Bryce, ito understand the
strength OF the anti-monopOlist feeling" The feel
ing In favor Of limiting the powers of railway and
other great corporal ms is growing and likely to
grow, but Mr.. ! y is not as sanguine az Mr..
George as to tht P llty Of mending matters by
placing the maAIg mt of all railways in the
hands of the Government. The enormous patrona ge
thereby created would be too great for anv CoveT1
ment 10 bear. Before dreaming Of any such gigan-
tic experiment il would be better TO see how far
Clvil Service Reform can be made a reality. Mr.
Bryce expresses strong dissent from the common
place English condemnation of American news
papers While il il quite true that no American
newspaper wields the influence possessed by the
great London dailies. that is due rather 10 the
enormous distances which separated the centres of
population than 70 any lack of ability Ou the part
of their conductors. There is no doubt strong
vein OF tiippanCy IN many of them. but there Is
also great deal Of talent. while the weekly edi-
tiOns of the bes, New-lOIk and Boston papers con-
tam larger mass of valuable and readable matter
than any other journals IN the world.
There lsOue thing said Mr.. Bryce in concluding
a very pleasant conversation. that is borne in
upon the mind more and more every time ! leave
England and return 10 II, aud that is the striking
contrast between the great and imposing figure
which England makes abroad and the paral ysis
which to affct her in dealing with her diti-
cultcs at home. All over the world wherever you
20. you never escape the all-peTvadug presence of
the energy OF England. Europeans feel for her An
But ut home side bv side with "a GEN
eral aud gratifying improvement III the social
and material condition of the masses of the people.
there exist still uncured the fOulest sores ON the
body polite. Here, for instance Is the housing of
the poor in the sums of our great towns. Almost as
bad - the condition of the peaSantTy the West of
Ireland and IN some of the Scottish islands. An
other scandal, although of different kind. Is the
anomalous constitution of representative Chamber
which gives Liverpool fewer members than couple
of decay ing villages IN the South OF England. and
which II may cost more than one general election
to remove. But perhaps the most pulling. the
most uexplicabc Of all is the strange acquesccnce
of the House OF Commons IN It's own impotence
Probably there never was Legislative Assembly in
which there was sO much work waiting 10 be done
and so many strong and capable men anxious to dO
quacty of the least important of ITS members. The
machine wants 10 he screwed up all round.