Montgomery County sentinel., 1885-08-28
PARLIAMENT PROROGuED.

The English Parliament has at last been
prorogued and the eventful season is over
The Queens speech, as usual, was brief, but
II contains one or two points OF interest
notably the announcement that the dispute
on the Afghan question is making progress
towards satisfactory settlement and that
the necessary steps are being taken to place
the north western frontier of India in a condi.
ton of adequate defense, as we'll as quiet
bitof buncombe in the electioneering interest
of the Tories-namely. that she approves
the Irish Land-Purchase bill, the bill for the
better housing Of the poor of London, and
the appointment of the commission to In
quire into causes of the depression Of trade
all OF which the Tories propose to present
as Issues in the fall campaign.
The most notable feature of the session
which has just expired was the displace-
ment oI the Gladstone government, after 1t
had carried through such great measures as
the Land Act and the Franchise bill. Since
the Salisbury government has been in power,
however, II has not perfected any legislation,
nor materially changed the existing condl-
ton of things The improved relations be.
tween Russia and England had already been
effected by Mr.. Gladstone, and the Tories
have continued his policy. Egypt is no
better off than she was with the Liberals in
power. Irish relations have changed some-
what by the refusal OF the Tories TO renew
the Grimes act, but this was only part of
the political bargain by which they came
into power. In view of the impending elec-
tions the Tories did not dare to venture very
far with new measures. On the other hand,
they have 80 closely followed the Liberal
policy that there has been no material op-
position. The Marquis of Salisbury, in bis
recent speech al the London Mansion House,
very shrewdly said ON this point:
ave are reproached because In foreign
affairs we do not adopt n policy at once al.
verse 10 the predecessors whom we have
criticised. | accept such reproach not as
an attack, but Ms eulogy. | believe that
there is nothing more necessary for the prac.
tice OF English statesmen under our peculiar
Institutions. where from time TO time men
of different opinions have 10 succeed each
other IN the conduct of public affairs, than
that they should 80 far recognize the unity
Of the policy they have to administer, that
they should accept the pledges their pre-
decsssois have inaugurated, and by their
own trying 10 extract from ii all the advan.
tages " the country they govern, they may
avoid, above all things, that foreign nations
should conceive OF US that we are so eaten
up by party spirit that our policy eau never
be trusted To u safe stability, but will oscil.
late from side 10 side"
Concisely stated, this is as much MS tD say
that the existing political contingencies did
not warrant the Tories in venturing upon
new policies. and that reserve was more
judialoas than action. That period now has
passed aud we may look for an immediate
and very definite statement of issues and
one Of the most excited electioneering con.
tests through which Great Britain has ever
passed. growing out OF the fact that u mul.
titude Of new voters will take part in il
whose tendencies are not yet known. The
Tories have already staked out their posi-.
ton Ia considerable extent. In order 10
hold their recent alliance with the Par.
nellites and strengthen il they announce that
they will pass at once the Irish Land .Pur-
chase bill. They also throw a sop TO the
working men by proposing 10 pass a bill
for the better housing of the poor and To
remove the metropolitan prisons outside Of
the limits Of London 10 as 10 secure more
room for the erection OF dwellings for the
artisans. They also propose a spirited for.
eign policy, the strengthening of the EN-.
pire at home and abroad, peace IN Ireland
and security in India. the increase of the
navy, aud revival of the trade and indus.
tries az the country. This Is a glittering
and attractive programme.
The liberal issues have not yet been clearly
set forth. Some OF the leaders have proposed
measures OF n very radical character, among
them church tablishnient and the break.
ing up Of the land into peasant properties
by conferring power upon local governing
bodies 10 borrow and invest money These
propositions, however, come from the Rad.
cal wing OF the Liberals. IL Is more likely,
especially II Mr.. Gladstone should lead the
Liberals 10 their campaign, that their issues
will be reform In local government aud the |
removal Of certain restrictive laws which |