Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-04-21
from the Belfast (Nlo,) Republican journal.
Home Rule for ireland.


week was Gladstone's announcement in
the British Parliament of his measure
for giving Ireland home rule. The
speech in which the venerable Premier
presented his views was cabled in full
to the daily papers on this side of the
Atlantic, and is certainly a mastery
effort. Mr.. Gladstone was enthusiasts
tically received and at the close Of his
speech, which occupied three hours and
twenty-five minutes in delivery, was
heartily checred for several minutes.
His preoration was remarkable for its
fervid eloqueuce. The Portland Adj
vertiser reduces Mr.. Gladstone's Irish
bill to eight principal proposition as
follows
/. An Irish Parliament composed
of two orders sitting together but vot-
ing separately On occasion or on de-
mand of either body. The first order
to consist of 1903 members and to be
composed Of the 2S Irish peers now in
the House of Lords, together with 70
representatives elected by the Irish
people the peers to sit for life at OPP
ton, and the others to have terms Of
ten years. The second order to consist
of 206 members, and to be composed
of the l0l Irish members sitting in the
House of Commons, with 100 to be
elected. The duration Of the body not
to exceed five years Irish represent
atives to sit no longer in the British
Parliament, but to have the right of
addressing the crown.
=. A viceroy appointed by the
crown, enjoying prerogatives delegated
by the crown, and undisturbed in ten
ure by party charges.
3. Judges to be appointed by the
Irish government, paid out OF the
Irish fluids, and removable on JOINT
address Of the two orders.
A. The constabulary to remain at
present under the British pay and Brit
ISL authority.
). The civil service to be trans
ferred to the control of the Irish lcgls-
laturc.
G. The imperial government to re-
tain control over customs duties, ana
excise duties connected herewith, the
defences, the coinage and foreign rela-
tons but the general power OF taxa
ton over and above these particular
duties to be given to the domestic leg
islature and the customs to be used
for Ireland's benefit.
7. Ireland TO pay a proportion OF
one-fiiteenth of the imperial expcndl-
lures.
s. Religious disabilities to be re-
moved and no particular church to be
established or endowed.
The measure is open to suggestions,
which no doubt will be forthcoming,
and the land question is to be dealt
with separately. Mr.. Parncll eX-
pressed satisfaction with Mr.. Glad
stones speech, adding. however, that
the proposed bill contained some errors
which he hoped to rectity. The Brit
ish press is generally hostile. The
London Daily Telegraph speaks Ct the
measure as "this great capitulation.
The Times says it "cannot possibly
survive the debate in committee" and
The Standard pronounces it "a meas
ure Of discord and net Of peace" This
epitomizes the opinions Of the English
and Scotch newspapers. The Dublin
Frecman's Journal approves the
scheme, while the Dublin Irish Times
and the Dublin Express both disap-
prove of it. In Cork the general opin-
ion of the people is said to be favorable.
In this country Irish sentiment Is
mainly for the bill, although some Of
the leaders, like Patrick Ford Of the
Irish World, are opposed or non-com-
initial. 1t of course does not suit the
dynamitcrs. The leading American
newspapers commend the measure
while expressing sympathy with the
Irish people. The New York Herald
says "Home rule must win in the
end, though the end is not close at
hand. That is the verdict of historic
progress. Ireland is on the side of the
law of national evolution, and there
fore she is with the majority. There
will be a last battle on this question,
and that will decide the matter forever,
and in Ireland's favor"
There is much to be said in favor Of
Mr.. Gladstone's bill. 1t is step in adj
vance of anything before attempted-at
once concession and an admission
that ireland, has real grievances and
that something should be done to
remedy them. And the Liverpool Post
is no doubt correct in saying that
whether Mr.. Gladstone is successful
or not in carrying his bill through Par
Lament. he has forever killed oppres-
sion and coercion in Ireland.
What Baking Powder shall we
Use?
This plain question comes home to
every hOuse- keeDer We al! desire