The Republican journal., 1886-04-15
Home Rule for Ireland.

The great political event of the past week
was Gladstone's announcement in the British
Parliament of his measure for giving Irelal d
home rule. The speech i'll which the venerable
Premier presented his views was cabled i'll full
to the daily papers OH this side Of the Atlantic,
and is certainly mastery effort. Mr.. Glad
stone was enthusiastically received and at the
close of his speech, which occupied three hours
and twenty-five minutes in delivery, was heart
lily cheered for several minutes. His peroration
was remarkable for its fervid eloquence. The
Portland Advertiser reduces Mr.. Gla,istonc's
Irish bill to eight principal propositions as
follows:
l. An Irish Parliament composed of two
orders sitting together but voting separately on
occasion or on demand of either body The
first order to consist of l03 members and to be
composed of the 2S Irish peers now in the
House of Lords, together with 10 representa-
tives elected by the Irish people; the peers to
SIT Tor life at option, and the others to have
terms Of ten years. The second order TO con-
sist of 206 members, and to be composed of the
101 Irish members sitting in the House of
Commons, with 105 to be elected. The dura-
ton of the body not to exceed five years.
Irish representatives to sit no longer in the
British Parliament, but to have the right Of
addressing the crown.
.. A viceroy appointed by the crown, enjoy
ing prerogatives delegated by the crown, and
mdsturbed in tenure by party charges.
3. Judges to be appointed by the Irish gov
ernment, paid out of the Irish funds, aud re-
movable on joint address of the two orders.
4. The constabulary to remain at present
under the British pay and British authority.
D. The civil service to be transferred to the
control of the Irish legislature.
g. The imperial government to retain control
| a
nccted Herewith, the defences, the coinage and
| currency and foreign relations; but the general
| power Of taxation over and above these par
ticuar duties to he given to the domestic legi>-
lature; and the customs to be used for lrelands
| benefit.
| I. Ireland to pay Il proportion of one-iifteenth
of the imperial expenditures.
5. Religious disabilities to be removed and
no particular church to be established or en-
doWed.
The measure is open to suggestions, which no
doubt will be forthcoming, and the land queS-
ton is to be dealt with separately. Mr. Parne
expressed satisfaction with Mr. Gladstone's
speech, adding, however. that the proposed bill
contained some errors which he hoped to rect-
| fly. The British press is generally hostile. The
London Daily Telegraph speaks Of the measure
as this great capituation,' The Times says it
| "cannot possibly survive the debate in commit
| tee and The Standard pronounceS it "a meas
ure of discoId and not of peace This epitom-
zes the opinions of the English and Scotch
newspapers. The Dublin Freeman's journal
| approves the scheme, while the Dublin Irish
Times and the Dublin Express both di>approye
| of it. In Cork the general opinion of the pco-
pie 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 mon-committa 1t
of course does not suit the dynamitcr>. The
| leading American newspapers commend the
measure while expressing sympathy with the
Irish people. The New York Herald says
Home rule must win i'll the end, though the
end is not close at hand. That is the verdict Of
| historic progress. Ireland is OH the side of the
| law Of national evolution, and therefore She is
with the majority. There will be Il last battle
| ter forever, and in Ireland'> favor
There is this to be said in favor of Mr.. Glad
stones bill: 1t is a step iii advance of anything
before attemptcd-at once a concession aud an
that something should be done to remedy them.
And the Liverpool Post is no doubt correct in
saying that whether Mr.. Gladstone is success
full or not in carrying his bin through Parlia-
ment. he has forever killed oppression and CO.
ercion in Ireland.