The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-04-15

nit. GLADSTONE AND MS PLANS FOR
IRELAND,
A. McaREaoR, Editor.

MT HLADbIONN avn hA' HNs'" -
IRELAND,
Mr.. Gladstone has grappled with the
Irlsh question, and his grand speech on
Thuraday was master effort. The
great statesman rises above prejudice
and partisan selashness, and shows a
heart earnest In the cause OF justice
and humanity.
His speech outlining his plan for the
settlement Of the Irish question will be
read with deep interest. II 10 masterly
IN its simplicity Of style, earnestness OF
appeal for justice TO Ireland, aud clear
neas OF statement as TO the method he
proposes for doing that justice. Sub
sequent discussion may modify the pro-
posed measure In some OF its dstails,
but II Ireland 10 TO remain d part OF the
British empire, and the Irish people are
10 live IN harmony with their English
and Scotch neighbore, some measure
like this must be adopted.
His scheme contemplates an Irish par
lament In Dublin, with q viceroy 10
represent the crown, and the RELIGIOUS
disability removed 80 that Roman
Catholic may be viceroy. The parlia-
ment Ia to be composed OF two classes
or "Orders." The "Arst order" or up
per branch, Ia to have 1903 members. or
these, 2S will be the Irish representative
peers now sitting In the British house
OF lords, and who are 10 receive In OK.
change for their present seats life alt
tlngs In the Irish house OF the arst or
der. The other rs are 10 be elected for
ton years by voters having a property
qualification az occuplers to the value
OF e25 and upward, the representatives
themselves having a property qnalilica'
tion OF e200 annual value on capital
value OF $4,000. The lower branch, or
"secOnd order" will have 206 members,
elected In the same manner as the pres
ont members Of tho house OF commons
we're elected. With the establishment
Of the Irish parliament the representa-
tiOn OF Ireland In the Westminster par
Lament will cease. The peers will be
Civ n seats In the "lrst order" and the
members OF the house Of commons at
Westminster will be transferred 10 the
second order" In Dublin,
With certain specified exceptions the
Dublin parliament will have full legis'
latiye and dninlstratiye control Of IT.
ish affairs. The exceptions are: "Ev-
eryibing which relates to the crown;
all that which belongs TO the defense,
the army, the navy, the entire organiza-
tlOn OF the armed force; aud the foreign
and domestic relations" Also specin
cations preventing the establishment or
endowment OF any particular religious
secL aud securing the rights OF the
Protestant minority.
The 1lcal unity Of the empire Ia pre-
served, but the entire proceeds arising
from the customs aud excise duties In |
Ireland will be for the benefit OF that
country. These funds are to be used for
the discharge OF Irish obligations. Any
balance which may remain after this Is
10 remain In the Irish excheQuer. The
provisions Of the bill vest In the Irish |
legislature the general power Of impos'
Ing taxes, II isproposed that tho maxi.
mum duration of the Irish parliament
shall be Ave years,
The present judges In Ireland are to
bo retired on pensions and their success
ors appointed by the Irish government.
The constabulary will for the time re-
main under the present authority, but
will ultimately pass under the control
Of the Irish legislature. The whole
civil service In Ireland will also pass
under that control, tho present officials
having the remainder Of their terms
capitalized according TO the laws now
In existence. Ireland Is to contribute
fifteenth toward the imperial OK.
penditure, which, according TO Mr., Glad
stones figures, will leave II q hand
some yeary surplus,
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