Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-01-28
Foreign News,
The British Parliament was
Formally Opened on Thurs
day Last.
The Queen Attends the Opening
and Delivers her Message.

THE QUEEN S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT.
LONDON, Jan, 23.-The weather to-
day was inauspicious for the reap
pearance Of the queen in public. It
was dull, heavy day and the streets
covered with snow and slush.
Promptly at 1 80 p. M, the royal
party left Buckingham palace for the
house OF lords. The route of the roy
a. pageant was covered with gravel,
This prevented the horses from falling
and enabled more progress TO be
made. Her majesty rode in an open
carriage drawn by eight horses. The
household cavalry acted as an escort
to the queen. Large crowds lined
the streets through which the royal
procession passed and her majesty
was greeted with hearty cheers all
along the line
The scene in the house of lords was
very brilliant. The peers, Judges,
ministers and bishops were present in
large numbers, in full court dress.
Gas light was used ia the chamber,
owing to the absence of the sun. This
enhanced the beauty of the scene, as
it showed more fully the brilliancy of
the jewels and splendor of the dresses
worn by those present.
The queen looked as if she we're suf-
fering from a cold. Her majesty, in
her speech said that her relations with
other powers continued friendly. The
differences with Russia regarding the
Afghanistan boundary had been salts
factorily adjusted. She trusts that
the work of the Russo English frontier
demarcation commission. already far
advanced, may tend to secure the con-
tinuance of the peace of Central Asia
Referring to tae rising in Eastern
Roumel1a, her maj esty says that her
objedt in the negotiations which fol-
lowed the outbreak has been to bring
the inhabitants OF that country, ac-
cording to their wish, under the
prince OF Bulgaria's rule, while main
tanning unimpaired the essential
rights of the sultan. The queen re-
grets that she has been com PEELED 20
declare war against King Theebaw of
Burmah, and shows the act of hostility
by himself and subjects. The gallan
try of the officers ahd men under Gen.
Prendergast had rapidly overthrow
the Burmese forces, and she had decid
ed that the most certain method of
insuring peace was to be found IN the
permanent incorporation of Burmah
with her empire. Negotiations re-
specting the rights of the French on
the coast Of Newfoundland had been
satisfactorily concluded. With Spain
also, an agreement had been reached
- %Io
cial rights as the Germans IN the Car
oline Islands. Parliament is asked to
adopt certain measures rendered nee
essary 10 the convention relative to
international copyright, to which the
queen has agreed.
Turning to internal affairs, the
queen said:
Gentlemen of the house of commons my lords
and gentlemen, regret to say that no material
improvement can be noted in the condition or
trade or agriculture. feel the deepest symapthy
for the great number of persons IN many aVoca-
lions of life who are suffering under pressure
which, trust VIII prove transient
1 have seen with deep sorrow the renewal since
last addressed you, of an attempt to excite the
people of Ireland to hostility against the. legisa
tive union between that country and Great
Bri ain. / am resolutely opposed to any disturb
ance of that fundamental law, and in resisting 1t
am convinced snail be heartily supported by
my parliament and my people. The social no
less than the material conditions OF that country
engages my anxious attention. Although there
has been during the past year no market increase
of serious crime, there is in many places con.
certed resistance to the enforcement OF
legal obligations and, regret to say
the practice Of organized intimidation continues
to exist. have caused every exertion TO be used
for the detection and punishment of these crimes
and no effort will be spared on the part or my
government TO protect my Irish subjects In the
exercise of their legal rights and IN the ENJOY
ment of their individual liberty. Ii, as my IN
formation leads me to apprehend, existing pro-
visions of the laws should prove to be inadequate
to cope with these growing evils, shall look
with confidence to your willingness to invest my
government with all necessary powers.
Bills will be submittedfor transferring to rept
reseptative councils in the countries Of Grea-
Britain the local business which is now transact
ed by the courts of quarter session and other au-
thorities.
Ameasure for the reform of the county govern
ment of Ireland is also in preparation These
measures will involve the consideration OF the
present incidence of local burdens.
A bill for facilitating the sale OF geoe lands. IN
a. manner adapted to the wants Of the rural popu-
latioD will also be submitted to you, as Will also
bills for removing the difficulties which prevent
the easy and cheap transfer of land, for mItl-
eating the distressed condition Of the poorer
classes in the western highlands and the ISLANDS
of Scotland, for the effectual prevention or acc1
dents in mines, for extending the powers Oh tne
railway commission in respect to the regulation
of rates. and for the codification of the criminal
law.
ucation may issue from the royal commission
which have appointed to enquire into the work
ing of the education acts.
The prompt and effectual dispatch of import
ant business which, in ever growing proper
ton falls TO you to transact, will, doubt not oc-
cupy your attention.
your high function I earnestly commend you to
the keeping and guidance of Almighty God.
THE REPLY TO THE ADDRESS.
TaNDON Ian % in the house OF