The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-02-04
Current Events.

Balfour Is determined 10 make his gov.
eminent as ordious as possible. Following
the outrageous arrest OF Mr.. Cox who Is
now in prison chopping wood and doing
other labOrs of common criminals, he has
caused the conviction of eight persons at
Kantask on charges of attending meetings
of the League, their sentence being for two
months imprisonment ut hard labor
On Thursday last, Lord Ripon and Mr..
John Morley were presented with the
freedom of the city" Of Dublin in the
presence of Mr.. Sullivan, Nj. p, and ex.
mayor, and recently OF Tullamore prison
Both Lord Ripon and Mr.. Morley made
speeches. which were enthusiastically re
ceived Lord Ripon, among other things
stid "The upshOt of these inquiries or
examinations 10y Englishmen and Scotch
men has been growing and strengthening
nyiClion among the great mass OF the
English people of the justice and wisdom
Ut home rule"
As the opening of parliment draws nearer
the conviction strengthens that there will
ia division and an appeal to the people
on the Irish question, so great has been the
l,ss of confidence In the government among
the people on that question. Gladstone is
still on the continent, but his heutenants
are conducting au able agitation in his
absence; which Is assisted, rather than
deferred by the gross outrages on personal
lioerty by l}alfour in Ireland. Notwith
standing, BalfOur has the undoubtrd sup
port of bis patty, and the outlook is he
will be the next premier of his paaty.
On Wednesday last the House adopted Il
resolution calling for the appointment of II
committee of five 10 "investigate the extent,
causes and effects" of the Reading strike
both of railway employees and of coal
miners. The Investigation was asked for
w q committee rrpresention $1,000 work
lug men Although both railway and
mines belong in tact 10 one company, new.
.rtheless to meet the requirements OF
Pennsylvania law, there are nOminally two
lhe monopoly is one of the greatest In the
t. ). II has violated Its agreements with
the men; II has robbed the country by
vXorbitant charges fot its coal; and now
lays back in the traces and asks "what
are you going 10 do about IT," Ii will be
Interesting to see what the developments
snall be how these great corporations pay
and treat their men, how these live and how
protection protects them In the house of
their friends.
Meantime the great strike continues with
no sign of breaking up. Production of
coal has practically ceased. The great
Industrial interests of Eastern Pennsylvania
lave come TO stop. All iron and steel
works have banked fires and shut down for
want OF fuel, and three fourths of the fur
II ices are out of blast, throwing 10000 meI
e IL. tn
lands and $4,000 idle miners,
No tariff blu has emlnated from the ways
nj means committee, although almOs
every day brings from Washington "au
toritative" statements that the bill II
nearly ready 10 report to the house, ant
equally authoritative" statements of wha
cianges the bill will make in the existing
law. No Washington correspondent OF
good standing will fail TO report an Eau
tnoritative" tariff Dill at least as often Al
ouce a week, and no two OF the guild will
agree on the same authoritative" facts
One of them this week reported free wool
n cut on iron and steel, free fruit branoies
n 20 per cent reduction ON sugars, and al
equal reduction of the tobacco tax. Tn,
next day another says little has been done
81 all sugars have not been touched, nj
cnanges have been made In liquors
tobacco, silks, books, cotton, &c. On thu
whole none but the committee In charg'
saem To know anything about 1t, excep
by influence from knowledge of the OUTLINE
furnished by the treasury department
Senator Riddleberger made an attemp
ON Tuesday, to have the Senate conside
the proposed extradition treaty with Grea
Britain considered In public. The Senate
OF course did not acquiesce 10 his view
10 truth, the Senate seldom does acQuiesc,
In common sense view Of anything, l
is too pulled up with Its self-esteem ant
its wealthy self importance TO come dowr
10 the level of common people who may
want to know what rights they may have