Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-14
TORY HOME RULE.
Salisbury's Plans for Local Govern

tCopvright 1888 by James Gordon Btnnett.l
LONDON Jan. 13.-[New York Herald
Cable--Special to the BEE. Was there
ever any intrigue between the conservative
leaders and the Parnelitesi Lord Salisbury
says no. The Parnelites have often said
yes, and they say 1t still whenever they get
chance. That cvertures were made from
one party TO the other cannot well be denied,
for did not the conservative lord lieutenant
Of Ireland have an interview with Mr.. Par
nell in 1856, Very different accounts of that
interview have been given. The Parnellites
say that everything was conceded, but what
was everything in 1855 fell very far short of
the Gladstonian bills. The tories were un-
doubtedly willing to extend local government
to Ireland, but have an excellent reason
for stating that a seperate parliament
with an independent executive was not sug
gested at any interview between the tory
leader and Mr.. Parnell or his chief lieuten-
ants. 1t was only when the elections of 1855
left the Parnellites in control of the house
that this concession was decided on by Mr.
Gladstone. More than once in the house
startling revelations have been promised or
threatened, but they never came. The nego-
tators probably misunderstood each other on
both sides. Lord Salisbury knew nothing
ABOUT tnc Hldltpr, all through. lnaJ Hlucl
can be most positively stated, but how much,
after all, does it signify what took
place two and a half years ago.
The question for sensible men is
how far is it possible to z now toward meet
ing the Irish claims. know many unionists
conservatives included, who would be quite
willing to abolish the lord lieutenant shut up
the castle and place the general control Of
Irish affairs in Irish hands. Everybody rec
ognizes the absurdity- of sending to parlia-
M n WpStIniDstar m ic IN
be drained or new roads made. The whole
OF such business should be done in Ireland by
men selected by the people, by country
boards or some other contrivance. Represen-
purely Irish affairs. So far the conserva-
tivcs, not few in number, are
quite prepared to go. ] hear that powers
of this kind are to be entrusted to new county
boards to be created in England and Scot
land under the forthcoming local govern
ment bill Instead of requiring railroad and
similar bills to be passed through parliament
local authorities elected by popular suffrage
will be empowered to deal with them. Every
locality will thus decide on its own roads,
water supply, sewerage SYSTEM and other
business. This will be nothing less than a
revolution. Nearly all private bill legisla-
tion will be taken from parliament and
handed over to bodies bearing some resem-
blance, though on u limited scale to state leg
islature in America. Will there be no jobbery
when new railroad is to be made no strik-
ers, no lobbyists, no underground work in
any direction. Perhaps not. We can only
hope for the best. Well would Ireland be
content with any such concessions as these!
There's the rub. 1t has been offered a par
lament and government of its own. Will it
take less! Not until it is proved that the
first offer cannot be repeated. That is what
Lord Salisbury is aiming at when he repu-
dates home rule in such emphatic terms.
But he does not shut the door on local gov
ernment. "A parliament on college green, and
an Irish executive, he refuses to grant.
True, Ireland is to be excluded from the OPP
GRAFTON of the new local government bill, but
if the Irish leaders are willing to accept
suppose the exclusion could soon be rem
edied. There is perhaps basis for COM
promise. 1t is for others to say whether it
affords an acceptable solution of the difficulty
The Crown Princes Condition.