New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-31

noso in Irelaui siacc with a pertinacty PECULIARLY
English il has adhered with In FLEXIBLE determina-
ton TO its general policy, whether good or BAD
and IT, * TO he credited with two substantial legis-
lative achievements. One of these WAS the con-
version of the entire National debt into new con-
soils at "a per cent for fifteen years, ana : IL
per cent subsequently. This was Mr. GoSchens
work and established his putatlon as the greatest
English flnancier after Mr.. Gladstone. Another
was the Local Government bill for London and the
counties This was radical and in the main a
broadly democratic measure, which revolutlonlzeu
the municipal organization OF the Enghsh me-
tropolis and overthrow the existing county sys-
tenn. The bill passed 10 n second reading without
a division, but was industrously debated for sew
cral weeks in committee. Mr. Richie displaying
great political capacity and tact IN modifying
various features which excited criticism. and in
withdrawing the licensing clauses altogether when
warned by adverse votes of several constituencies.
The measure was one of the largest ever disposed
of in single session, and its passage would have
been mpracticabe if the rule of procedure in the
Commons had not been amended at the outset.
Both Mr. Gladstone and Mr.. Parnell discounenanced
obstruction and the rules were easily changed so
as 10 bring closure into operation automatically
and to put an end to dilatory motions and super
auOus debate Mr. Bradlaugh's Affirmation bill,
over which previous Parliaments had held high and
angry debate, was also enacted, together with the
Parnell Commission Act, the extension of
the Ashbourne Act and other measures.
This creditable legislative record was hrgcly at
tributablc to the two political alliances: the
Irish-G ladstonan, since this prevented renewal
of obstruction: and the Tory-Unionist, since Lord
Hartington's followers under obligations to
support a Government which introduced liberal
measures, such as the Local Government bill.
THE IRISH STRUGGLE.
Mr. Bslfour meanwhile was governing Ireland
with steadiness of purpose and manifesting cynical
Indifference to outbreaks OF temper and ferocious
language. Before Parliament opened in February,
twelve Nationalist members had either been i'm
prisoned arrested under the Coercion Act, and
Wifrid Blunt was picking oakum like an ordinary
convict for the offence of attending illegal mid
night meeting. Two Irish members were arrested,
one while entering and the other while leaving
Westminster on the opening day and subsequently
several other members wire captured by detectives
at the doors of Parliament. Mr.. OBrien and other
prisoners, when released from jail, were invariably
received by enthusiastic crowds of admirers; but
these tokens of popular sympathy with his victims
did not deter Mr.. Balfour from repeating
rests throughout the year, whenever he had legal
warrant under the Coercion Act, and fancicd that
he could weaken the National League. His Adj
ministratOn was challenged in a formal debate on
the operation of the Coercion Act, but with vote
of 366 TO 273 in his favor he could afford TO be
contemptuous of the power Of the Opposition. In
his warfare with the League he was aided by the
Vatican. On April g the Pope confirmed the
declaration of the Supreme Congregation con-
demnng the Plan Of Campaign and boycottlng IN
contests between landlords and tenants The
isl aft showing reluctance.
took measures TO enforce the POntln advice.
While there were hostile demonstrations against
the Vatican Throughout the island, and its action
was denounced as a species of meddlesOme inter-
ference with political rights the restraining IN
lluence of the Church everywhere felt The
Plan of Campaign proved less and lsS effective.
Mr: Balfour has had a powerful ally IN the Pope.
The Governments chief offset TO the stringent
enforcement of the Coercion Act was systematic
effort to render the Ashbourne Act operative. Mr.
Parncll as substitute for the general bankruptcy
of tenants bad asked the Commons 10 empower
cOuNs in which proceedings for electments were
brought TO reduce the debt and costs, and for the
AXE OF relieving large number oil leaSers 70 extend
the limit of value from $3.50 10 5000. This Ar
rcars bill was rciected March 81 by vote of
1928 to 243. The Government, encouraged by the
success OF the Ashbourne Act, proposed in Novem-
Der to double the fund available for buying out
landlords. There had been 1888 agreements TO
pu rchase, involving $50 $50 coo for execution; and
s. 1913 of these had been for holdings under SloO "A
year The Government asked for authority TO IN
crease the fund from S25, 0O0 600 To $50 600, 600
Mr.. Gladstone, taking up the Irish case where Mr.
Parnell had dropped it in March, offered an amend
ment that measure for relieving tenants in ar
roars should have precedence This was voted
down, and the Government measure carried by
maiorties of 81 and Is TO the first and second
readings and subsequently passed.
Meanwhile the Parncllito members had virtually |
been brought into court with The London Times
as prosecutor, aided by Government counsel and
influence. Mr.. O'Donnell had sued that journal
for bclling him in its series entitled Parnellism
and Crime" The collapse of an ill-adyised and
prosecution left Mr. Parnell no re-
course except to denouncc as forgeres various let
ters attributed to him and to ask for Para- |
mentary Investigation This the Government re- !
fused and then, approaching the injustice of its
course. abruptly brought in q bill providing 70"
judicial commission 10 cordnct an inquiry respect
ing the charges Of " The London Times" This |
measure was iercey criticised by the lone Rulers. |
but was finally passed on August &, by vote OF |
&c TO IS, the Parneltcs not voting Mr. P1rncll |
md two associates AT once brought libel suits in !
Scotland and England. The Commission, con- /
September : for organization, and agreed 10 con-
luct the inquiry as if il were an issue Of fact |
lirectly between the journal and tn" accnsot mem
,ers. On October "a. Attorney-General Webster |
opened the for the prosecution and pro-
'ession OF nformers. constables landlords. agents
victims Of agrarian'Sm and gnrrulous criminals /
las since been in motion Tn" investigation
promises 70 be one Of in'erminahle length
The bv-eections Of The year hay" been sharplv |
contested and have disclosed marked trend in the
direction Of Home Rule. The Cors "rva'ives won |
seat IN DOncaster ana scOrch >nght Guns ~ II /
hester Dewsbury and elsewhere But the Lib |
rails were uniformly successful in reducing hostile
naiGritios. made hcavv gins in Ayr hor"ughs
sic of Thanet. Compton and other constituencies |
nd won seats in SonthamntNn. Edinburgh and |
This reaction against tn" Gov"rrm mt |
~as more apparent at the beginning than NJ the .
md Of the year II Mr. PANEL succeeds /" Demon
trptine TINT the Un'Onists hav" been traflclSing |
u forgcrics there may he n decided revolution of |
'uhlic feeling a0ans' his accuSers For tn" mo-
mont th" constituencies anDear 10 b" evcnlv di- |
'ided on the burning question OF Home Rule Mr |
,pdStone's popularity is ind mnshe1 b"' Lori |
n 'ishurv also commands public conhd nee. lie |
las conducted q strong and capable Administra-
ion taken p"nnv off the income tax made no |
mistakes abroad and enacted LARGE reform measures
It home. II Is Government that knows It's own |