Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-13
PIGOTT is A SIDE ISSUE.
A Popular Vote Would Now Over
throw the Government, but
A COMING EARL FEARS NO CHANGE,
And Tells Why Gladstone and Harrington
Cannot Be RecOnciled.
AN INTERVIEW OF WORLDWIDE NOTE


will not only be read with interest here,
but deiiberated upon even more eagerly
and soberly in the countries across the
pond, because they embody the ideas and
e thoughts Of a man whose opinion is of
weight, not only because the opinion is
significant, but because they come from
himself.
The interview bore directly upon the
Tin1es-Parnen issues, at present agitating
the world, and it incidentally speaks of
other matters of less Importance now be-
cause they are overshadowed BY the one
topic the one sensation of the day, Parnell
and the League. In order to appreciate the
importance of the conversation, it will be
necessary first to go into little description
of the man whose ideas of the present crisis
are of SO much Importance.
The Hon. Albert H. Grey, heir apparent to
the title and estates of the present Earl Grey,
is on his way back to st. Paul to visit friends,
and he will soon return to England where the
present crisis demands his presence. He comes
of long line of English aristocrats and his
grandfather was the famous Earl Gerry of re-
form bill fame, when bitter fight in 80 re-
suited in the extending free franchise to
English voters.
HIS EMINENT POSITION.
And as for his father, there is trite saying
over there TO this day, There are three par
ties. the Conservative the Liberal and the
Earl Grey"
The present heir apparent is as well, if not
better. known than any aristocrat in England
as a prime mover in social changes, If not re-
volts 1t is owing mainly to Albert Grey that
the million suffering, sitting poor of London
can. upon the Sabbath day, have the freedom
of Kensington, or even hlgh-toned Hyde Park,
for hours, and enjoy the relaxation of
Gods free air and sunshine. coupled with su-
perb music for which not one ha'penny has
been extorted from their shriveled and shrunk-
en- pockets.
Another move no less important and kindly
to the laboring man was the estabnshment OF
the famous cheap coffee houses in London,
where for 'tuppenceh fried fish or sausage, q
roll and coffee proves blessing to the poor. In
this move Albert Grey was associated IN IN
fuence and in a financial way with Lord Sud-
bury, the Duke OF Albany and the Prince of
Wales and their thousands of pounds spent in
establishing the coffee houses are being realized
by poorer people every day. The gentleman
has been for years in the House of Commons,
but has latterly refused four separate offers to
return. The reason is apparent. though he
would not admit it. The present Earl Grey is
nearly 30 and his death will insure the eldest
nephew a seat in the House of Peers.
When the limited drew into the Union depot
last night, the gentleman was discovered trav-
cling in the most delightful American style,
and as Is minutes is the length of time allowed
for the train to stay here, it did not take long
to find the man and put the
QUESTIONS POINT BLANK.
He was an Englishman from tip of gathered
shoes to top of sunburned face, and his athletic
proportions were such as few Englishmen. but
many Americans. could boast of.
What do you think of the Parnen letters
eollapse?" was the first question.
''You must put that in a more definite form. "
'sWell did the Government have anything to
do with them? Was the Government behind
their publication"
Il do not know; have nothing authoritative
TO say on that point. That remains matter of
"Do you think they dld?'
The question was too pointed. He would not
answer it directlyi but his answer conveyed
something of even more importance, as II gave
an inside view Of future events,
Those forged Parnell letters are merely an
incident in the drama. Momentarily they are
of vast importance: but their collapse does not
bv any means indicate the collapse of any
party. The charge did not rest upon a single
issue, and if that issue falls the charge re-
mains"
'FWiI the present collapse result in any big
political revolution"
mo, and yes. If it came to popular vote
Just now, in view of the present sensation, the
Tory and Unionist, for we are as liable to great
political changes as you. The result would be
fight between two parties instead of three
the Unionists, and the Liberal, or Gladstone
DO you look for such a changer"
mo. This change would come to-day under
the stress of present excitement, but Just wait
until the judges bring in thir finding"
AS TO THE JUDGMENT.
''What then?"
merely side issue; they will find that ParnelPs
sensationaiism, and known socialistic character
far outweighsIthe collapse of few letters that
bear only upon one issue at stake"
'Wen?"
IAN election may not occur for three or -four
wears when the momentary sensation and con.
sequent huctuation of public opinion has
passed away Wiser heads and counsel will
prevail, and no great political change will en-.
sue. / admit that if the matter were put to a
vote to-day the result might be disastrous to
the Tories and Unionists."
'Will Gladstone and Harrington again be
allied in such a case?"
Never Gladstone, even as Prime Minister.
could never draw his former Secretary of Colo
nies to him again on any matter of political
put them in the same boat. would be
the disestablshment of the Church of
England. and they are a unit in
opposing this. I favor it only in this way
under the State as at present, but let them in
sti1ute vital reforms Before closing the con.
versatlon, let me repeat, wait until the Judges
finding shows those letters were but a small
issue compared with the points made by the
Times people, and you will see another re.
vulsion in popular opinion now carried away
for the nonce."
NOT BIT OF A NUGwUNIP.
An opportunity here offered to ask Mrs
Grey a question as to her husbands politics
r.
as game as her husband, and repudiated the
idea of his being a Mugwump. HE was
Liberal, said she: "but is now a strong
Unionist. and of course strong supporter Of
his Government"
The gentleman was then asked what ht
thought of Henry George.
Georges first appearance in England ere
ated sensation, said he. His book, Progress
and Poverty had preceded him, and haC
bothered the wisest economic heads in En-
gland for awhile. The genius of the man who
Constructed that book is not to be analyze6
and struck down in day. Time, however, ha:
shown his ideas to be theory. his facts to be
surmises and his ground to be untenable. His
theories are going down, and down, and have
fallen even f1atter in England than in America
Experience has shown him TO be wrong, and
though 1 admire and respect his genius, mus
say il is not common sense, and his second triI
over there will not be so successful as his first
The conversation was cut short right here By
the Pennsylvania Railroad, but the pleasant
couple waved merry auleu as Iney were
hurried away on their western route in such {
palatial manner as all their money could moi
buy in old England. The gentleman's forecas
of the 7fnes-Parnell finding is of especial i'm
portance as he is a warm friend of theirs anC
knows perfectly their sense in regard TO thu
question. The Hon. Grey was at one time
strong Liberal. and while member for tha
party was intrusted with some vital amend
ments to government bills by Minister Glad
stone and he put these amendments and car
ried them everyone by the force of his elo
quence and strong viii.