Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-23

The report of the special committee on grants
to the royal family was laid before the British
house of commons yesterday. 1t is not what
Dir. Gladstone and his immediate following
asked for, but il glances so far toward COM
promise as to show that the tory government
realizes the existence OF strong popular feel
ing against further taxation for the support of
the ever-growing multitude of Guelphs. In
stead Of proposing to add E40,0 year to the
income of the Prince of Wales. with the stipu-
lation urged by Gladstone and Morley, that he
hal make ell future provisions for
his descendants without calling for
aid from parliament, and that the
res. of the grandchildren Of the queen shall be
be taken care Of by their parents or other kin,
it recommends quarterly increase II $4,000,
and the adoption at some proper time of rule
denying to future sovereigns any claims upon
The public treasury in behalf Of their grand
children. This last suggestion Is a sop thrown
out in the hope of stopping popular clamor.
1t is not likely. however, to accomplish its
end. Mr.. Gladstone, in spite of his occasional
excursions into the radical domain, has enough
left of the conservative spirit with which he
started life, and Is so good royalist withal, as
to accept the terms of the majority of the
himself to consent to the report withou. words
Of earnest protest, and large part of the
English people undoubtedly feel better pleased
with his speech than with his vote.
The fact is, the time has gone by when the
masses OF the people can be brought to any en-
thusiasm over royalty for its own sake. The
nobility and gentry have their interests so in
VOWED with those of the crown as naturally to
have their sympathies drawn that way; and the
sober middle class have a personal regard for
the queen which is compounded in part of
chiyaIrous respect for her sex and in part OF
the traditional loyalty Of the British character.
These people. however, are groaning heavily
under the taxes heaped upon them for tie sup
port Of family which increases at an alarm
ing rate; and the social stratum next below
theirs Is So impregnated with democratic ideas
as to be almost revolutionary. The queen,
though herself immensely rich. has steadily
importuned parliament for fresh grants for her
progeny, and has given no adequate quid pro
quo. Since the prince coasort's death she has
hidden herself from the sight o: her loyal SUBJ
iects- Ii SO shadowy a thing as royalty is
worth such price, the people reason, 1t must
be for the sake of having the nation realize at
all times that it possesses a head; but
a queen who is never seen becomes
scarcely better than fiction. The Prince of
Wales, though not of commanding intellect,
has qualities that make him personally popu-
lar, and he has at least made fair attempt to fill
his mothers vacant place on public occasions.
But he is as extravagant in his habits as the
queen is economical. Whe,e she boards her
private wealth. he spends the public money
like water. This combination of tendencies in
mother and son is not looked upon with favor
by the people who have to keep the princes
purse filed. 1t may be that the debate on the
report OF the grants committee. which has
been set to begin on Thursday, will
reunite, for the time being. the various eie-
ments of the liberal party which have gone
asunder on the Irish question. If that hap
pens, and il the government lays stress enough
upon the adoption of its program to make it a
test OF life and death. there is a chance of an
appeal to the country. Nothing, probably.
would please the liberals better than this; for
they know that it would be easier to stir up
feeling for their side on question of increas-
ing the high price already paid for the luxuries
Of crown and throne, than on a topic which
comes so little home to the average English
man as the grievances of Ireland