New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-18
TWO SURRENDERS.

The Salisbury Government has surrendered
twice during a single week under most humii
ating circumstances. The first time was when
it grounded arms at the demand of the Rad
icals and gave up the attempt to pass the
original T1thes bill as landlords measure.
The second time was when il yielded TO
pressure from large landholderS on the Con-
sentative side and refused to introduce a new
Tthes bill in the interest Of occupiers Or ten
ants The second retreat was forced by the
harassing tactics of Sir William Hapourt. who
persisted in compelling the Government to
withdraw the original measure in order to
clear the ground for legislation having an es-
sentialy different mOtye-the relief OF tenants
rather than landlords. Then came the neces-
sity Of making deliberate choice between
serving the tenants or serving the landlords.
The Government, warned by the hostility and
indignation of the 9 stern unbending Tories"
and experimenting serious results from the
continuance of Radical agitation, ignOminious-
ly abandoned the field declining to persevere
in its new course of action. Sir William IIar-
court converted the Government defeat into
rout lie displayed consummate skill as
tactican. and materially strengthened his claim
to the succession Of the Liberal leadership in
the event of Mr. Gladstones death or retire
ment from politics.
The effect of two compromises and final in
action in this matter Of securing payment Of
tithes a form Of taxation that is unpopular
with large section Of the English population,
can hardly fail to impair the political authority
Of the Government. A Ministry hating be-
tween two opinions, forced 10 choose between
serving one of two masters, and from sheer
lack Of courage and dread Of political cOnse
QuenceS refusing to make NJ its mind one way
or the other, can neither inspire confidence
nor command respect. The English people
with their robust civic traits are invariably re-
PEELED by such displays of vacllation and
timorouSness The Government must inevi-
tably lose prestige from its exhibition Of par
liamentary gymnastics and tumbling. The
Popular comment will be that the Ministry has
reached the eliminating point Of It's fortunes
and that its influence hencefOrih will steadily
decline. 1t has exhausted the first half Of its
statutory term, and with its majority reduced
TO four votes at the close Of an uneyentful
session, in which contentious legislation has
been Systematically avoided and with the by
elections running steadily against it, the signs
in the sky are OminouS. From this time the
constituencies will cease TO look backward t.
the general elections which armed the Unionist
coalition with power, and will begin TO fore
cast the probable results of another general
appeal 70 the people. The Ministers may con-
tinue in Office for a year or two longer. but
their authority will be constantly questioned
and their representative character challenged
with increasing yigor and passion. Lord Ran
dolph Churchill will consider the expediency
and wisdom Of schemes Of democratic Tory
ism, denounced only yesterday as Socialism
in an artificial disguise, as yindicated by the
results in Parliament during the week. lie
will be emboldencd to renew his demonstra-
ton of political activity and to have recourse
TO acrid criticism of the Government. The
Liberals will be. greatly. encouraged BY the