The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-24
The Erect of Home Rule in England.

The Erect of Home Rule in England
Under the changed programme Of tn
Gladstonians and Parnelltes tho revival Q
an Irish Parliament at Dublin Is to b
coupled with the retention OF Ireh member
in the imperial Parliament at Westminster
Mr.. GLADsToNE'S original plan, which con
templated the withdrawal OF Ireland'S rep
resentatves from st. Stephens, involved
no trcnchant reconstruction OF the British
Constitution, but was on the whole tanta
mount to a reversion TO the state OF things
which existed hundred years ago. 1t Is
painfully clear, however to the Unionistf
that II Irish members are to speak and vote
in the assembly at Westminster after that
body has been deprived Of authority over
Irish affairs, they should be debarrcd from
interference In the local concerns OF England
Scotland, and Wales, and conilne themselves
to questions affecting the general interests
OF the whole empire AS to the machinery
by which this restriction could be effected,
various suggestions have been offered, but
| tho only practicable solution of the problem
is the extension OF the homo rule principle
TO the rest OF the United Kingdom, and the
creation of separate local legislatures for
England, Scotland. and Wales.
So much is almost universally admitted,
but until recently no one has publicly in
vestigated the question what would be the
chance Of the Gladstonians to contest the
local legislatures aud administrations, whose
creation is assumed to be inevitable. There
is, indeed, no doubt that they would remain
dominant in Scotland and Wales, where their
majorites have been usually pronounced,
and often overwhelming. We can already
predict with confidence that, unless the mat
ter is disposed Of beforehand by the imperial
Parliament, one of the first acts OF the Welsh
legislature will be to disestablieh the Angli-
can Church in Wales. Equally certain is it
that Scotch legislature would dsestablish
the Kirk of Scotland. Indeed, it was only
the other day that a majority OF the Scotch
members Of tho House Of Commons voted in
favor Of taking such step at once. Butthe
privilege OF dealing with Welsh and Scotch
interests as they pleased would but I'll con-
sole the Gladstonians, should it turn out
that the extension of home rule to the
whole United Kingdom would seriously les
sen their chances of controlling the affairs
OF England proper.
Yet, if tho political statistics Of half
century afford trustworthy basis for fore
casting the future, the Gladstonians are
likely to find themselves In an English leg
islature either in a minority or IN a major
ity SO weak as to be powerleSs. Some inter- |
esting data on this head have been pub
lished by Lord WoLMER in the latest num-
Der of the Nineteenth Century. He shows
that out OF twelve Parliaments from 1885 to |
7 boy
working majority in only three, but for the |
votes Of the Scotch Welsh, and Irish |
These three Parliaments were |
those OF 1885. 1857. and 1880. In four others |
the Liberal majority in England alone |
ranged from 81 to 49, while In the remaining
i've the Conservatives were preponderant.
This is not all. The effect OF the last two
Reform acts, those Of 1868 and 1885, have
)een unfavorable to the Liberals. SO far
IS England is concerned. Their larg-
st majority since 1868 was obtained in
$50. but it was only 90. whereas
We are still speaking OF England
nly-the Conservatives in 1874 gave Mr..
)ISRAELI majority OF III. In the present
'arlament, chosen in the midsummer OF
1856 with the Reform act and Seats act OF
885 in operation, tho Conservatives have. so
lr as English members are concerned,
Majority of 81 over Gladstonians and Dissi-
ent Liberals combined.
Now it Is generally taken for granted
hat, if the so-called New Radicals be-
ONE the dominant factor of the Glad
,onian party, the present Dissident Lib
rails will be fused with the Conserva-
yes. 1t seems. then, that II the statistics
the last half century prove anything
icy indicate that the New Radicals will
nd their opportunity of carrying out
weeping reforms in England proper much
lrtailed by RELOCATION of all interests
lrely English to an English legislature
he Church Of England, for example, would,
Dparcntly, be much more likely to escape
establishment and disendowment In |
lch circumstances than under tho present
,gime where tho votes of Irish, Scotch, |
nd Welsh Liberals might be counted
gainst it.
or course the facts pointed ont by Lord
'oLMER are not unknown to the New Rad
ais, and review Of them helps us to I'M
erstand the change in Mr.. GLADSToNE's |
ositiOn with regard TO the retention OF
lsh members at Westminster. Admitting
INT the lORlcul outcome Oh nome rule for |
eland Is an application OF the same prin-
pie to tho other principal parts OF the {
nited Kingdom, it is certain that the be-
oval of separate legislatures on England.
'ales, and Scotland will take place consld-
ably later. During that interval it will
be TO the interest of the New :
adlcals to carry as many reforms us pos
bic. With the aid Of eighty or ninety Irish
ationalist votes they might be ablo to def {
tely settle many important matters
fecting England alone in the present Par
lment at Westminster. instead OF leaving {
lem TO an English legislature. IT, for in {
ance, the English Nonconlormists are !
ger TO succeed in their attack on the Church \
England, they must profit by the assist ?
ace OF the Welsh, Scotch, and Irish mem !
,rs. Then, again. the assault upon tho 4
Ousn of Lords could be made most effect \
ely under similar conditions.
One Of the most divertiD& aspects OF the
tuatlon which will be evolved from the re- {