The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-02
LAND PURCHASE IN ERIN.
Balfour Makes Another Long Speech
on the Bill


on the Bill.
LONDON, May 1.-The debate on the land
purchase bill was resumed in the House of
Commons this evening by Mr.. Balfour, the
chief secretary for Ireland. He said he
thought it would be admitted that the
attacks which had been made on the meas
ure, though often violent in form, had been
hesitating in substance. Those who had
used the most vigorous language
against the governments proposals
seemed to be the most hampered by feel
ing that the bill was In accordance with the
best traditions Of every party In the House,
besides the fact that they themselves had
been supporters of similar plans.
HARooURT TAKEN TO TASK.
For instance there was Sir William Ver-
non Harcourt Heart Hearr who had
pounded away at the bill willfully, ,oblivious
TO tue fact that he had been party to a
measure that was open to every objection
that he urged against the present bill. The
opposition criticism was a sham,
and nothing more clearly showed the
disorganized state of the opponents of the
government. Their speeches we're mutu-
ally destructive. Sir William Vern on Har
court had told them that the bill would
excite the jealousy of non-buyers on ac-
count of the benefits the tenant buyers
received
GLADsToNE's DECLARATIONS.
Mr.. Gladstone had declared that the
whole of the boon given the tenants would
be absorbed by the landlords. Sir William
Vernon Harcourt objected to the hypothe-
cation of local rates for land purchase under
any circumstance, while Mr.. Parnell based
the whole Of his speech on the objection
tnaS the government were taking
EinH M auai1ahla Or
land purchase. Other opponents objected
to the state as landlord, while Mr.. Dillon
wanted the whole of thescongested districts,
compulsoiily bought, and the state to be-
come the landlords. Coherent opinion
upon the proposals of the bill did not exist
among the opposition. Still be believed
that many of their suggestions were de-
signed to assist the government.
PARNELL's PROPOSAL APPROVED.
He approved Mr.. Parnell's proposal In
favor of fiDing down rents, provided, first.
that this scheme be distinctly subordinated
to the main scheme for establishing peasant
owners, and second, that tenants, where
rents are fined down, be permanent.
Mr.. Dillon's suggestions regarding the
congested districts largely coincided with
the governments plans in regard to migra-
ton or emigration. It would rest with
the boards in the congested districts, not
with the government, which alternative
should be adopted. He did not believe
the bill would tend to drive out
landlords; ON the contrary, by
diminishing social friction, landlords
would be induced to live more frequently
in Ireland, with greater powers Of useful
ness
DANGER TO BRITISH CREDIT.
Dealing with the arguments regarding
the endapgering of British credit, he con-
tended that the measure obviated all
risks. He denied the possibility of general
reputation. Public opinion would not
support and local interests would not toll
crate reputation. In concluding he urged
that the bill had special merits. 1t pro-
poor years and inability to pay
which might arise to tho most thrifty aud
industrious tenant. 1t did something sub
stantial for the laboring classes, which bad
been excluded from every former bill.
HONESTY OF THE TENANTS
1t gave localities the strongest induce
ment to maintain the honesty
of the tenants. 1t offered
solution of the problem Of congested dis
tricts Taken as whole the bill was q
great boon to Ireland; such as she never
could confer upon herself and never could
get, except from the party now in power.
believe that better opportunity for carry
ing out policy favorable to land purchase
in Ireland would ever occur? II they would
fol get political contest and ask themselves
whether they were likely to find
scheme materially better they
would aid In the great work
which the government, without party pur-
pose, had taken in hand. lCheersl
The bill then passed its second reading by
vote Of 348 to 26S.