The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-06-24
LICENSES IN ENGLAND.
THE GOVERNMENT WITHDRAws
THE CLAUSE.

Opposition Elated.
LONDON, June 2S.-During tho sitting Of
the House of Commons this afternoon
William Henry Smith, the government
le ader, announced that the government had
decided to withdraw the licensing clauses of
the local taxation bill. Mr.. Smith said
the government had arrived at the conclu-
sion that it would be impossible to pass the
licensing clause of the bill in its entirety.
prolonged opposition cheersL The clause
contained three proposals:
l. That a certain portion of new taxation
on intoxicants be appropriated for the pur-
pose Of extinguishing licenses.
:. That power be conferred on county
councils to purchase and extinguish
licenses.
8. That the issue of new licenses be sus-
pended.
THE FIRST PROPOSAL ASsENTED TO.
The first proposal had received the assent
of the House, both on second reading and
in the committee stage, as far as England
was concerned. The government would,
therefore, proceed with the proposal as af-
fecting Scotland and Ireland.
With the second proposal the government
would not proceed, but they would ask the
House to allow money for the extinction of
licenses TO accumulate until parliament
should direct otherwise. Opposition
cheers.
The third proposal was approved by all
sections of the House and would remain.
In consonance with their decision, the
government would ask the House to agree
to an amendment whereby the moneys al
lotted to extingnished licenses should be in
vested or accumulated until an act be passed.
directing how to apply them. The minis
ters trusted that the practical result of the
change would be that the money would re-
main ear-marked tor the purpose of extin-
gushing licenses under any reform of the
licensing laws to which parliament might
assent.
ALTERATION IN THE TAXES.
Mr.. Caine asked whether the government
intended to introduce an alteration OF
licensing taxes. to which the amendment
might apply.
Mr.. Smith said he thought Mr.. Caine
ought to be satisfied to postpone such a
question until q later stage in the history of
parliament.
Sir Wilfred Lawson warned the min
listers that the opposition would be stead
fast to every form Of proposal to purchase
licenses.
Mr.. Gladstone expressed partial saJisfac-
ton at Mr.. Smiths announcement, but said
bhnN buO plOPOscu diucuulllbuJ tITbdlSutu
difficulty. 1t would be better for the gov
ernment to consider the propriety of giving
up the idea Of ear-marking money. 1t was
Of no practical effect. Its withdrawal would
in no wise weaken the position of the gov
ernment, and its entire withdrawal would
simplify the debate.
IN GOOD SPIRIT.
Mr. Smith said he appreciated the spirit
in which Mr.. Gladstone spoke, but the gov
ernment could not disregard the fact that
the principle of purchase had received the
approval of large majority Of the House.
[Cries of ''Only fourl"l At all events, the
money accumulated would be at the disposal
of parliament. ICries Of "Hearl hearI'l
Timothy Healey-It Is clear that the gov
ernment means to leave the money for the
extinction of licenses.
Mr.. Storri asked whether there was any
precedent for such proposal, and Mr..
Smith replied: "The thing has been done"
Mr.. Darlin-If the ear-marking proposal
be passed, will it in any way prevent par
Lament from dealing with the money as it
pleases"
Mr.. Smith-Nothing will prevent par
Lament from dealing with the money in
any way it chooses.
HARCoURT MAKES A POINT.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said he
ment did not approve the application Of the
money to the purchase OF licenses, the
accumulated funds could not be
used for any other purpose without
the assent Of the House of Lords. [Opposi-
tion cheers If that was the real meaning
of Mr.. Smiths proposal the government
had done nothing to shorten the session.
LCries Of "hear, hear" and cheers,1
Mr.. Smith thought that the government
xuOulA ha ahla IN oat atiafu tho Hdnaa m fha
subject. In the meantime he asked the
House to delay the discussion until the
amendment was reached.
CONTINUANCE OF BILLS.
Mr.. Smith moved the appointment of a
select committee to inquire into the subject
Of continuance of bills from session to
session. This was agreed to.
Replying to deputation OF republicans
in the lobby of the House of Commons to-
night, Mr.. Ritchie, president OF the local
government board, said the principle Of
compensation for the extinction of licenses
had been accepted by the House, and the
money accumulated would have to be de-
voted to that purpose.
Mr.. Goschen, chancellor of the exchequer,
concurred in this opinion, and Mr.. Smith
declared that the government hoped prac-
tically to carry out the principle Of COM
pensation,
There is a consensus Of opinion, irrespec-
tive Of party, that the governments new Ii
cense scheme will not shorten the session Of
parliament.
OPPOSITION OF THE LIBERALS.
The liberal leaders met tonight and de-
cided to continue their oppo sition, which,
as Mr.. Childers stated in the lobby tonight,
is based the ground that the measure is
reactionary and unconstitutional. 1t Is un-
deniable that the entire bill would have
been dropped but for Messrs. Goschen and
Ritchie, both of whom threatened to resign
if the bill was Withdrawn. On the other
hand Secretary Balfour insisted on deferring
the compensation clause, and the
government appealed to Lord Harrington,
who advised compromise.
Mr.. Caine, member for Barrow-Infirness,
with a view of testing the feeling of its
electorate on this subject resigned his seat
tonight and will seek reelection on an anti
compensation programme.
At meeting Of temperance leaders to-
night a manifesto was adopted which
declared that the governments scheme
Is worse than worthless. The plan pro-
posed, it says, is entirely misleading the
principle of compensation, being really
left untouched. The party will continue its
strenuous opposition to the measure relying
upon the country for support.
GUILTY OF vACCILLATIoN.
LONDON, June a., 4 A. M.-The Times.
commenting upon the governments change
OF programme with reference to the license
bill, says: 1.-The government has again