The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-25
FREE SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND.
Liberals Glad I hat the Conservatives
Have Committed Themselves.

LlDeTalS 1ldu / nat the conservatives
Have Committed Themselves.
copyrighted. 1891. By the Nero York associated
PreSs.l
LONDON, April PA free exchange Of
views among the liberals in the lobbies Of
the House Of Commons to-day showed an
absolute unanimity of congratulation upon
the fact that the conservatives have COM
mitted themselves to free education, but
there was much diversity Of opinion
as to how the new departure would
affect the party's future. No one doubts
that the government has made a coup
with view to the general election. The
conservatives who, in their inner hearts
dislike the measure, accept il because of
their desire TO associate the name OF the
party with an immense boon TO town
workingmen aud rural laborers; but the
liberals reason that the tory adoption Of
the proposals which they originated and
long fought for cannot deprive them Of
claiming the credit for the ultimate sue
cess OF their scheme.
CHANCES FOR A SPLIT.
The opposition has further and stronger
containing, as il does, abundant possibilities
for party disruption and widespread
national discomfort. From n tactical point
of view the unionists could not have found
better cry to go to the country with than
free education. Equally from tactical point
OF view, it could not be worse for them If 4,
after the liberals accepted the princi
pie of the bill, coalition of tory
malcontents with the mass of the liberals
threw out the measure on question relating
to popular control Of the schools, or inter-
ference with denominational privileges. As
far as the views of the liberals have been
ascertained, the bill will be opposed unless
it comedies TO the rate payers power to elect
representatives in the managing boars of all
schools, including voluntary aud denomina-
tional.
ATTACKED BY THE STANDARD.
The Standard strongly attacks free
education. 1t says: The ministers have
done themselves and their friends an i'll
turn in adopting the idea Free education
may not abolish the church schools forth
with, but the process will only be delayed
IL will impose a heavy aud uncailed for
| burden upon the nation. The period Of
surprise surpluses cannot continue i'm
definitely. We are within the mark In say
ing that the adoption OF free education will
be equivalent to a permanent addition Of
three and half pence TO the income tax.
In other respects than this, thu plan for
squandering the surplus budget is as agree
able and as clever as any that have been
presented by Mr.. Goscheu."
SOME WILLING TO ACCEPT IT.
A small section Of the opposition appear
to be willing to accept Mr.. Goschen's pro-
posal in any form, arguing that free schools
| must ultimately imply popular control
But when party ideas, which are nov
rather in solution, crystalline under the
pressure of party necessity, it is inevitable
that the liberals will present the
| solidest opposition to the measure un-
| less representative local control Is Its guild
Ing spirit. II a similar bill had been presented
| by the liberal government its leading pro-
posals would have been for the institution
of school boards in every parish. with
church schools to be managed by these
boards. The conservative government dare
| not attempt to interfere with the clergy,
| who now control the schools in over 10000
| parishes, nor will Mr.. Goschen take the risk
Of interfering with the control of the
UNCONVENTIONAL schools, already drawing
| over $4,000 from the imperial
exchequer. According to highly placed
| information the cabinet plans, as far
| as stated, simply involve free educa-
| ton in the lower standards assisted educa-
| ton in the higher standards, and increa sed
| grants to the denomnational schools. No
| change Ia to be made In the system of CON
| troll excepting that the parents of children
attending schools shall have the power to
elect part of the board. This will suit the
| clerical sections, but will arouse the strong
| est opposition Of the liberals. The untim ely
| jubllation OF conservatives over the old
| truckers 'dishing" their opponents is likely
| TO find a disastrous check which will weaken
their position on the eve of the dissolution.