The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-08
BALF0UR AND IRELAND.
THE Problem OF IRISH COUNTY
GOVRRNM s. MT.

The Campaign to Open on Monday at
Plymouth-The Cabinet Pledged to
Balfour's Plan-The Main Feature Will
be the Franchise-The Legislativ Q
Programme Incomplete-Ihe Opposi-
ton Not Alarmed.
Copyright 1891, By the N. Y. associated Press)
LONDON, Aug 7.--The close Of the session
of parliament brings to the ministers only
a brief cessation of work, and to the poll
ticians only a short respite for speech max
ing. The recess will be the liveliest expe-
rienced in many years. each side
working in view Of the fact that it will
be the last campaign before the dissolution
of parliament. Secretary Balfour will open
the campaign on Monday at Plymouth,
when 1t is expected he will give a further
inkling OF his solution of the problem of the
Irish county government, to which the
cabinet is now distinctly pledged. Since
the prorogatIon speech announced that
the coming session would deal with ques-
tions already elaborated, all rumors of an
immediate general election have ceased.
THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME INCOMPLETE.
The members know that the legislative
programme mentioned in the queens speech
will be resumed next year. IL is possible
even now to predict with exaotitu ie upon
what legislative achievement the cabinet
finally hopes to take the judgment of the
country. Besides the Irish local bill the min
isters have perfected an important English
measure developing the existing system of
local government by creating district coun-
ellis, and bills to assist the purchase of land
in small allotments, and amendments in
favor OF the workmen Of the Law affecting
the liability of employers will reappear
with every chance of passing.
THE OPPOSITION NOT ALARMED
The opposition was quite prepared to see
the government succeed in carrying these
and other minor popular measures without
fearing that the cabinet will be thereby so
strengthened as to avert defeat on an ap-
peal 10 the country. The burden of the
work Of the recess rests upon Secretary
Balfour. In his Irish local government bill
IL is understood the main feature
will be the franchise, the electors of the
county boards being confined to persons
actually paying rates. The measure will
bear the smallest possible resemblance to a
home-rule ensure. The leading principle
will prevent the boards created under its
provisions from being controlled by the
masses.
AN ANTIPARNELLITE LEADER.
Mr.. Dillon, while here, conferred un-
ceasingly with the Parnellites with a view of
ending the schism In the Irish party. He
found them resolutely opposed to Mr.. Par
nelPs retirement as a condition Of reunion.
Several intimated their intention to
withdraw from public life. but during
the tenure Of their places IN the House of
Commons they will adhere to their old
leader. The meeting of Messrs. Dillon.
O'Brien, MCCARTHY and Sexton to deliberate
on the future leadership of the party re-
suited in an agreement that Mr.. Dillon
should be formally invested with the leader
ship when parliament re-assembles.
DILLON TO BE THE LEADER.
Meanwhile Mr.. Mccarthy will be nominal
chief, though Mr.. Dillon will be the virtual
leader. This arrangement settles the rumors
ascribi1g to Mr.. Sexton an Intention to
contest the presidency of the party
Lord Salisbury has instructed his solicitor
to press the bankruptcy case against Mr..
O'Brien to the earliest possible conclusion.
Besides Lord Salisbury, another claimant.
George Bolton. to whom a jury awarded
$4,000 damages in a libel action against
Mr. O'Brien some years ago, has revived
his demand. 1t is plain that the objects of
the suits is to disqualify Mr.. OBrien for
parliamentary life