Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-03


that they might still rely am quoting his
sacred words-on the play of other parts of
the Constitution. There is but one other
| part of the Constitution that could possibly
perform such a prank as to interpose itself
between the deliberate Judgment of the ma
tion and the incorporation of the judgment
in the form of law, and that is the House
Of Lords.
THE PEERS ON DANGEROUS GROUNDS.
'sThev tried that game in 1881 throughout
the proceedings on the reform bill. The
consequence was they had to undergo a
most painful humiliation, as they only sue
ceeded in delaying the measure a year, and
they themselves destroyed whatever conf
dence the people then had in them.
81 hope and believe that the Lords will
not accept the deplorable suggestion of the
Premier. But should they be Seduced they
will themselves be the first to repent: and
those who address you from this platform
will not tell YOU then that the question of
the House of Lords is remote, but they will
tell you that it shall have precedence over
every other question, because then upon
that alone will depend the question
whether the country is selfgoverning or
whether there is a power, not upon or be-
hind the throne, but between the throne
and the people, able to stop the action of
the constitutional machine which has now
been perfected or brought nearer to perfec-
tiOn by the labors, struggles, zeal and
wisdom of many generations.
In regard to registration reform, Mr..
Gladstone admitted that there was much to
be said in favor of giving it a forward place
on the Liberal platform.
ON THE LABOR QUESTION.
"Another question undoubtedly forcing
| itself upon our attention. continued Mr.
| Gladstone, ''can be summed up in a single
word-labor. [Cheers.] The great en-
| franchisement of 1885 added 100000 to
| the constituency, but much remains to be
| done. Labor representation in Parliament
must be extended. AS far as it has gone it
has been thoroughly satisfactory and has
| done enormous good
can hardly say it admits of an addition
of moral force An addition of numerical
force is not only desirable, but it is in the
highest degree urgent. [Cheers. Nothing
proves more distinctly the soundness of the
heart and mind of the people of England
than the choice made of labor representa-
tives. [Cheersl. Let us give them scope
to choose few more men of the same kind
not a few, but a good many. Those
charged with the central management of
affairs of the party will exhibit the utmost
disposition TO assist wherever a constitu-
encv is found favorable to the claims of a
labor candidate.
If we have more labor candidates certain
consequences will follow. Thus, the neces-
sary expenses of elections should not be
drawn from the pockets of the candidates,
but should be charged upon the rate PAYERS
as public function.
THE HOURS OF TOLL.
Coming to the difficult questions lately
raised IN regard to the hours of labor, L view |
with satisfaction and sympathy and with |
the liveliest pleasure the large reductions |
in the amount of toll exacted which my |
fellow-citizens have achieved in the last 20 |
years. 1 wish well to all further reductions |
that it may be possible to achieve without |
violation of the rights of any man. |
[CEeers wish, in qualified manner, TO |
see progress in such changes in the lot of |
labor. That lot is certain to continue |
sufficiently severe, and it ought to be a |
subject for unmixed JOY whenever it can be |
mitigated by means involving no violation |
of the principle of liberty. [Cheers.l
Before asserting to the principle of |
compulsory law binding laborers to reduce |
labor to a certain number of hours daily, 1 |
am glad to be assured and to see demon |
stration that those who now receive for long |
hours low wages are to receive at least in |
full those wages for shorter hours Hear, |
hear 1t is but an act of common friend |
ship to caution our fellow cOuntrYmen that |
it will require more than a mere majority
of all the trades highly organized-more
than mere majority of all the trades over
the country-so to bind the minority that
they shall be subject to coercive penal pro-
ceedings.
HOME RULE FOR IRELAND.
"a have noticed that instead of tiring of |
it meetings have always hailed any mention |
I Al I
cause the people are conscious that other |
work will be delayed until this is dealt |
with. Our opponents say that the Govern
meHt deserves well of the country, for they |
are going to introduce local government |
bill for Ireland, and their policy in Ireland
has been successful. l am glad that thev
promi e to introduce the bill, but it is
deathbed repentance.
''Such isthe clemency the Liberal party
L am sure their resolution will be welcomed
with open arms l must admit, however
that the reason | rejoice is that local gov
ernment must assist ireland to obtain ma
tional rights 1t is certain that popularity |
elected local bodies will be a new focus of
thought, you may say of excitement and
agitation, but at any rate, they will be
something tending to the direction of the
fulfillment of the national wish. We shall
see, as we have already seen in the case of
free education and other reforms, with what
sort of smile and cOuntenance the Tories
will present local government, but We know
the bill will not be a real affirmation of the
principle of equal rights.
WHAT TORIES CALL CRIME
In combating the assertion that the Gov
ernment of Ireland had been a success, Mr..
Gladstone reminded his hearers at length
that what the Government called crime in
Ireland was agrarian combination to secure
the tenants undetermined but often very
real rights No doubt these combinations
sometimes developed real crime, but the
Government had not waited for the develop
ment OF the crime. Instead, they had inter
fered with private liberty in a manner that
would not be tolerated in moment in this
They dealt at length in statistics of agra
rian crime in ireland for the purpose of
that under their regime such
crime was reduced by one-sixth as against
the boasted one-half by the present admin
istration. They admitted that there was
an increase after the Liberal administration,
but said that was due to the exceptional
distress in 1866 and incapacity of the ten
ants to pay rent. Parliament was en-
treated and coniured to make some pro-
vision to alleviate the distress, but abso-
lutely refused. That was the sole cause of
the increase.
ONLY ONE CRIME IMPORTANT.
In the eyes of the present Government no
crime is important unless it affects the col
lection of landlords rents. Another reason
for the increased observance of the law in
Ireland is the friendship of the people of
Great Britain. Irishmen have Interpreted