The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-10-08
GREAT LIBERAL CONGRESS-
GREAT ENTHUSIASM AND EXCITEMENT
CAUSED BY THE SPEECHES.
Sir Winfred Lawson's Resolution Recon-.
mending the Adjustment of the House
of Lords Adopted by the Convention
With Prolonged Applause,

NEW CASTLE, England, Oct. 2.-The
annual meeting of the National Liber-
al Federation formally assembled in
the town hall about 10 O'Clock this
morning. Right Hon. Sir George
Trevalyn introduced a resolution con-
demning the registration laws, which
laws, he declared, excluded many
really qualified voters from the polls.
The resolution further declared in
favor of shorter sessions of par
lament, that all elections should
be held upon the same day, and
recognized the principle of paying
members of the house of commons as
being the only means of securing an
adequate representation of the work
ing class in parliament. All the pro-
posals met with the approval of the
delegates, and as evidence of the fact,
loud cheers and other forms of vigor-
GUS applause greeted their introduce
ton. In speaking of the resolutions
Sir George pointed out the crying
abuses which now infested the cleo
toral system of the British Isles, and
again urged shorter parliament and
the payment Of the parliamentary
representatives at the rate of 800
pounds per year. Samuel Storey, M.
p, seconded Sir George Trevalyn's
suggestions, and in so doing warmly
denounced system which, he said,
imposed every difficulty between
man and his undoubted right to share
in the management of his country's
affairs. The resolutions were then
passed unanimously.
The marquis of Ripon was the next
speaker. The marquis reviewed the
present condition of the rural popula-
tion of Great Britain, paying particu-
lar attention to the abuses to which
farm laborers and small farmers are
suffering. AT the close OF this pre-
liminary grafton, the marquis pre-
sented resolution to the effect that
the condition of the rural population
is such as TO require immediate atten-
ton upon the part of parliament. Ac-
cording to the speaker, it was of pri-
mary Importance that parliament
should provide for the establishment
of district and parish councils, or To-
cal governing bodies, under some
such title, to attend to the district
and parish matters of their vicinity.
The members of these committees he
suggested, should be elected by a
popular vote. The Marquis also held
that parliament should concede full
and broad powers to the local
governing authorities to acquire
and to hold land, for the pur-
pose of making allotments OF
small buildings for villages, for places
of worship Of all creeds and denomi-
nations; for laborers' dwellings and
for other proper public purposes. The
preamble and resolutions bearing
upon the subjects of the Marquis O
Ripon's discourse were passed amid {
scene of enthusiasm.
Sir Wilfried Lawson, Member 0
Parliament, the great temperance adj
vocate and arch enemy of the pub
licans of Great Britain, against whom
as president of the United Kingdom
Alliance for the Suppression of the
Liquor Traffic, he has introduced a
number of bills on the licens.
ing system, was next recognized
and warmly welcomed. Mr.. Wilfred
Samson aroused considerable enthusi.
asm among the delegates by submit.
ting resolutions re-affirming the
declarations of the council of the Ma.
tional Federation in favor of mending
or ending prolonged cheers) the
House of Lords (cheering). The res.
olutions also declared in regard tc
public house regulations, and advo
Gated thorough reform of the laws
a repeal of the laws of primogeni-
ture and entail; the enfranchise
ment of lease holders and the
re-establishment of the Church O
Scotland. After introducing these
resolutions, Sir Wilfred spoke with
reference to the section, regarding the
house Of lords. He said, "My owl
personal opinion is that the period fol
mending the house of lords is passed
[cheers] and i advise it's complete
adjustment" Tremendous APP
plause. The resolutions were adopt
ed with hearty cheers and the con
gress then adjourned for well earned
refreshments.