The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-12
Gladstone's Agricultural Followers Enter
tanned with a Breakfast Speech on Labor
Reforms BY the Grand Old Man.
NJ. Floquet Denounced as Liar for Say
ing Pope Plus K Was a FreemasOn.
Exciting Debate i'm the French Chamber That
Almost Resulted In q Duel-Lord Duffer-
in Appointed ambassador TO France.
CONFERENCE OF FARMERS.

lCopyrght, lSel 10y the New York Assoc1ated PreSSI
LONDON, Dec. I.-If the rural conference
which opened yesterday in London repre-
sented with absolute fidelity the spirit OF
the agricultural element of Great Britain
the country would be on the eve of q social
and political revolution. No sssemblage
of supposed representative men ever held
in England has displayed such envenomed
hostility to parsons and landowners. Dell
eGates boasting themselves az persistent
parson-tghters and denouncing squire
tyranny were cheered to the echo. and
their scornful allusions to the patroniz,ng
airs of the clergy towards rural inhabitants
were keenly relished. An occasional dele
gate feebly admitted that he had met lib
eral landlord or an open-miDded cleric,
but the entire sympathy of the conference
was reserved for the motto: Down with
the church and the landlord"
The speakers and the bulk of the dele<
gates were fluent and forcible in speechs
obviously not hodge in the rough, bun
rather hodge trained TO spout in dissenting
conventicles. Mr.. Schnadhorst has done
nothing more clever during his career as q
wire-puller than his cleaning from the
mass of inchoate intelligence of rural Eng
land these men so strongly radical, and
setting them up as representative voices.
But 1t would be misleading to infer from
the character of the conference that the
rural poor have deserted the church en-
masse or have become infused with politi-
cal designs againt the squirearchy. Tho
conferences. while indicating clearly and
actively an existent force TO be accounted
xr;< <h ;,,f q fha inn o1a ,nna re
est importance to its foreshadowing the
future agricultural policy. When tho
spirit of the delegates permeates the elect
orato the hereditary privileges of land
lordism and churchism will vanish.
Mr.. Gladstone's speech to-day was dis
tinct disappointment. many delegates exc
pecting that a definite assurance in regard
to the Liberal progress would be declared,
and would include some of their aspira-
tions Some men who urged the Immedl-
ate application TO England of the princI-
pies of fair play tor rent. fixity of tenure
and free sale, and others who wanted the
abolition of primogeniture and limitation
of the size of estates. got only enlarged
illusions TO the Newcastle programme.
Mr.. Gladstone spoke throughout as q
leader who was sympathetic, but doomed
not 10 lead in the struggle In which his
hearers were most concerned. The chair
mans incidental reference TO Mr.. Glad
stones projected trip to BiarrltZa, "a
journey to that beautiful land" was misin-
terpreted by the audience and brought
tears TO many eyes. Mr.. Gladstone's own
allusion to the limitation of his physical
powers and his sensibility of the disad-
vantage In which his party was placed ow-
ing TO his advanced years. caused renewed
many cries of No" You will have q long
life yet." etc.
MIR. GLADsToNE's SPEECH.
Mr.. Gladstone's speech was delivered &C
a breakfast this morning. at which four
hundred of the delegates were present.
The great Liberal leader was accom-
panied by his wife, whose devotion to
her husband both In his domestic and po-
litical life has become proverbial. When
Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone entered the great
room in which the breakfast was given
there was q scene of great enthusiasm. The
delegates rose to their feet and with one
voice cheered their leader again and again.
After the delegates and their guests had
partaken of the breakfast Mr.. Gladstone
addressed them. he said he was re-
joiced to see that the deliberations
of the conference were attended
with unanim,sy, moderation and de-
cisIon, which. he declared. were sure
precursors of victory. Dir. Gladstone said
he thought the time had come for the COM
mencement of continuous efforts TO bring
about rural reforms, and. he added, those
efforts ought not TO be terminated until
their just ends had been attained. Speak
ing on the subject of workingmen. Mr..
Gladstone said the labor question had q
wide range. Home rule was q part of the
labor controversy, as the bulk of those in
whose behalf they were struggling were
laborers or small farmers The condition
OF rural laborers was a most urgent ques-
tion. The proof of this statement lay in the
constant mi grafton of these laborers. Every
endeavor ought to be made TO keep the
laborers at home. He hoped to see labor
candidates for seats In Parliament increase
in number. They ought not TO be saddled
with frightful election expenses. Mr..
Gladstone enforced upon his hearers the
necessity for parish councils. which, he
maintained, were a necessary complement
to local government. lie held that the
laborer should have free access to land,
ana that local authorities ought 10 be
given power to purchase or lease land for
this purpose.
Mr.. Gladstone urged the abolition of the
common law against conspiracy. This law,
he said, had given rise TO proceedings that
were adverse TO the Liberties of the people.
Speaking with particular reference TO this
law. Mr.. Gladstone said: I'VE must pro-
vide for the rural population of Great
Britain as we'll as for the same class in Ire
land. Nothing must be q CRIME which re-
lates TO the prosecution of labor interests.
or because it Is done by q com binatlon of
men unless it Is an oifense against the
letter and the spirit of the law" Mr.. Glad
stone strongly ADVOCATED that parish coun-
ellis should be charged with control of par
ish charities the care of roads and com.
mons. and of rights of way. They should
also see that schools and dwellings were in
proper sanitary condition. He said that
some scheme ought TO be devised TO offer
the laborer. after n long and blameless life.
something better than the work-h house.
Until that was done, society would not
have discharged its duties aud the aims of
the present conference would not be fully
attained.
Mr.. Gladstone and his wife will start ON
their trip tuesday morning and will reach
Paris Tuesday evening. Several French
free-trade leaders. who have been beseech-
ing for n conference with Mr.. Gladstone on
the subject of international tariffs. will
have an opportunity TO see him, although
he gives no promise of ID speech. His
medical adviser. sir Andrew Clarke inslsts
upon perfect rest. Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone
proceed from Paris to Biarritz on Wednes-
day.
The Cabinet held prolonged council to-
day and will not meet again until the new
year. when they Will prepare for the OPEN
ing of Parliament Mr.. Ritchie President
of the Local Government Board who ia III
was the only member absent to-day. After
the council Niscount Cross Mr.. Stanhope
and Sir Michael Hicks Beach went together
TO tho Carlton Club. where. IN the course Of