The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-02
Interesting Talk with Organizer Schnadhorst
on the Probable Electoral Programme
and Objects of the Convention.
Speech by Mr.. Morley on the Various
Questions Now at Issue in England.
Mr.. Gladstone and His Irish Policy Endorsed
by Resolution-Free Education Favored
The Eight-Hour Day Proposition.
ENGLISH LIBERALS.

Their Programme, Outlined by Mr..
Schnadhorst, Organizer of the Federation.
copyright. 1891. by the New York Associated Press
NEWCASTLE, Oct. 1.-The great annual
meeting of Liberal delegates from the party
associations of England and Wales. which
opened to-day is the last before the coming
general elections, and must. therefore, have
paramount influence upon the fortunes of
the party. The electoral programme must
be definitely declared and so formulated as
to be accepted by Liberal candidates
as unmistakably that of the party.
The party leaders. of course, know
how the federation is to be
guided-Mr. Schnadhorst. above all. as or
Ganizer of the federation. and the Moltke
of the liberal forces knows exactly what
their objective point Is, but to the mass of
the delegates even the agenda OF the meet
ing remains sunknown until the beginning of
each days sitting. In seeking for some
authoritative idea of the federation. it's
aim and the probable policy to be approved
at the present meeting. the Associated
Press correspondent went direct to the
main source-to Mr.. Schnadhorst-who
this morning accorded an Interview with
ready courtesy and spoke with frankness
on any point touched.
1T is O general misconceptIon," Mr.
Schnadhorst began, "even among the bulk
of the Liberals in this country, that our
annual federation congress is for the dis
cussion and settlement of party questions.
1t is not so. 1t is meeting not for discus
sion. but for declaration"
"But you must have set of definite reso-
lutjons to propose for acceptance OF rejec-
tionp
"Yes; but these have been exhaustively
discussed by. the local associations and de-
federation, weeks before the annual meet
ing. sends out circulars to everv local as
sociation asking information as to their
attitude upon questions known TO be IN
to the circulars are collected and compared
in council. When we find that the great
mass of the party have agreed upon q GER
tain course of action then the council 10
ready to embody the party's wishes
In a resolution. adding q new plank to
the recognized platform. Thus we have
adopted home rule. the establishment OF
the Welsh and Scotch churches. but we have
not accepted the eght-hour day or woman
suffrage. and some other measures which
have ardent advocates among Liberals.
We concentrate. as stated in the official
declaration of our objects, the whole
strength and resources of the party mon
the formation of such legislation as Is
Dy RrQeTal CODSeDt ue0iueO OI LILO UTbb I'LL.
portance. Wedeal with no unsettled aues-
tion."
"But it has been announced that you
will deal with the eight-hourd day ques-
tionp
Il am not snre in what form that will
come up. or W neither the meeting will deal
with it. Its definite adoption as a party
plank will depend upon the degree of una
Dimity reported on from the local ass0cia-
tions. of wbich the federation is the ulti-
Ia Il
for Us In congress here. with three thou
sand delegates assembled. to enter upon q
discussion of fresh principles"
Generally. then. only tested principles
are to be found expressed in your fedora
tion resolutions, and new questions are
ayoidedp
THAT is so: and. therefore, the pro-
gramme to be approved by the federation
this year Is much the same as last. 1t reaf-
firms. as the first and foremost plank.
home rule. Mr.. Gladstone will again de-
clare himself on our Irish policy when he
speaks tomorrow. The federation will
again declare, by resolution. it's perfect
trust in Mr.. Gladstone and its belief that
the Irish question can be effected
except by the establishment Of an Irish
legislative body for the management of ex-
clusively Irish affairs. The other resolu-
tions will be as gwen In the reports of
council They include q declaration that
Britain ought to a7oid entanglsment in
continental qnarrels. and should promote
principles of international arbitration;
that in any reform of the land laws. inst
and equitable taxation of land values and
ground rents is an essential condition;
that all restrictions upon free sale and
transfer of land should be abolished. and
more complete security given to tenants
for compensation: that compulsory powers
should be given to representative local
authorities In town and country, for the
acouisittOn of land for purpOses of all a Hot
ments and small holdings and for the pro-
vision of dwellings for working classes: local
elec ctoral reforms for county councils and To-
cal boards:the disesta blishment OF the Welsh
of the liquor traffic: the equalization of rhe
death duties on real and personal property;
better housing of the working classes: the
extension of the factory acts, and the
mending or ending of the House of Lords
that is our programme"