The record-union., 1891-10-03
Special to the REcoRD-UN1ox.

Special TO the RECoRD-UNIoN.
NEWCASTLE, Oct. 2.-Over 1000 per-
sons We're packed in the Tyneside Thea
ter tonight to h ear Gladstone. The ap-
pearance of the noted statesman and his
wife was the signal for prolonged ova-
ton, with which Gladstone was obvi-
ously delighted. When quiet was re-
stored Or. Watson moved and Burt sec
onded a resolution expressing affection
for and undiminished confidence in
Gladstone. The resolution was carried
with renewed acclanlations. When the
cheering subsided Gladstone rose to
speak.
Looking back to 1886 we saw he
said, ''what was believed TO be crushing
Liberal defeat. But during the years
since elapsed the horizon has frightened.
There are many precursors of certain vic
tory, and that victory cannot be far dis
tant Much has been said about the late
conversation of the national debt. All
the saving thereon, and more, has al
ready been absorbed and effaced from
the public accounts, not only by enor-
NOUS increases in the charge for supply
and the necessary civil rates of the coun-
try, but also by the enormous increase in
the naval and military expenditures.
Il should like to have spoken on the
Governments foreign policy, which had
many domestic results, but the policy of
the present administration has been well
nigh the inverse and reverse of that of
Lord BeaconSfeld. Just as the Liberals
endeavored to make the work of the
BeacOnstield administration different.
because they thought 1t was doing i'll, so
have they striven to make the work Of
the present administration in its foreign
poIlcy easy, because they thought, as far
as the information went, that its spirit
had undergone a beneficial change. I
shall, indeed, rejoice if before the day
comes for the present administration to
give up the ghost, it will be possible f4r
Lord Salisbury to make an effort to re-
lleVe us Of the burdensOme and embar-
RAISING occupation of Egypt, which, as
long as it lasts. must be cause of weak
ness"
Gladstone spoke a word of congratula-
ton and hope IN regard to the temper
ance question, reviewing the work and
added: Those approaching my period of
lie may not witness it, but many Of you
Will see a thorough and effective reform
OF the laws connected with the traffic in
alcohol, with the acknowledgement of the
right OF local populations to settle the
question whether within their borders
:.
Touching the question of the oblitera-
ton of hereditary peers, Gladstone said
1t IS at present rather in the shade, owing
to the priority of the claims of the sub
jects. lie should not be sorry if it
would remain in the shade longer, pro-
ylded an extra lease were gained by its
forbearance and wisdom in dealing with
public sentiment. He warned the House
Of Lords, however, that it might make
the mattera burning question if the peers
were tempted to listen to the counsel
given by Lord Salisbury when he con-
templated the possibility of a Liberal
victory, and reminded them that all
would not be over, even if the Commons
should pass the home rule BILL and the
House of Lords should interpose itself be-
tween th9 judgment Of the nation and the
incorporation Of that judgment in the
form Of law.
The Lords tried that game in 1881
throughout the proceedings on the reform
bill and underwent humiliation. Glad
stone himself, in 1860 and 1861, had the
felicity, or intelicity, to be in conflict
with the Lords. "We had,' he said "a
great battle upon the repeal of paper
duties, one Of the most difficult and i'm
portant questions in the whole free trade
controversy. You know what the conse-
quenceS have been in the establishment
Of free press, which has done more than
any other single cause to educate the
country, and TO which we mainly owe the
vast extension of the franchise. Should
the Lords be Seduced to accept the de-
plorable suggestion of Salisbury, they
themselves will be the first to repent it,"
Regarding registration reform, Glad
stone said there was much in favor of Civ
ing it a forward place on the Liberal plat
form. Coming down to the question of
labor, he said the labor representation in
Parliament must be extended. Those
charged with the central management of
affairs of the party will exhibit the ut
most disposition TO assist wherever the
constituency is found favorable to the
claims OF q labor candidate. The con-
stituencies must be the cost of the resi-
dences of these labor representatives in
London. Nothing can be clearer than the
title Of such members to receive such aid
from the public treasury as will enable
them to discharge the task imposed upon
them for public benefit. Furthermore. it
IS among the Indispensable duties of the
Liberal party, when IN power. to eStab-
lish district and parish councils to bring
self-goYernment to the door of the labor
ing man throughout the country. and to
enact compulsory powers enabling suita-
ble bodies to acquire land, in order to
place the rural population in nearer rela-
tiOns TO use and profit from the land thew
have so long titled for the benefit Of
others.
coming Gown to the question Of hours
of labor, Gladstone said he views with
satisfaction the large reductions in the
amount Of toll eXacted which his fellow
citizens had achieved in the last twenty
years. lie wished well to all further re-
ductions it may be possible TO achieve
without violation of the rights of any
man. Before asserting to the principle
Of a compulsory law bidding laborers to
reduce the labor to a certain number of
hours daily, he was glad 10 see a demon
Str2tlon That those who now received low
wages for long hours are to receive at
least those wages for shorter hours. He
would give no absolute Judgment upon
the question, but recommended much
clrcumspection, much careful examina-
ton, before proceeding with steps which
may prove irretrievable; therefore it
ought not to be prematurely adopted.
Speaking OF the Irish question, Mr..
Gladstone said: Il am glad their oppo-
nents propose to introduce the local-cov-
ernment bill but it is a death-bed re-
pentance. For this is the sixth year of
Parliament and the Government has
pledged itself not to adopt coercion. and
not TO use British credit to purchase Irish
lands; also TO introduce local-govern-
ment bill. They have spent five years
breaking two of these pledges. Now in
GTtic3tto morris they seek to redeem the
remaining pledge. Sucn is the clemency
of the Liberal party, / am sure their res
olution will be received with open arms.
/ admit, however, that the reason / re-