Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-02
THE LIBERAL PLATFORM.
.it'SEiii Be Formulated by the Federation
Congress Now in session-The Ideas OF
the organizer-Only Settled Party Priu-
ciples to Be Included.

Congress Now in Session-The Ideas nj
the organizer-OnIy Settled Party Priu.
ciples to Be Included.
COPYRIGHT. 1891. BY THE NEW YORK ASSOCIATED
PREss.l
NEWCASTLE, Oct. 1.-The great a annual
meeting OF Liberal delegates from the party
assoclatlons In 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
dennltely be declared and so formulated as
TO be accepted by Liberal candidates as nm.
mlstakably that of the party. Yet during
the past few days, it has been possible to
CLEAN but little from the Liberal papers and
not much from the current talk and float
ing opinion of party circles, as to what the
federated delegates would do.
The party leaders, of course, know how the
Federation is to be guided. Mr.. Schnad-
horst, above all, as organizer of the Federa-
tlon and the Moltke of the Liberal forces,
knows exactly what their objective point is,
Out TO the mass of the delegates even the
purpose OF the meeting remains unknown
until the beginning of each days sitting.
In seeking for some authoritative idea of
tne Federation, press correspondent went
dlrecJ to the main source-to Mr. Schnad-
horst
The Purpose Is a Party Declaration.
"It is q general misconception," Mr..
Schnadhorst began, "even among the bulk
of the Liberals in this country that our an
nual Federation is for the discussion and
settlement of party questions. 1t is not so.
1t Is meeting, not for discussion, but for
declaration"
Q. But you must have a set of definite res
tions?
A. Yes, but these have been exhaustiyely
discussed by the local associations and de-
clded upon by them. The Council of the
Federation, weeks before the annual meet
ing, sends out circulars to every local asso-
c1ation asking Information as to their atti-
tude upon the questions known to be inter-
eSting the party at large The replies to the
circulars are collected and compared in
council. When we find that the great mass
OF the party have agreed npon certain
course of action, then the council is ready
to embody the party's wishes in resolu-
tlon, adding new plank to the recognized
platform. Thus we have adopted home rule
and the disestablishment of the Welsh and
scotch churches; but we have not accepted
the eight-hour day, or woman suffrage, and
some other measures which have ardent ad-
vocates among Liberals.
All Unsettled Questions Ignored.
"We concentrate, as stated in the declara-
tion of our objects. the whole strength and
resources of the party upon the formation of
such legislation as is by general consent
deemed of the first Importance. We deal
with no unsettled question:
Q. But it has been announced that you will
deal with the eight-hour day question:
A. l cannot tell you yet how the council
may determine upon treating the eight-hour
question; Its definite adoption as q party
plank will depend upon the degree of unan-
unity reported on from the local associa
tions, of which the Federation is the ulti-
mate voice. 1t would be quite impossible
for us, in congress here, with the 5000 dele
gates assembled, to enter upon discussion
of fresh principles
Q. You said 5000 delegates?
A. Yes; from England and Wales. The
Scotch have kindred organizations of their
own.
O. Your organization has considerable
points of contrast with the American eau.
Gus system?
A. Well, l never could fathom that sys-
TEN. Our organisation has arisen as we felt
it necessary-grown through and become
adapted to the needs of English political
life We are in perfect touch with the whole
body of Liberal electors, and the existence
of the Federation serves to harmonize the
action of the party as whole, and give it
the strength that comes from unity.
What the Liberal Platform Will Be.
Q. Generally, then, only tested principles
are to be found expressed in your Fedora
ton resolutions, and new questions are
avoided?
A. That is so; therefore the programme to
be approved by the Federation this year is
much the same as last 1t reaffirms as the
first and foremost plank home rule. Mr..
Gladstone will again declare himself on our
Irish policy when he speaks tomorrow. The |
Federation will again declare by resolution |
is perfect trust in fMr. Gladstone and its |
belief that no wise or durable settlement of !
I'm T,,icl ha fo1 hNrl
The establishment of an Irish legislative
body for the management of exclusively |
Irish affairs. |
"The other resolutions will be as given in |
The reports of the council. They include a |
that Britain ought to avoid en- |
anglement in continental quarrels, and |
should promote principles of international |
that in any reform of the land |
avs u Just and equitable taxation of land |
values and ground rents is an essential con- |
lition local electoral reforms for country |
and local boards; the disestablish- |
nent of the Welsh and Scotch churches: di- |
'ect popular veto on the liquor traffic; the |
equalization of the death duties upon real |
md personal property; better housing of |
Lcts and the mending or ending of the House |
If Lords-that is our programme"
The Great Caucus Begins.
The formal opening of the great National |
LIBERAL Federation Congress occurred here |
o-day So great is the crowd gathered to
rect Mr.. Gladstone that the full police
orce is on duty, and reinforcements of po-
ice have been drafted in from the country
districts, and, though large numbers of spe-
ial constables have been sworn in, the mu-
Iicipal authorities have been compelled to
lave powerful wood and iron barriers
rected across the principal streets in order
o keep the route clear for the carriages of
ir Gladstone and the Reception Commit
ee.
The Town Hall was packed to the doors
nd almost to the roof when the congress
vas formally opened at 2oclock this after
oon. Some idea of the scope of the con-
ress can be gathered from the fact that no
ess than lis delegates, to say nothing of dis
made arrangements to address the congress
efore it closes. Nearly 50 members of Par
lament will be present.
Rt Hon. j ohm Morley addressedthe conven-
ion, many of thefamous chiefs of the Lib
raj party occupying the platform, includ-
ng Francis Schandhorst, the caucus chief |
Who .organiZed the National Federation.
The Organizer of the Federation.
Mr.. Schnadhorst has been prominent in
liberal politics since 1873, and has probably
one more to organize victory for the Lib
rails than any other man living. He as
ften been invited to become member of
he House of Commons, but has always re-
nsed. 1t is said, however, that he may re-
ansider this determination at the coming
eneral election, for he is young man yet.
Is each of the 5000 delegates represents a
thousand voters, the congress represents