The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-11-27
he Programme of the English
Tories.

The proceedings of the meeting of the
National Union of Conservative Associa-
tions at Birmingham probably foreshadow
pretty accurately the issues which the Con-
seryatives will seek to push to the front at
the next general election and the general
line along which they will fight the battle.
The attendance was large, as befitted SO
important an occasion, and for the most
part the proceedings were harmonious.
The tendency of the Conservatives to look
with favor upon woman's suffrage-a ten
dency attributable in part, at least, to the
valuable assistance that they have received
In their campaigns from the Primrose
Leaguers-was emphasized by resolution
declaring that when the subject of the rep
resentation of the people was reopened in
Parliament the claims of women should
receive serious consideration. There
was unanimous protest against the
Gladstonian programme of disestablishing
the church in Wales, and general feeling
that something should be done to remedy
the inequalities of representation In Par
lament. But by far 1.-THE most significant
and important action of the conference was
the decision to subordinate the bill to
extend local government In Ireland at the
coming session.of Parliament to measure
applying tie same principles of land pur-
chase to England that have been adopted
for Ireland. This is radical change of
programme for the government had prac-
tically pledged itself to make the Irish
local government bill the most prominent
feature OF their policy in the next session
OF Parliament. The change is undoubtedly
due to the feeling that there are more votes
In land purchase bill which will enable
English laborers to become owners
OF small pieces of land on
easy terms than there possibly can be
In any Irish local government extension
measure. This measure is really the Tory
bid for the labor vote. more especially the
vote of the agricultural laborers, who have
been drifting into the Gladstonian ranks
though 1t was believed when they were
enfranchised that their employers, who
are for the most part Tories, would be
able to turn their suffrages over to that
party. The anxiety of the Tories concern
ing this vote cropped out frequently at the
meeting and there were several sops
thrown to 1t. One resolution pledged the
sympathy and encouragement of the Con-
servatives to bona fde labor candidates.
Another declared in favor of the establish
ment OF a labor bureau. Still another
ostentatiously praised Lord Salisbury for
the number of workingmen whom he had
appointed to be prison inspectors. But
the action of transcendant Importance in
this connection was the brushing aside of
the Irish government bill to make room for
the land purchase bill to give every agricul-
tural laborer farm. 1t is pretty tempt
Ing bait, and the Gladstonians are going to
have good deal of difficulty to find some
thing more attractive. The more natural
anlliation OF the laboring men is doubtless
with the Gladst0nians. The Gladstonians
are really more In sympathy with them.
But this promise Of farm-for that is
about what it amounts to-is likely To
prove very seductive. The modus operan.
az OF the measure will be the same as that
OF the Irish land purchase bill. The gov
eminent will practically loan to the labor
or the amount needed to enable him TO pur-
chase small tract of land, securing itself
by mortgage upon the land. IL involves
very little risk to the government, but
1t has in 1t great possibilities 10 the way of
making Conservative voters. not only for
the next campaign BAL permanently: for
the tendency Of men when thew becoma
land owners In England Is to adhere to the
conservative party, as the better guardian
OF the rights of landed proprietors. 1t will
DC interesting to see in what way
the Gladstonians will meet this
bid, for both parties are angling
ior the labor vote, feeling that the result
Oh the next election is largely In their
hands.
The speech Of the Premier. Lord Sails
bury, which was eagerly looked forward
70, was somewhat CT disappointment.
Inc Premier was free enough in his crlti-
cisms OF the Gladstonian policy. but he
lacked frankness and de6niteness In
stating his own. He admitted tho,
the House of Lords needed some ra.
forming, but In what particulars he ne
elected to say. He accused Gladstone 30
trying to get support for an indefinite and
underlined home rule measure, but in re-
gard to the attitude Of the Conservatives
toward any measure of home rule he was
silent, indeed his speech foreshadowed
little In regard to the Conservative policy
except that 1t would be one of opposition
TO the Gladstonians. One must turn to the
proceedings of the Union to get any inkling
Oh what the Conservatives hive it In their
reaos to set before the people, on which to
ask for their SURFACES.