The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-04
Mr., Gladstone Speaks,

II In the minds Of British Liberals there
had been awakened any doubt regarding
Mr.. GLADsToNE's physical and mental
competence to lead their party. that doubt
will have been entirely dispelled by his
memorable speech at Newcastle. Whether.
indeed. his voice retains the resonant and
carrying qualities for which it used to be
prominent, we are not as yet informed.
But the cabled report demonstrates that
never has his utterance been more lucid.
better ordered. moro cogent, or more elo-
quent. The reader even OF the telegraphed
summary must more than once experience
tho impregnation Of thought by feeling
which is the supreme achievement Of the
orator.
Speaking at Newcastle. where so lately
took place the Trade Union Congress-. 1t
was natural that Mr.. GLADSTONE should
begin by enumerating the grounds on
which. at the next general election. his
party would appeal to the millions Of work.
ingmen. who. since the Franchise act and
Seats act Of 1885. have become the real mas
tors Of Great Britain. He accordingly pro-
claimed it the indispensable duty OF the
Liberals to complete the work Of enfran-
chisement by reform Of the registration
laws. q modification Of the ledger franchise.
and q thorough enforcement Of the lone
man ono vote" principle. He pronounced
1t equally essential to enlarge the represent
tation Of labor In Parliament. To that
end he insisted that members Of the
House Of Commons should receive q
reasonable payment for their public SER
vices. and that the necessary cost Of cleo
tons should be made to fall upon the rate
payers instead Of. rs at present. on the can
didates. Meanwhile he promised that In the
coming canvass the Executive Council would
render cordial and substantial assistance to
any constituencies favorable to the claims
OF labor candidates. He also reckoned It
among the peremptory obligations Of the
Liberal party to bring self-government
home to the laboring man throughout the
country by tho creation Of district and par
ish councils. He averred further that q
trenchant reform Of the land laws and I'M
proved facilities for the transfer Of real
estate were absolutely necessary, II any
thing like justice were to be done to the in
habitants OF rural districts. He boldly add
ed that he should advocate the bestowal
upon suitable bodies Of compulsory powers
to acquire land In order to place the rural
population In nearer relations to use and
profit from the soil they have 80 long titled
for others. That Is to soy. he has resolved
to do for the small tenant farmer and agri-
cultural laborer Of Great Britain what he
has 30 signally helped to accomplish for the
peasantry Of Ireland.
As regards the difficult elght-hour ques-
ton. Mr.. GLADSTONE forebore for the mo
ment to pronounce any absolute judgment.
on the reasonable ground that the question
sufficiently examined. But the tenor Of his
upon the subject could leave no
doubt In the hearers mind that. once con-
WINGED that such a measure was demand
ed by the great majority OF workiDgmen.
he would cheerfully assent to the enact
ment Of statutory eight-hour day.
He assumed the same attitude OF friend
ly impartiality touching the controversy
whether Scotch or Welsh disestablishment
should first receive Parliamentary consider
alton. Toward. finally. the Radical sgita-
ton for the abolition OF the House Of Lords.
Mr.. GLADSTONE took up position which.
while ostensibly conservative. was really
fraught with tho gravest menace. It lay.
he said. with the Peers themselves to de-
termine whether the Radical project should
remain for some time In the shade. They
alone could convert 1t from an academical
and distant question into one both proxi-
mate and burning. They would surely do
This II they listened to the counsel OF Lord
SALISBURY. who had recently assured |
the Unionists that even II the House Of |
Commons should pass Home Rule bill.
hey might still rely upon the play Of other |
parts OF the Constitution. Should the peers ]