New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-15
LIFE IN LONDON.
THE APPROACHING DISSOLUTION-A FRESH
SCANDAL-EMPRESS FREDERICK.
Westminster, February %.

The House of Commons is showing in many
unmistakabe ways the influence Of the chill
shadow of the approaching dissolution. II has
come suddenly, but once overspread, its influence
grows increasingly predominant, and it will GER
tainly never be lifted. There is no apprehension
now of a dissolution taking place in the present
wear. There was time when Ministers I'M
doubtedly considered the expediency of such a
movement If the finding out of Mr.. Parnell raa
come a month earlier and so had made it possible
to rush the election in December, it is pretty
certain that Ministers would have yielded to
the strong pressure put upon them to attempt
the coup detat; but in the circumstances of date,
it would have been impossible to have had the
general election before January, when the new
register comes in force, circumstance always
adverse to the Conservatives, seeing that the
nomadic tribe of wOrkmen, who usually vote
Liberal, find themselves on the register when it
is first opened Moreover, Parliament had been
summoned to meet in November the plea of
urgent public business, and it would have been
rather a strong order forthwith to dissolve it
and rush general election.
The general election will come next year, prob
ably between the hay-harvest and the cOrn-reap
ing. There will be at least the opening of
another session, with fair Ministerial promise
of useful work Some hitch will be managed
20 to the country, and one of the most momentOus
electoral contests Of modern times will be fought.
There is nothing in the Septennial Act that
would prevent the Ministry hanging till
1893. The present Parliament elected in
July, 1886, and might sit till midsummer, 1898.
But it would be straining legality a point too
far If Parliament exists till June next year il
will have completed its sixth year, and will run
into its seventh session, limit rarely reached.
Only twice in the present reign has Parlia-
mpnt lasted so long. The first was Lord Palmer
ston's Parliament, which, elected in 1859, lasted
six years, a month and six days. The other was
the Disraeli Parliament of 1874, which lived
twenty days over its sixth year.
The coming event casts it's shadow before at
Westminster in the shape of the Workingman The
Government have finally resolved to fight the
general election astride his broad back. 1t has
always been their policy TO attempt to minimize
the influence of Home Rule as determining the
course of elections. This was difficult as long
the Irish party were united and the British
Liberal voter hot in favor of Home Rule Bb
Mr. Parnell changed all that When he stealth
lily crept down the ire-escape attached " the
hosptabe suburban residence of Captain OShea,
he. all unwittingly, carried on his shoulder the
British Workingman. The Government, seeing
influential person and mean to try to run him
through the split created in the Liberal ranks.
Whatever may be the actual case in
the country, there is no doubt that
the Irish question is. for the time,
dead in the House of Commons. This was proved
by the abOrtive debate raised on Mr. John Nor.
ley's resolution challenging the administration OF
Nr. Balfour in Ireland. Ii is proved by the al
most complete eifacement of the Irish party in tie
House. The question hour no longer echoes with
their complaints and accusations, and Tuesdays
and Wednesdays, once bodily appropriated for the
discussion of Irish grievances, have now reverted
10 the possession of the British Member, and he
gives them up almost exclusively TO the Working
man. As for the Government, they cannot do too
much for their new idol. This week they have
announced the appointment OF Royal Commits
sion inquire into the relations of Labor and
Capital. This follows upon the nomination OF
Select Committee TO investigate the grievances of
railway servants. Still more, the Government, a
large employer Of labor public works, has SOL
EMMY pledged itself to render sweating impos-
sbe by prohibiting the sub-letting of contracts,
and by insisting that all worlmen engaged under
its contracts shall have fair days wage for full
days work Thus has the millennium suddenly
lawned on the British Workingman. and, through
the inscrutable working of Providence, ." all on
account Of Kitty
Yet another scandal in political life is coming
10 light, and already futters society, never sat
ated with this condiment. The person principally
concerned is a member of the Government, per-
sonally more prominent than important. But.
apart from his connection with an ausiere Gov
eminent that has been much shocked by disclosure
of immortality in the political camp opposite he Is
allied by marriage with great and highly es
teemed peeress of worldwide renown The lady
light o. love is sister of the peer, allied 10 hall
dozen noble houses. and well-knOwn figure In
London society. Every effort is made TO keep
the case out of court but even if that succeeds,
il is probable that the political, certainly the Min
istcrial career of Lotharo is closed. The Countess
of Russells suit for judicial separation from her
husband, grandson of the famous Lord john ap-
pears in the list of the Divorce Court, but Is
not likely to come till after the Long Vacation,
a period to which is also deferred the hearing oi
the baccarat gambling case. In this matter great
pressure has been put upon SIR William GORDON
Cumming u induce him To have the affair settled
by arbitration SO as To prevent the appearance OF
the Prince of Wales in the wtness-boN. But The
Scotch baronet is resolute He will hold no parley
with the other side Briefs have been assigned to
eminent counsel, of course including Sir Cnares
Russell, and the matter VIII De lOught OUT III Ofen
day
In due time you will have the opportunity Oh
welcoming on your side of the Atlantic Mr.. Henry
Arthur Jones's Dancing Girl, one of the strong
est and best-acted plays that has been seen for
long time on the London stage. Arrangement"
are now in progress, and promise happy concIu'
sion, by which Mr.. Beerbohm Tree Will take across
not only the play, but the Ilaymarket Company.
Originally he had intended TO make the expedition
this autumn But TIE piece has taken such
hold that it is likely to run not only through thi'
year but well into next. The visit viii, accord
lngy. be deferred till the autumn of 1892. liitheE-
to The Silver King" has been Mr.. Jones's chieeso
pecuniary success But " The Dancing Girl beats
the record. and deserves its position. On reading
tho nlou the DIXIE of Guisebury does not stann