The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-29
THE ENGLISH ELECTION.
THE RURAL yOTERS PREPARTNG TO
PROTECT THEIR INTEREST.
Bismarck's Birthday and its Significance.
O'Brien IA "A Bankrupt-Abdication of King
George, of Greece-A Victory for Sir Will
linn Gordon n-Cumming-Foreign Events.

" DTltn aS u bttlkIupt-stDnlttiAoh VI ANhhb
George, of Greece-A Victory for Sir Will
liam Gordon Cumming Events.
Copyright 1891 by United press.l
LONDON, Mar. 2s.-The County Voters De
Tense Association are wisely preparing for the
English general election. An excellent leaflet
has been issued this week for circulation in the
rural districts. 1t deals in comprehensive
manner with the radical proposals for village
reform, touching upon parish councils, allot-
ments. charities education and other Ques-
tions. which being more social 10 politics are
probably for that very reason of supreme in
terest to the majority Of the rural voters.
THAT POPULAR PAsTIME.
Quite a number of persons have left Berlin
this week for the little German village OF
StrObeck that nestles in the bosom Of the
famous HartZ mountains 10 witness a singular
Faster custom that prevails there. prnci-
pal business OF the whole population OF
StrObeck, from children at school 10 the most
august dignataries of the district Is the play
ing Of the ancient and royal game of chess.
This has been the case for centuries. As soon
as they are old enough 10 understand moves
the boys and girls of this idealic village are
taught the laws aud ordinance Of the game,
and are initiated into the mysteries OF knight
move and the advantages Of early casting.
Every Faster the children are gathered to-
cether to display their skill IN the presence
of the pastor, the school teachers. the village
authorities and the public generally, aud the
three boys and girls most proficient receive a
chess board inscribed with the words. "A
reward for perseverance," Nor does the pur-
suit OF the game end with childhood and
school attendance but is steadily continued
through life. The inhabitants OF this district
are nearly all fairly well-tO-dO farmers and
Strobeck is all that village ought 10 be
clean. well paved. substantial. IN short q
home Of quiet and sober prosperity.
O'BRrEN AS BANKRUPT.
Mr.. William O'Brien. if he be adiudged a
bankrupt. may become not only for the time
being. but permanently. disqualified MEM
bership in the House Of Commons.
Section 3D. of the bankruptcy act Of 1857
provides that where debtor is adiudged a
bankrupt, he shall subject 10 the provisions
Of the act. be disqualified for being elected TO
or sitting or voting IN the House Of Commons
or any committee thereof, and 10 Is specifically
provided that the disqualification imposed by
tins section shall extend 70 all parts OF the
United Kingdom.
The disqualification does not however. take
immediate elect. for it is enacted IN section
g. Of the act. that if a member of the House
disqualihcatOns arising thercfrOm under this
Get are not removed within six months from
the date Of order. the court shall Immediately
after the expiration of that time certify the
same 10 the Speaker of the House Of Com
mons, and thereupon the seat of the member
shall be vacant. These disqualihcatlons,
however, can be removed only in one OF two
WAYS.
The disqualification is removed and ceases
when the adjudication OF the bankruptcy IS
annuiled or when the bankrupt obtains from
the court his discharge, with certificate 70
the effect that his bankrupcy was caused by
misfortune without any misconduct on LIS
part.
BIsMARCKs BIRTHDAY.
Prince Bsuarck's seventy sixth birthday
on Wednesday next il looked forward 10 with
intense interest throughout Germany. The
celebration will not be AS pompOus that Of
the Kaiser's. twomonths ago, but appearances
indicate that it will be more genuine and
cordial Berlin IS preparing TO DO honor 70
the ex-ChancellOr with a formal address and
a general exhibition of rejoicing. and the
leading municipalities Of the empire lave
taken steps 10 make the occasion memorable.
All the world Is asking what the Kaiser will
do. Bismarck was not among those who
called 10 congratulate the Kaiser or his birth
day, but he observed the day like a loyal sub
ject at his home. Should the Kaiser fail 20
send congratulations on "Wednesday next q
most painful impression Will, II Is thought, be
produced. not IN Germany alone, but through
out Europe. The eX-ChancellOr Is represented
as in vigorous health. with mind and body TN
impaired If. rs alleged by his enemies, he
has any evil habits. such rs tine abuse of NOR
phne. there Is no evidence of 1t IN act or ap-
pearance.
ABDICATIOS oP THE KING OF GREECE.
The Sultan Of Johore has gone home. His
Highness has gained his point OF securing the
succession % his throne in his eldest son.
The Sultan brought none OF his wives with
him. but the suite with which he started for
the Fast contained two attractive English
women who passed as waters or something Ok
that sort. but will probably blossom out a
Sutanas when he reaches Johore. One of
them was bar-maid IN a London gin palace
visited by the Sultan during hls wandcrings
in that city.
Reports are current Of the probable abdica-
ton Of King George, Of Greece. The King,
who loves IA quiet. easy life. IS tired OF the
noise aud excitement Of Greclan politics. His
son, the Duke of Sparta, has arrived OF age,
and the King has already named him as re-
cent while the King goes 10 Denmark to be
present 40 the celebration If the birthday Of
King Christian. This Is believed 10 be pre-
liminary 20 the abdlcatlOn.
A VICTORY FOR SIR WILLIAM.
The Scotch doggedness Of Sir William Cor
dOn-C Cumming has won victory IN the haccaret
scandal, II rumOr current IN the clubs last
night has serious foundations. As he de-
cllnes either 20 be fr0wned or boycotted into
giving up his determination 10 fight the
scandal 10 the courts, 1t is said that the other
side will offer no evidence, present IN apology
and leave the question OF damages 10 be as
se-sed
1t is reported that Sir William has had a
card up his sleeve. % which II played. the
alleged baccaret exposure would not bear any
comparison rs q social sensation, and that the
card would have been played with eject IN the
trial This would have involved the name Of
a lady in the highest circles, t0 whose malice
Sir William attributes the attempt 10 deiame
him.
KING OF BELGIUM AND CONGO.
One of the most important events ~ the
week has been the presence OF the King of
Belgium IN England and his prolonged con-
IS deeply anxious a. to the future Of the Congo
free State He blames French influences for
Americas failure 20 ratify the Congo confer
ence. and lee believes tina, the aim of France Is
to compel Belgium % cede the tree State % the
former country. This Leopold wishes. II
possible, to avoid. and be asks FOR the assist
ance Of England TO uphOld him in maintaining
tie independence of Congo. England how
ever. has two disputes with France already On
hand. one as 20 Newfoundland and the tther
in Egypt. and il is understood that Leopold
has not received much satisfaction.
AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION.
The Australian Federation IS likely TO last
for several weeks longer Although It's mem
bers have professed desire not 70 slayishly
copy the Constitution OF the United States.
tbey have SO far followed that instrument
faithfully. and in some respects the debates
strongly remind one Of jealousy, and inter,