, 1891-10-02
A MONSTER MEETING.
English Liberals Assemble to
Consider Live Questions,
The System Under Which the
Society Operates.
Programme of Reform Ar
ranged for this Year.
Great Liberal Meeting.


NEWCASTLE, Oct l.-As each of the
5000 delegates to the meeting here rep
resents a thousand voters, the congress
represents about 1900. 900 electors from
England and Wales alone. John Morley,
in the opening speech, referred to the
spirit of Liberalism as inspired by the
highest motives and noblest impulses.
Ireland. he said, had vindlcated the con-
idence the Liberals had placed in her by
refusing to follow the leader. He said it
was not the Liberals' fault if Temperance
had not leeislatively advanced, for, as
usual. the Conservative s blocked the way.
There Was . prospect that ever if victori
GUS, the members OF the house OF com
mons would find to all such measures
unYielding obstacles to progress in the
house of lords. Therefore it became a
matter tor serious consideration as to how
long that privileged house. non-reprc-
sentative and unreiormed, as it was out of
sympathy and out of touch with the ma
jority of the representative chamber. was
to endure. prolonged applause Con-
tinuing. after the applause subsidized. Nor.
ley said he was ready TO renew the agIts-
ton against hereditary peers whenever
their lordships pleased. The country
could not hear too constantly the voice of
the working population. The workmen
ought, therefore, to be encouraged to OBJ
tain representation 10 all local authorlta-
tive bodies from councils and school boards
up to the great senate of the nation.
A resolution OF trust in Mr.. Gladstone
and belief that no wise or durable settle.
ment Of the Irish question can be effected
except by the establishment of an Irish
legislativive body for the management
exclusively OF Irish affairs, carried with
cheers.
DIR. Watson. president of the national
Liberal federation, referring to the eight
hour question, said it still remained in a
stage Of argument. Few resolution from
the different associations vary in their in
depreciation OF the matter. and in the
form in which hey would like such a law
passed. The national Liberal federation.
he added, did not wish to stifle discussion
On the eight hour question. On the con
trary. it desired that the question should
be searched out and the members of the
council were prepared to give the question
a chance to come up for general discus
sion.
A resolution in favor of disestablishing
the Welsh church and to amend the free
education by increasing popular control of
the schools was passed.
Tomorrow the women's federation will
hold meetings at which Mrs. Gladstone is
expected to preside. In the evening there
will be a great meeting OF the Liberals at
which Gladstone ls expected to speak.
In an interview with the Associated
Press representative today Mr.. Schnad-
horst, the great Liberal organizer, said
the meeting is not for discussions so much
as declarations. The council of fedora
ton weeks before the annual meeting
sends out circulars to every local associa-
ton asking information as to their atti-
tude on questions interesting the party
at large. When the council finds the
great mass OF the party have agreed upon
a certain course of action then it is ready
to embodv the party's wishes in a resolu-
ton. adding a new plank to the platform.
Thus they adopt home rule. disestab-
llBhed Welsh and Scotch churches, but
have not adopted the eight hour day.
womsn's suffrage and some other meas
ures which have ardent advocates in the
party. They concentrate the whole
strength of the party upon the formation
of such legislation as is by general con-
sent deemed OF the first Importance and
deal with no unsettled question.
The programme to be approved this
year, said MIR. S~chnadhorst, is much the
same as last. 1t reafirms as the first
and foremost plank home rule. Mr..
Gladstone. he said, will again declare
himself on the Irish policy tomorrow.
Other resolutions will include besides
those adopted at today's meeting a decla-
ration that Great Britain should
avoid ENHANCEMENT in continental
q%uarrels and promote the prin-
cIples of international arbitration; that
in any reform of the lind laws a just and
equitable taxation of land values and
ground rents is essential; that all %restric-
tons upon the free sale and transfer of
lands be abolished; local electoral reforms;
direct popular veto of the liquor traffic;
better housing of tue working classes; ex-
tension of the factory acts and the mend
ing or ending of the house Of lords
that, said Mr.. Sc~hnadhorst, lis our pro-
gramme."
1ae largest stock OF fine brandies. old
whiskies. choice Gqueurs and superfne