The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-02-04
GLADSTONE'S POLICY
Tho Liberal Leaders, Long Ez-
pected Manifesto.
THE AeRIoUITUR1sTs' CONDITION.


Lives of This Glass of Wage
Workcrs-Thc Growth and Bcne-
fits OF Trades Uniopism.
LONDON, Feb. 4.-1he long expected
manifesto of Right Hon. William Ewart
Gladstone, as leader of the Liberal party,
to its adherents on the eve of the open
ing of the next season of parliamentary
battles, which it is expected will be fol-
lowed few months later by general
election, will appear tomorrow in the
columns of The Weekly Star. The doc
ument is worded in Mr.. Gladstone's
usually effective style. Summed up
briefly the manifesto may be said to be
a rehash of parts of the distinguished
statesman's former speeches upon va
rious subjects of interest TO the voters of
Great Britain and Ireland. Mr.. Glad
stone does not advocate any particular
policy, but simply makes some good
points upon which to hang the elements
OF the Liberal policy.
Agriculturists' Condition Improved.
He deals particularly with the his
tory and conditi ons of the rural popula-
ton from the time of severe oppression
down to the present time. In summing
up this review of the condition of the
agricultural masses Mr.. Gladstone says
he CONSIDERS that the conditions of the
agricultural classes have improved, but,
he adds, the improvement made is not
yet sufficient and additional legislation
for the agricultural population and the
passage of further measures to enable
them to acquire land are needed. In
former times, within the recollection of
many, Mr.. Gladstone also says, the
highest wages an agricultural laborer
wapniva1 nina glIilllnrrG (SD ON
week, while now the same class of
worknen average fifteen shillings (S3.75)
per week.
In another portion of his manifesto
Mr.. Gladstone prays that the rural
workers may be delivered from the
landlord, the clergyman and the farmer,
who, he says, are holding themselves
aloof from the laborers and setting them
selves upon q high plane where they are
unknown and do not care for the la
~korers.
Liberals by the county franchise gave
the agricultural laborers the greatest
boon possible at the hands of apoltical
party and, he explains, experience
showed that the Liberals were justified
in adopting this course.
Tho Growth of Trades Unionism.
Continuing, Mr.. Gladstone deals with
the question of the repeal of the combi-
nation laws, and the effects they have
had upon the immense growth of trade
unionism, which, he explains, has been
great benefit to laborers of all kinds
and conditions The liberation congress,
according to Mr.. Gladstone, is one of
the greatest Liberal measures of the
century, and has, III his opinion, been
productive of an immense amount of
good.
During the course of his remarks Mr..
Gladstone refers to the distressing Incl
dent which happened at Manchester in
1919, when 100000 workmen held a re-
form meeting, and while so doing were
charged upon by cavalry, who rode the
defenseless people down beneath their
horses hoofs, killing eleven of them and
wounding 800. The veteran statesman
contrasts that event with the present
right of the people to hold public meet
ings, which right, he insists, ought moi
to be hampered in the slightest by un.
necessary local regulations OF other leg.
islative restrictions.
Referring to the commissary law set.
tlement, by which pauper is returned
to the parish where he was born, Mr.
Gladstone says that he believes that il
would be better to make them charge.
able to the poorhouse in the district in
which they reside. Mr.. Gladstone alsc
declares that the present poor laws are
not sufficiently broad to cope with the
amount of pauperisin existing. The
present land laws, and the large hold
ings made possible by them, are, Mr.
Gladstone says, the cause of much ol
the pauperism referred to.
Urging Organization and Education
In conclusion Mr.. Gladstone reviews
4he work done and the resolutions passed
hy the recent meeting in London Of the
liberal delegates from the agricultural
districts, just previous to his departure
for the continent, and he again advo
Gates the establishment of parish coun
ellis as being an Indispensable compile
ment to local government, and advises
vaguely, that various economic rem
edics should bo adopted which, ht
thinks, would bring social salvation tt
the tillers OF the soil.
The formation of reading clubs fol
agricultural and other lahorers is one o
the suggestions made by Mr.. Gladston,
with the view OF improving their socia
and moral condition.