The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-08
The Gladstonisns Capture London.

The result OF the election OF the County
Council OF tho British metropolis which
took place last Saturday. must surprise
even the most sangu.ne friends Of Mr..
GLADSTONE. 1t is only few weeks since
the London Times publisheda forecast OF
the coming Parliamentary general election.
made. 80 1t asserted. by Mr.. SCHNADHoRsr.
the chief organizer and election agent for
the Gladstonian party. According to this
estimate, which was not disavowed by its
reputed author, the British Liberals and
Irish Nationnlists combined could not count
on obtaining majority over the unionists
In the next House OF Commons of over
thirty. AS a majority at least us large as
that seemed already assured by local con-
tests outside Of the metropolitan district. it
was inferred that Mr.. SCHNADHoRsT had de-
SPARED Of dislodging the Unionists in Lon
don. which Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL.
speaking the other day. described as their
impregnable fortress.
Well the impregnable fortress has been
taken. The Progressives, which is the local
name Of the Gladstonians. have swept the
metropolis. returning n large majority of
its County Council. 1nasmuch. moreover
as 1t is impossible for the Conservatives to
make more vehement effort hereafter
than they made on Saturday. we may fairly
assume that in tho next House Of Commons
the GladstoniQns. instead OF elccting. as
they did in 1886, only an insignificant frac-
ton. will return n majority of the more
than fifty members allotted to the metro
politan district. Such a political revolution
in London. if We consider not only its direct
l,,@ ;,,u,
stituencies. especially the so-calcd home
counties. may mean that Mr.. GLADSTONE is
destined to repeat his triumph uf 1880 when
he gained q strong working majority over
Tories and Parncllites united.
1t is true that the Gadstonians. or Pro-
gressives. had a majority in the first
metropolitan County Council. which was
elected three years ngo But that was
a mere chance stroke. the Conserva-
tivcs letting the election go by default.
because they took for granted that
they must retain the immense prepondcr-
ance which they had exhibited in 1886. AT
that time. with organization. they could
probably have held their own. That they
should have failed now is amazing. when
one considers the keen interest taken in
the present election by the Duke of WEST
MINISTER. the Duke of BEDFORD. the Duke
Of PORTLAND. and the other Unionist peers
who derive from ground rents large part
OF their incomes. 1t should also be remem-
bered that In no part of Great Britain are
the plutocrats more eager and even anx-
ious to follow the lead Of the aristocracy
than they are in the metropolitan district.
Yet. with all the weight of money and social
influence In their favor. the Tories have
been beaten in their stronghold.
1t will. no doubt. he said that the Par!ia-
mcntary election will turn upon different
questions. and that the ratepayers OF Lon
don care much less about tho welfare of
Ireland than they do about their local in
terests. That may be true. but it will prove
impossible in the national contest to dis
sociatc general from local issues. The ex-
pcriencc of the London County Council dur
ing tho last three years has taught the
rntepayers that they hnve nothing to hope
for from a Parliament in which the Tories
nre predominant. What tho taxpayers of
the metropolis want is to buy out the tram
ways and the water and gas companies,
and to place tho control of such public con-
Veniences in the hands OF tho County Coun-
Gil. Yet. although tho DEACoSsFIELD Gov
eminent brought in twelve years ago bill
for the purchase Of the franchises and
works Of tho water companies. the SAILS
BURY Ministry has viewed revival of tho
project with inileXi5!c dislavor AZ for tho
demand OF tho County Council that tho
ground rents OF the great London landlords
shall DO directly taxed. there is no chance
OF this being granted By the Unionists. who
VIGOROUSLY constitute the landlord party.
For their own sakes. therefore. IL not for
Ireland's. tho voters in tho metropolitan
district, who were victorious on Saturday,
Dust support Mr.. GLADSTONE in the ap-
preaching Parliamentary election. They
were told last week that Progressive meant
Gladstolian. while Moderate signilicd
Unionst: yet with this fact borne in upon
their minds thoy gave their votes to tho
Gladstonian candidates. The same motives
which were operative then will control tho
ratepayers in the national contest: for the
present powers Of the London County Coun-
eli are vigorously limited. and tho desired
enlargement OF them will never be obtained
from Unionist House of Commons.