The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-20
BALFOUR'S IRISH BILL.
THE MEASURE RECEIVED WITH
GREAT HOSTILITY.

ne measure the CnllQ or Many stormy
Meetings of the Cabinet and a Com
promise--The Measure Denounced
by the Press of Dublin-The Govern
ment Skating on Thin Ice.
Copyright. 1894. BY the N. Y. associated Press)
LONDON, Feb. 49, 1t is freely stated that
the Irish local government bill, as presented
in the House of Commons last evening, is
the result OF many stormy meetings of the
cabinet, and Secretary Balfour was more
than once overruled. Even the Standard
admits this by saying that the bill is
the result of compromise and
that its reception, as in the case
Of all compromises. has not been
as satisfactory as its promoters
could desire. While It's reception last even
ing by the opposition aud to-day by the
press was the most hostile ever given to a
bill yet there are now signs of reaction set
ting in. The bill. In brief, gives rate
payers in Irish counties and baronies full
power to manage their own affairs. The
franchise is the same as it exists in England.
THE COUNCILS.
The Irish councils in some respects are
given more extensive functions than those
possessed by similar bodies in Great Britain
and while England is waiting for district
councils Ireland is offered baronial councils
Immediately.
AS was expected, the criticism OF the Irish
and liberal members turned chiefly on tbs
checks and safeguards; but few expected
such unanimous and sweeping condemna-
ton Whatever may be the fate of the bill,
there is no chance Of an appeal to the ooun-
try on the measure; but everything indi-
Gates that the government is riding TOR
fall, and that the dissolution
OF parliament will come when it is least ex-
pected. Defeat on some side issue would
enable the government to appeal to the
country without appearing to have unduly
pBecipitated dissolution in order to neglect
pledges still unrsGlized, and at the same
time the government would avoid alien
ating friends who object to some projected
measures.
SKATING ON THIN ICE.
The thin ice over which the government
is skating was indicated by the vote In the
House Of Commons tonight when a resolu-
ton expressing regret at the appointment
of q Welsh Judge ignorant Of the Welsh
language was rejected by majority Of
only twenty-three Attorney General
Webster and Secretary Bslfour supported
the appointment. The announcement of the
figures of the vote was greeted with loud
opposition cheers. A conservative member,
r. G. Webster. under the cloak of motion
for the abolition Of illiterate voters, then
proceeded to make rabid attack on the Irish
clergy. Many members sick of the debate,
Immediately quilted the House or repaired
to the lobbios or smoking room, where knots
OF the members were earnestly discussing
the Irish bill. The debate soon fiickered
out, and when the members noticed
that there was only thirty-three
members present the House was
counted out. The prospect Of chance de-
feat does not conduce TO the happiness of
the government. There are nearly sixty
conser vativs members who are VIGOROUSLY
reliable, while fifty others disapprove the
governments Irish policy and will prob
ably absent themselves from the critical
division.
DENOUNCED BY DUBLIN EDITORS.
DUBLIN, Feb. 19.-The National Press
(McCarthyite) commenting to-day on the
Irish local government bill introduced by
Secretary Balfour in the House Of Com
mons yesterday afternoon, says the measure
is "a beggarly account OF meaningless pro-
visions, like the japanese toy, consisting of
a succession of empty boxes. one within the
other"
The Irish Times unionist saws the bill
appeals to the wisdom of the House of
Commons. 1t is, as it processes to be, COM
pleIiOn VI tuo local government pflnclple
as applicable 20 all parts of the kingdom.
The F'Yeemdn's journal home rule) de-
clares that the bill is legislative joke. An
appeal to the country on this legislative
abortion would make Secretary Balfour
and his colleagues the laughing stock of the
country.
The irish Daily Independent Parnellite
says that the Irish party was prepared to
give the bill hearty support had it proved
RntisfaCtOrV hut the measure cham "a
fraud and an insult. Not much was to re
expected from the unionist ministry. but
nothing SO ridiculous as this bill was antici-
pated.