The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-19

| LONDON, Feb. 1S.-The long-talked-of
! Irish local government bill was introduced
| in the commons today by Mr.. Baifour,
amid the cheers of the government sup
porters. In introducing the bill Mr.. Bal
/ four said that the present bill was not
merely county councils bill, but it was
what in England would tie described as a
district and counties bill. By provisions
administrative duties will be given baron
ial councils, leaving wholly. untouched
the Judicial duties now entrusted to the
grand jury members. The county and
baronial councils will be elected every
! three years. The government proposed
following the Scotch rather than the En-
glIsh measure III the matter OF aldermen
| There undoubtedly existed large body of
people III Ireland who dreaded a measure of
this kind. 1t was only due to those per-
sons to examine the bill The fear that
they entertained was that the new system
would result in extravaganza, possibly
corruption. They were afraid that they
would be plundered and oppressed by the
new bodies Mr.. Balfour did not think
there was any weight in these arguments
which would stand the brunt of hostile
criticism.
The qualifications for county council
men and baronial councilmen would be
Identical, and for persons entitled to vote
for both sets of officers would be the same
do AOI GilOSe udb luE IuG EISuD W bOIo 1Ok
members of parliament, except that the
former would include also women and
peers. Mr. Balfour said that the county
councils would have to combine the duties
of county and presentment councils and
of grand juries, regarding the administra-
tlon of affairs.
The system of franchise suggested, said
Mr.. Balfour, would give the minority
vote in the county councils. The councils
small minority, and might be guilty of
W1lltul and persistent corruption Irish
Jeers. The history of Ireland proved that
these remote dangers had real
lty. Provision was made to al
low twenty tax payers to apply
to the Judge of assiZeS for leave to petition
for the removal of the councillors of a
barony or county Iironical opposition
cheersl, on the ground that the councillors
were guilty of persistent disobedience of
the law against corruption and oppression.
The matter should be tried, and if the
charge was established, the guilty coun
cilors would be replaced by nominees of
the lord lieutenant. Such dangers existed
in ireland to an extent unknown in
England and Scotland.
In reply to a question asked by Mr..
Heaiy, Mr.. Balfour said that the bill
would not affect the police system of Ire
land, and the incidence of taxation would
remain as 1t was at present.
The whole opposition broke forth into
cheers when Mr.. Morley called on the gov
ernment to go before the people on the
measure. Ip concluding, he affirmed that
the bill was mockery offered to the
house; that it was Justification of the |
pledges of the government, and furnished
grounds for a manifestation of further irri |
tation in Ireland.
John Redmond protested against the
measure as a ''sham bill" The manner
in which it was proposed was an insult to
the Irish.
Justin Mccarthy advised the govern
ment to burn the bill. declaring that the |
Nationalists would reject it ''as an un-
clean thing
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said that |
a bill more insulting to the Irish he could |
could not conceive of.
Mr.. Balfour denied that the bill was in |
sultlng to Ireland If, owing to obstruc- |
tion, the present bill should not be passed, |
local government for Ireland would be in |
definitely postponed. The only reason |
why the Irish parties should obstruct the |
bill was that it contained machinery to |
stop corruption and oppression. The only |
inference was that they desired to make |
out of the councils.
At this the whole opposition Joined IN |
crying 'Shame shame!" while the Con- !
cheered.
The bill passed the first reading Mr.. !
Balfour fixed the secoad reading for
March g.
The Conservatives, for the most part. |
declined 10 criticize the bill until it had |
been printed. Some who stood fast in
support of the ministry, how
ever, confess that the measure
needs much amendment. There was
d notable absence OF Conservative en-
thusiasm. while, on the other hand, the
Liberals were exultant, regarding the bill !
as final blow to the governments chances
in the coming general election. Both sec
JIons of the Irish members intend to oppose
The bill to the utmost