The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-05
CLADSTONE'S POLICY
The Liberal Leaders, Long Expected
Manifesto.
THE AGRICULTURIsTs CONDITION.

The Grand Old Man Refers to
Gradual Improvement iii the
Lives of This Glass of Wage
Workers-The Growth and Eenc-
fits of Trades Uuionism.
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.. Gladsfone's
usually effective style. Summed up
briefly the manifesto may be said to be
rehash of parts of the distinguished
statesmans 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.
He deals particularly with the his
tory and conditions 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
received was nine shillings ($2 25) per
week, while now the same class of
workmen 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 high plane where they are
unknown and do not care for the la
borers.
Mr.. Gladstone also declares that the
Liberals by the county franchise gave
the agricultural laborers the greatest
boon possible at the hands of political
party, and, he explains, experience
showed that the Liberals were justified
in adopting this course.
The 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 no inn, e f,.o dc
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, in 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 Mancheste. in
1919, when 100, 900 workmen held a re-
form meeting, and while so doing We're
charged upon by cavalry, who rode the
defenseless people down beneath their
horses hoofs, killing eleven of them and
wounding 600. The veteran statesman
contrasts that event with the present
right of the people to hold public meet
ings, which right, he insists, ought not
TO be hampered IN the slightest by I'M
necessary local regulations or other leg
1slatlye restrictions.
Referring to the commissary law set
Element, by which pauper is returned
to the parish where he was born, Mr.
Gladstone saws that he believes that it
would be better to make them charge
able to the poorhouse in the district in
which they reside. Mr.. Gladstone also
declares that the present Door laws are