The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-19

measure in the matter of aldermen MANY
people in Ireland, said Balfour, feared the
measure would result in extravaganza,
possibly corruption. He denied this.
In the first county councils there would
be four ex-ofticio members, the lord lieu
tenant of the county, the sheriff. NOM
inee of the grand jury and nominee of
the present session of parliament. The
qualifications of voters for county coun-
cIlmen and baroniaI councilmen would be
identical. Illiterate persons and those
who did not pay county taxes would
have no vote. Balfour explained
the workings of the bill as proposed. and
said the system of franchise as suggested
would give the minority a vote in county
councils. The councils might use their
power to oppress small minority, and
might be guilty of wilful and persistent
corruption. Irish jeers. The history of
Ireland proved that these remote dangers
had reality. Such dangers did not exist
in England. Provision was made to allow
twenty cess-payers to apply to the Judge
of assizes for leave to petition for the re-
moyal of councillors of the barony
or county on the ground of per-
sistent disobedience of the law, cor
ruption or oppression. and if the
charge were established, the guilty coun-
cillors would be replaced by nominees of
the lord lieutenant. Ironical cheers. If
malversion and oppression were possible,
it was the duty OF the house to provide an
adequate remedy. Such dangers existed
in Ireland to an extent unknown in
England or Scotland. To prevent extrav-
agance the bill would provide that land
owners should have deciding voice in
permitting capital expenditures as distinct
from current expenditures. He could not
conceive any danger of the councils be-
coming centers of political agitation TO
further the views of any particular party.
Replying to Healy, Balfour said the bill
would not affect the police system of Ire
land, and the incidence of taxation would
remain as at present. In conclusion Bal
four said he did not pretend the bill would
regenerate Ireland, but sincerely thought
the Irish rate payer had right to claim
the same measures granted 70 England
and Scotland. He therefore recommended
the bill TO the favorable attention OF the
house.
John Morley characterized the bill as
"the rottenest reed an Irish minority ever
leaned on for the retention of privileges"
He declared that the measure was framed
in absolute distrust of the Irish people, in
fact, on the assumption that they were
"debased helots." The whole opposition
broke forth into cheers when Morley
called on the government to go before the
people on the measure. In concluding, he
affirmed that the bill was mockery; was
a Justification of the pledges of the govern
ment. and furnished grounds for the mani
festation of further irritation in Ireland.
John Redmond protested against the
measure as a sham bill. He could not
conceive how any government could be
so full of iInbecility as TO go before the
country on such bill.
Justin Mccarthy advised the govern
ment to burn the bill.
Healy said he never knew OF a more con-
temptible bill.
Harcourt said a bill more insulting TO
the Irish he could not conceive Of. 1t bore
the stamp Of Chamberlain, who was the
mother of the bill.
Balfour denied that the bill was insult
ing to Ireland. II. owing to obstruction,
the present bill should not be passed local
government for Ireland would be indedn-
:tely postponed. The only reason why
the Irish parties should obstruct the bill
was that it contained machinery TO stop
corruption and oppression. The only in
ference was that they desired TO make
something out Of the councils. At this
the whole opposition joined in crying
"Shaine," -" hile Conservatives cheered.
Labouchere said Balfour was between
the devil and the deep sea-" lie had TO
introduce the bill to satisfy his master.
Cham bcrlain, and had 10 persuade the
Conservatives that the bill was a sham.
Chamberlain denied that he had assisted
in the work Of framing the bill. He said
he approved Of the manner in which the
government had redeemed its pledges.
The safeguards introduced in the bill in
regard TO corruption were those that the
Americans. the most democratic people
Of the world, had introduced into their
constitution. An American legislature
could be brought before the supreme
court.
James Bryce, of the south division of
Aberdeen, Liberal, in favor Of home rule
for Ireland. denied that there was any
comparison between the proposed councils