The morning call., 1892-11-20
LABOR IN ENGLAND
The Royal Commissions
Investigation.
WORKINGS OF THE POOR LAW.
Chamberlain rendered Place as Mem
Der of New Investigating COM
mittee-Clamor of Unemployed.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

NEW YORK, Nov. 19. - The TrIbunes
special from London says: The royal CON-
mission on labor is approaching the termi-
nation OF Its task. II was appointed nearly
two years ago by the Salisbury Government.
at time when the labor question was
coming threateningly to the front. The
principal object was to shelve the awkward
question, postponing action till after the
general election. That accomplished, the
commission has ceased to attract public at
tention. II has nevertheless plodded along
and accumulated more evidence than aver
age mortals are likely to read. The Duke
OF Deyonshire. who was appointed chair
man. had long ago practically withdrawn
from attendance at the sittinss of the COM
mission. 1t is intended to examine only one
further witness. Giffen, the Board of Trade
statistician. Then the commission will ad-
J6urn till February. when the chairman is
expected TO bring up draft OF a report for
consideration.
Ii is the intention to appoint royal COM
mission TO inquire into the results of the poor
law as they affect the interests Of aged
paupers. This is acceptable as fresh evil
dence that the Government does not regard
1t necessary to concentrate the attention on
the bome-ruls question to the exclusion OF
all others. l am told that Chamberlain
will be offered q seat on the commission,
and it will be interesting to see in what
mood he will accept the overture. He has
OF late taken prominent part in the dis
cussion Of the question. The assistance Of
his penetrating mind, shrewd judgment and
wide knowledge Of affairs would be invalu-
able IN such an inquiry. The question is
entirely free from political bias and there is
no more reason why Chamberlain should
not sit on commission appointed by
Liberal Government than there was why
Mundella should have declined 20 sit on the
Royal Commission of Labor because il was
appointed by a Conservative Government
and had as chairman a leader of the dis
sentient Liberal party. 1t will be difficult
for Chamberlain to 6Ed an adequate reason
for declining the invitation.
Meanwhile the labor question Is forcIn
itself to the front in the clamor of the un-
employed. The president of the Local Gov
ernment Board has issued n circular ad-
dressed to boards of guardians and other
local authorities all over the country,
urging them as far as prac tieabIe to in
augurate and push forward public works
affording wage fund for the unemployed.
A deputation is daily waiting upon the
County Council. school boards and heads OF
the ministerial departments imploring
work, or some form of assistance to carry
them over the winter.
The evidence given in support of the cleo
ton petition against the return of Balfour
for East Manchester discloses on the Liberal
side fatal tendency to believe evil
of an adversary. The case chiefly
rested on the evidence of a barber.
named Green, who told the agents for
the petitioners that he had been intrusted
with large number of tickets for drink to
be given away to Balfour's supporters. He
affirmed that he had large batch of unused
tickets 10 his house. and undertook to place
them at the disposal of the petitioners for
the purpose of the action. Unfortunately.
as tho Judge observed. on the eve of the
performance of this promise burglars broke ;
into the barbsr's shop, carried off the box
and the damaging proofs disappeared from
human ken. The Judgs declared that Bar
Der Green's story was utterly unworthy OF
belief and dismissed the petition. The
costs, which will be heavy, must be borne by
Professor Munroe, Liberal candidate, who
presented the petition.