The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-07
Good News for the Friends Of Ireland.

Every man on tnlS Sluo oI tuo atiuhlic
who wishes to see the hopes OF Ireland full
filled. will be Rratitied to learn that Mr..
JOHN MORLEY is to occupy the post Of Sec
rotary for Ireland. with seat In the Cabi-
net. and that there Is no foundation for tho
report that Irish Nationalists would accept
office under Mr.. GLADSTONE.
or all the British Liberals. Mr.. JOHN
MORLEY, next to Mr.. GLADSTONE himself.
is regarded as the most genuine convert to
homo rule. and as disposed to make the
most liberal concessions to the Nationalist
demands He has long been vehement
opponent Of coercion and denouncer OF
the traditional system Of Irish administra-
ton known as Castle Government. 1t is OBJ
yiously essential to the smooth working Of
the temporary coalition between British Lib
erals and Irish Home Rulers that. during
the interval which must elapse before
homo rule bill can become law. the ad-
ministration Of Ireland should be committed
to man In whom the Nationalist are able
to put entire confidence. 1t should also DO
remembered that the Irish Secretary would
by virtue OF his Office have. next to Mr..
GLADSTONE. the largest share in framing u
home rule project and in advocating it on
the floor Of the House Of Commons. For
this purpose. also. Mr.. MORLEY Is peculiarly
qualified. He knows what the Irish people
want: he is willing to grant it: and he is
capable Of carrying the Liberal members OF
Parliament to the utmost limit Of the con-
cessions that would be sanctioned by the
British electors.
We have the decisive authority Of Mr..
JOHN DILLON for denying the report circu-
lated In some English newspapers that GER
tain places in the Gladstonian Ministry
would be occupied by members Of the Ma
tionalist party. Mr.. DILLON says that he
and all his Nationalist colleagues are
pledged to accept no post except under a
purely Irish administration. and any man
violating the pledge would be expelled
from the Nationalist organization. That
was o wholesome rule to make.
and. II 1t remains unbroken. all will
probably go well with Ireland. To
break it would irreparably weaken
the case Of Irishmen on both sides Of the
Atlantic In their Parliamentary represent
atives. Another interesting statement
! made by Mr.. DILLON relates to an impor-
| tant feature OF the new Home Rule bill
| He and his colleagues have stipulated. he
| says. that the number Of representatives
to be retained by Ireland at Westminster
shall remain what 1t is now. This means
that the Nationalist will not permit the
Liberals to accept the amendment which
the Unionists are certain to offer to the
lone man. one vote bill-an amendment
providing that representation shall
throughout the United Kingdom be exactly
apportioned to population.
A rigorous application OF this principle
would largely increase the representation
Of England In Parliament. would some
what augment that OF Scotland, and would
materially cut down that OF Ireland from
the present figure. 1903. The Nationalist
hold that II, after the creation OF Dublin
legislature. Ireland is to have any repre-
sentation Mt all in tho imperial Parliament
she is entitled to the number OF delegate!
fixed by the Act Of Union. Their notion Ii
that constitutlonally that number can. Us
In tho case OF Scotland. DO increased. bu
cannot be diminished without the con
sent OF the Irish people that formed
one OF the parties to the compact
II. as Mr.. DILLON announces. thu
Irish Nationalist shall show themselve
inaexible on this point. 1t Is not impossible
that MIR. GLADSTONE may be beaten Oh tn
Unionist amendment. for some Scotch ant
many English Liberals warmly favor tn
apportionment OF representation to popu
lation. The Liberals who may desert MI
GLADSTONE on this question are evidentl
governed by local rather than by party inter
ests, since 1t Is well understood that tn
general effect OF the principle OF apportion
ment referred to would be decided gain i
the number Of Tory constituencies.