The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-17
THE WEATHER.
ENGLISH ~LEGIsLATION.

LEGIsLATION.
As the approach Of a general election
looms up larger on the horizon q point
zeal necessities, the present conserva-
tive ministry in England seems to be-
come more and more impressed with the
exigencies Of tho situation. Somehow
or anyhow, a record in popular leglsla-
tion is to be made, SO that the party
may appeal to the country with drums
beating and colors flying. The coming
session, the last Of this parliament's
constitutional existence, will conse-
quently see the introduction OF no less
that three measures Of tirst-ratel mpor-
lance. So far as We can judge, there IS
not one Of these bills that might not
have proceeded even more appropriately
from the liberal side of the house. Ger
tainly there is not one of them that dld
not owe it's original conception to the
opposition. But with the political
shrewdness that has characterized the
conservative party in recent years, Its
leaders have once moro caught the lib
erals bathing and are masquerading IN
their stolen clothes. On the lines of
local government already introduced IN
Great Britain, the first of these bills
will supplement the work OF the county
councils by the establishment of district
councils. The second is an attempt to
mellorate the condition Of the agricul-
tural laborer and to furnish him with
the opportunity, hitherto denied him,
OF occupying land for his own behalf
and benefit. The third and last OF these
measures proposes to extend to Ireland
tho provisions of the county council
bill, and will form the first inetallment
Of conservative reconstruction in that
distressed country. For English prac-
tice that is an ambitious programme.
What with supply and routine work,
one first-rate measure has come to be
regarded as a good record for a sessions
work. But in the present instance,
where the broad, general principles are
not in dispute, and where discussion will
the limits of possibility that the con-
sentative programme may be carried
out in it's entirety.
AS the leader Of the house and as the
backbone of the governments Irish
policy, it is more than probable that
Mr.. Balfour will be entrusted with the
pilotage Of the Irish measure through
the commons. Assuming the bill to be
drawn on any approach to popular lines,
his task may prove o heavy one. Op-
Forthcoming from his W side Of the
house. He will have to reckon with the
Ulster conservatives to a man. The
members from Dublin university viii
have to take the same side. Some con.
siderable portion Of the English con.
%servatiye members. with estates or in.
terests in Ireland, will be found with
the indictments, and altogether Balfoul
will have an admirable chance to en-
nance his reputation for determination
and aplomb. Both the liberals ane
the Irish members proper may be relied
upon for amendments in the direction
of shaping the measure to the desires o
the Irish people. But IN the vel
known principle that half a loaf is bet
ter than no bread, it is improbable tina
obstructive tactics will be resorted te
and the government may hope TO ii
itself with comparative ease of the mos
contentious item in its programme.
A more hopeless outlook than that {
the average English agricultural Lahore
it is hard to conceive. A life of grint
ing toll on little better than s~tarvatio
wages, with the poor farm in the midd
distance add a %pauper's grave beyon'
this is the existence that the agircu
tural bill will endeavor to crush out
being. District councils will be investe
with the power to purchase land with:
their respective Jurisdictions for Il
purpose Of renting it in lots
agricultural laborers and enabling IL
thrifty and Industrious among them
better their condition. The conservati
interest in Hodge is a growth of We
recent origin and can readily be trac
to two sources. In the first pla'
Hodge has become possessed of t
franchise, and though still a good d.
under the domination of the squire u
the vicar he begins to see visions a
dream dreams of what his class mig
accomplish if cooperation were an
complished fact. But back of all t
there is the transformation that
passed over the face of British fern
within comparatively few years. Z
gentleman farmer, with his shousa1
of acres rented from some great la
owners, is becoming extinct. w
foreign cereals came in free, he got
first heavy blow, and with America
Australia supplying the meat mari
of England he failed to come to ii
Lands stood empty, rents came de
without effect, and at last the terrific
magnates of the conservative party b
been forced to the conclusion t