The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-12
Remarkable Change in the Prin-
ciples Of the English Con-
servative Party.
Female Suffrage and the Disfran-
chisement of the Illiterate
Are Approved.
Tho Liberals Entirely Outdono in the
Democratic Liberality OF the New
Conservative Programme.

Copyright 1892 New York Associated Press.i
LONDON Nov. 11.-No event in this recent
history of the conservative party app, ,oaches
in importance the adoption of new pro-
gramme by tho conference of conservative
associations in Edinburgh. The platform,
which is frankly democratic even goes be-
yond the Newcastle programme of the lib
erals in admitting the popular control Of
party legislation and further contrasts fav-
orablv with the liberal federations' policy
as allowing greater independence of opin-
ion among ndherents of the principle of
unionism. The rlgidity of old toryism is
absolutely vanished and replaced by the
elastic constitutionalism which Balfour
and other leaders have accepted, though
certain older members of tho party con-
tinue to think it incompatible with genuine
conservatism and dangerous to the success
O. pnrty government. The programme in
cludes an electoral registration form,
with equalization of seats and
reduction of the period of
occupancy required to qualify voters. This
in itself trumps liberal proposals in the
same direction. The conference next ap-
proved the extension of franchise to female
rate payers, disfranchisemen of illiterate
voters, popular control of the liquor traffic,
state provision for old age, assistance to
workingmen to enable them to acquire
land for building purposes, amendment to
the employers liability laws. and factory
acts in the workingmen's interests. Finally
some touch of home ruleism is infused in
the programme by the approval of the
transfer of the private bill procedure from
parliament committees to local bodies. The
transformed spirit OF the party Is attributed
largely to liberalizinR influence of unionist
allies, and partly to the leaders recognizing
the necessities of the times.
John Morley's evicted tenants commits
sion seems doomed to disastrous failure.
Neither Lord Salisbury's jibes or Balfour's 9
denunciation is causing the collapse of the
comm ission. but internal disputes and par
tisan mismanagement by Justice Matthews
are the chief factors in the breakup Be-
sides Murphy. who resigned, Murrough
O'Brien will retire and another member,
Roche, iutimated desire to be replaced.
The desertions are attributed to Justice
Mathews procedure. The Withdrawals
leave two members of the commission, but
it is rnmored thnt the goverLmen will I'LL
the vacancies with home rule nominees and
continue the commission. thoughlt ends IN
smoke. foul in the nostrils of parliament.
The radicals have abandoned all hope of
any leplSlullUu LOT eV1CIeu LeuduUS uuEluH
the coming session. The plan now dis
cussed by the ministerial circle is to not
ask the house of commons to vote a grant
for relief, but evade II decision i'll the house
by drawing funds from the land purchase
commission to pul chase compulsorily por-
tions of estates from obstinate landlords,
enough to make loans to tenants to enable
them to start their farms anew. With an
otEer general election within sight, prudent
libe al members of tho commons hesitate
to approve u course which is certain to
arouse general reprobation.
il CHARLES Tupper's negotiations in Paris
for the conclusion of Il commercial treaty
between France and Canada are making
favorable progress. France make mimi
mum tariff concession to Canada.
The Independence Beige, of Brussels, an
nounces that Monte fore Levy, one of the
Belgian delegates, will preside over the in
ternationnl monetary conferences. The
PaIis, will probably not assemble be
TO February. In official circles here
the opinion prevails that the arbitration
proceedings will be p otracted.
] he latest trade union development in
London ia the formation of do
nestle servants union. Seven hundred
servants have already joined and the union
intends to hold an OF en- air meeting to give
exI re.sion to their demands that the gov
ernment establish n servants labor ex-
change, where no fees will bs ex ected; fix
hours of labor, regulate salaries and force
employers to give suitable character to
Sci wants on dismissal