The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-02-11
Tho Queens Speech.

1t has become the fashion In these latter
days to laugh ut the Queens speech and to
say that there is nothing in it. As rule. this
is true enough. In any early year Of given
Parliament it is not wise for Ministry to
suggest subjects of controversy and tram
mel its future liberty Of action. But In a
case like the present. where Cabinet
enters on what is admitted by its own sup
porters to be its last year Of Office. and
when the pledges given to the constituent
cies at the last general election remain
unfulflled. one naturally scans with inter-
est Its official programme. both in order to
mark what Is contained in it and what has
been passed over. The result OF the recent
Rossendsle election had whetted curiosity
to see what the Queens spokesman would
find to say on the eve OF his compulsory
appeal to the Judgment Of the people.
Let US first point out the grounds on
which we assert that Lord SALISBURY will
not be permitted by his own partisans to
postpone to next year dissolution Of Par
lament. Some OF these grounds are stated
by the London Spectator. which Is certainly
qualified hy unfinching devotion to the
Unionists to tell them unpleasant truths.
The Spectator said the other day that the
reasons which preclude the deierring of an
appeal to the electors till '93 are irresisti-
BILE. It declares that no politician would
risk the chance Of dissolution by statute
ry limitation. because this might fall at
moment most disastrous for himself: and
no statesman would by delay create a
situation In which no might be left for six
weeks without the possibility OF sum-
moning legal Parliament. The same
paper points out that the most dangerous
o. all possible presidents would be for Par
lament to lengthen its own legal life even
for single week; yet II it sits for its full
legal term. 1t might in any one Of hum
dred contingencies DO strongly inclined.
and perhaps deem itself compelled. to take
such an unconstitutional course. To these
considerations we may add fact. which
we have formerly noticed. that the agents
OF the Tory Government in the provinces.
being consulted after the Rossendale cleo
ton. earnestly advised IN early submission
To the judgment Of the nation. because the
waverers were showing tendency to run
back into the Gladstonian fold. and every
day lost would increase the danger OF the
movements becoming stampede.
The Queens speech makes no reference to
a dissolution. nor did even the Spectator ex-
pact any. for while that paper averred that
tho election could not be postponed beyond
the year. 1t declared with equal emphasis
that the choice OF the particular moment
within tho year must. in accordance with
precedent. DO left to the discretion OF the
Government for the time being. The OPP
rosition. however. contend that the exer-
ctse OF sound discretion would lead the
Ministry at the beginning OF the session to
announce tho date fixed for the dissolution.
In order that 1t might be generally known
whether there would be time enough for
the thorough discussion Of the impor-
tant measures OF substantive legislation
which the Queen has outlined. Indeed.
such declaration seems in the present cir
cumstances called for as guarantee OF
good faith. What. for instance. did Mr..
0oscHEN mean by saying In the debate on
the address that the presentation OF the
Irish Local Government bill would depend
on the progress made with the Small Hold.
ings bill designed to please the Eng
iish agricultural laborer? II the Gov
eminent not only intends to prolong
the present session until the middle
of August. but also contemplates an
other session In the autumn. there will
b ample time to consider both OF the meas
ures Just mentioned. and Mr.. GoscHEN
merely declines to name the precise date at
which the promised concession to Ireland
will be proposed. But II the Ministers
have secretly resolved upon an early appeal
to the electors. then their subordination Of
the Irish bill to the Small Holdings bill in
dicates that they hope to be relieved from
dealing with the former measure. and that
they prefer to be beaten while posing as
champions Of the rural laborer. In other
words. they are riding for a fall. and want
TO fall In a soft place. This is kind OF smart
ness more becoming horse jockey than q
statesman. and we doubt whether 1t will
much impress the olsar-hsaded. straight