New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-25
ATTACKED BY GLADSTONE.
A DESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE IRISH
LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

RUKED-MR. EALFOJR CHALLENGES THE
LIBERAL LEADER TO DISCLOSE HIS OWN
POLICY TIE BILL PASSES IT:
SECOND READING 3s9 TO 2i7.
London, May 24-Thc discussion of the Irish
Local Government bill was resumed to-day. and
the measure finally passed its second reading by
a vote of 339 to 247. Mr. Gladstone, in speak
inS on the bill, said that the House in the
singular position of discussing measure that
was unlikely to I've proceeded with. In 1856 both
Mr. Chamberlain and the Duke of Devonshire
then Lord harrington had promised Ireland
much beyond local institutions. They had. in fact,
promised everything short of an independent Par
lament They then spoke of provincial assemblies
and of radically reconstructing the whole admin
istrative system. They also spoke of large devo-
luton of national power to an Irish assembly.
lCries Of Hear, Hear Now all these promises
were dissolved in the present meagrc bill, which
stamped Ireland with inequality as compared with
England and Scotland and falsicd the miserable
relics Of those engagements which taken by
the country as the basis of the commission en-
trasted 10 the present Government in 1856.
Lord SaliSbury's language, Mr.. Gladstone de-
clarcd distinctly encouraged civil Definite
explanations ought to be given the House, and 10
same others who desired to know. whether or
not the Cabinet were generally of the same opinion
as Lord Salisbury. Did the Ministers believe, he
asked that the people Of Ulster would rebel against
the decision of Parliament, that the employ
ment of the forces of the Crown TO suppress
such rebellion would be such an outrage as
would rend society in two? Cries of Hear,
Hear If Lord Sasbury'S language meant any
thing, it was plain inciemcnt of few mis-
guided men to resort TO violence, To resist inc
authority Of Parliament These were the condi-
,ions the Irish members had offered them in the
stintcd gift Of the present bill
Mr. Gladstone then proceeded to examine the
leading provisions of the bill, contendng that
the power il was proposed 10 confer upon the
Viceroy of Ireland concerning the divisions of
councils and the power OF dissolution would
place the councils completely at the mercy of the
viceroy who would thus be enabled to destroy
the effect of the whole bill This proposal alone
constituted radical difference between the Irish
Local Government bill and the English and Scotch
measures. The speaker next analyzc1 the JOIN:
committees proposal, showing that it was dcstl-
tute of the popular element and favored the lanC-
lords, helping them to nullify all the acts Of the
County Councils No such provision existed IN
the English Scotch acts What was good Tor
England and Scotland was omitted for Ireland,
while much that bad was retained. The Dill
stamped Ireland with inequality and inferiority
by withholding from her the powers and privileges
that obtained in her sister countries. Could II
be possible Mr.. Gladstone asked, to conceive
greater contempt for history and disregard OF
sound political principle?
Continuing Mr. Gladstone said that the bill
throughout had the brand of injustice for Ire
land II the Joint committees in England had one
good point, it the balance of the parties
there being seven county councillors and seven
magistrates. The Trisl, bill ignored this equality
In the opinion of many Liberals, the joint COM
mittecs in ENGLAND connected with the councils
were altogether bad lie INDUCED in the hope
that before many months had passed there would
be Parliament to make short work OF them
After rdculing the manner in which tie checks
nm the actions of the county councils would be
.nnIied Mr.. Gladstone commented upon the pro-
posed protection of the minoritcs. According TO
the Government this meant putting the maJorlncs
into tie hands of ii e minorlies linen II was hcid
necessary 10 protect the large cesspaycrS. III the
Government wanted to protect the ccespayerN, why
not nut the power in their hands. instead of en-
ablinc the sheriff Of a county TO nominate group
of landlords who would look after the interests
of their own class only? Cries OF Hear,
Hear
f. was vital to good plan Of local govern
m.nt that popular influences should have far
scone but 10 establish a standing majority OF
landlords meant tie destruction Of popular III
fnences liberal cheers. Could tie bill be called
an honest effort u satisfy Irish aspirations or a
fair attempt 10 legisla;e f"r Ireland? Rather
might il be called refuse political legislation 10
was like man in, ring his friends to banquet,
who then went around among his ne:ghbors, g'ttlne
y bone from one and refuse washing from Others TO
form the dishes for the banquet. Laughter)
The bill conferred on the Liberals one great ad
vantage, as tending 10 a clear issue IL gave the
people power 20 measure and determine exactly
the value of IT,. splendid Conservative promises
Of absolute equality with the laws oi "eat
Britain 1t was the great compensation
promised Ireland at the time Cf the union ior
the loss of her own Parliament.
Where was the equality i'll this bill? tOheersJ
If the people of the country were mslcd concern
ing the treatment of Ireland, with such evidence
before them il would be their own fault. But
they would not be misled they had already
shown They had arrived at tOerably lar cstI-
mata of the Government proceedings If anything
was wanted TO complete the conception OF Con-
scrvative aims. the bill would supply it. was
Ireland wrong, Mr.. Gladstone asked, IN rejecting
the measure No, the stamp Of inequality was
the brand Of degradation. Cheers II Ireland
was capable of accepting a measure so stampei
she was unworthy of the great men who had lcd
her in times of adversely, unworthy Of that happy'
better destiny he trusted and believed she was
about to accomplish Cheers
Mr. Balfour, the Government leader after pay
inc compliment to Mr. Gladstone for his clo-
qucnce. responded to the challenge the great
Liberal leader had thrown down. In reference
to Lord Salisbury's speech conc, rnins Ulster. Mr.
Balfour said. after reading extracts, he found
that the Premier had advanced three propositions ;
First that it would be gross act of pnf lie i'm
morality TO place Ulster under the heel Of the rest
OF Ireland conservative cheers With that
proposition Mr. Balfour begged 10 associate him
self in the fullest manner tCheers) Secondly
Lord cal;shurv had stated that if an attempt was