The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-19

sibly corruption. He denied this. In the
first County Councils there would be four
ex-ofieio members-the Lord Lieutenant of
the county, Sheriff, a nominee of the Grand
Jury and a nominee of the Prssentmeat
Sessions. The qualifications Of the voters
for County Couucilmen and BaTOnial COun-
cilnen will be identical IIliterate persons
and those who did not pay county taxes
would have no vote.
Balfour explained the workings Of the bill
as proposed, AMI said the system of fran
chise suggested would give a minority vote
in The county councils The co ouncils might
use their power to 0ppTess small minority,
and might be guilty Of willful and per-
slsteut corruption Irish jeers.l The his
tory of Ireland proved that these remote
dangers had reality. Such dangers did not
exist in England.
Provision was made to allow twenty tax
PAYERS TO apply TO Judge Of the Assizes
for leave to petition for the removal Of the
Councillors Of q barony OF county on the
ground Of persistent disObedience Of law,
Corruption or oppression, and if the charge
was established the guilty Councillors Will
be replaced by the nominees o. the Lord
Lieutenant lIToniCal Cheers.I
II malversation and oppression were pos
an adequate remedy. Such dangers existed
in Ireland 10 an extent unknown in England
OF Scotland. To prevent extravaganza the
bill would provide that the landowners
should have a deciding voice in permitting
caLital expenditures as distinct from cur
expenditures
He could not conceive any danger Of the
councils becoming Centers Of political agta-
ton to further the views or any particular
party. Replying 10 Healy, BalfOur said the
biij would not affect the police system Of
Ireland. and the incident Of taxation would
remain as al present. In conclusion, Bal
four said he did not pretend that the bill
would regenerate Ireland, but sincerely
thought the Irish Tate-payeT had a right 20
claim the same measure granted in England
and Scotland. He therefore recommended
the bill to the favorable attention Of the
House.
John Morley characterized the bill as
"the rOttenest reed the minority ever leaned
on for the retention Of its privileges" He
declared the measure was fraud in
its absolute distTust Of the irish
people. In fact il proceeded on the
assumption that they were "debased
heots" The whole opposition broke 70 rth
into cheers when Morley called on the Gov
ernment to go before the people on the
measure. In concluding he affirmed that
the bill was a mOckery; it was Justification
Of the pledges Of the Government and fur
nished grounds for the manifestation Of
further irritation in Ireland.
John Redmond protested against tile
measure as ''a sham bill" He could not
conceive how any Government would be so
full Of mbecility as to 90 before the country
on such hill.
Justin Mccarthy advised the Government
to burn the bill.
Heay said be never knew Of a more con
temptible bill
Harcourt said the bill was more insulting
to the IrIsh than he could cohesive OF. 1t
bore the stamp of Chamberlain, who was
"the mother Of the bill"
BalfOuT denied that the bill was insulting
to ireland, If, owing TO obstruction the
present bill should not be passed local gov
ernment for Ireland would be indefinitely
postponed The only reason why the Irish
parties should ObstTuct the bill was that il
contained the machinery to stop c0TTup ton
and oppression. The only inference was
that they desired to make something out Of
the councils. At this the whole opposition
Joined IN crying "shame," while the Con-
seTvatlves cheeTed.
LaboucheTe said Balfour was 'between
the devil and the deep sea-" He had to in
tToduce a bill to satisfy his master, Cham
Derlaln, and had to persuade the CUnseTva-
tlyes that the bill was a sham.
Chamberlain denied that he assisted in
the Work OF framing the bill. He said he
approved Of the manner IN which the Gov
ernment had redeemed its pledges. The
safeguards introduced in the bill in regard
10 corruption we're those that the Ameri-
cans, the most Democratic people in the
world. introduced into their constitution
An American Legislature could be brought
before the Supreme Court
James Brce Of the South Division OF
Aberdeen, Liberal In favor Of home rule for
Ireland, denied there was any comparison
between the proposed councils in Ireland
and the relation in which the American
State Legislatures stood 10 the Supreme
Court, which had only the power 10 nullfy-
an act passed by q Legislature in excess of
It's powers.
I. ID. Sullivan said he recognized in the
insulting safeguards Of the bill the hands Of
Lord Salisbury who dubbed Irishmen Hot
tentots" and "lopers."
Sexton said never In his parliamentary
experience had he seen so incompetent a
bill.
William Redmond REGARDED the bill as the
deathbed repentance. because the Govern
ment did not dare to appeal 10 the country
on It's coerciye policy alone. 1t was the
most studied insult that BalfOur had ever
leyeed at the Irish people.
The bill passed the first reading. BaliOur
hxed the second reading for March 8. The
Liberals are eXultant, regarding the bill as
hnal blow to the Governments chances in
the coming general election. Both sec
items OF the Irish members intend to oppose
the bill to the utmost.
GOLD FROM ABROAD.