The record-union., 1893-02-15
GladstOne's Home Rule Bill Con-
sidered a Good Measure.
MUCH BETTER THAN THE ACT PRO
POSED IN 1886
While Many Objections Are Urged, 1t
is Generally Approved by Leading
Irishmen-Balfour Replies to the
Premier's Speech, Severely Critics.
ing Many Features of the Bill Pro-
posed by the Government.
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

LONDON, teD. l4.-Wllllam OBrleD,
Member of Parliament for Cork City,
said this morning, in an interview re-
garding the home-rule bill:
1T seems to me the main principles of
the bill provide for better settlement of
the home-rule question than that of 1886.
! Our chief reservation is on financial pro-
posals. 1t remains to be seen whether
Gladstone's surplus of 95O0,OO0 is real.
Sexton, Dillon, Blake and others of our
friends fear the full extent of Irish local
charges has not yet been taken into ac-
count. The proposed contribution for
the support of the police will involve a
formidable drain for the first few years.
1risbmen will hold their opinions on
such matters at present, and do the
threshing out when the figures are fully
examined and understood. Neverthe-
less, the main lines of the bill are noble
and sufficient in settlement of the
national claims. We are able heartily to
recommend Irish acceptance of the meas
ure. 1t gives substantial control over
our domestic affairs. We should not be
justified in resenting provisions giving
the minority adequate representation,
and providing for veto by the Crown
and the supremacy of the Imperial Par
! Lament. The second Chamber will
doubtless be considerable of drag, and
the franchise of e20 will probably insure
a majority of the Council for Tory land
owners, who are certain to combine
| against any extravagant proposals on
the part of the popular chamber This,
however, is not likely to be the Stun
bling block, as the Nationalists do not
contemplate revolutionary programme
The programme of the Nationalist
would be sympathetic and patriotic,
combining all sensible people in the
work of advancing the business interests
of Ireland. The police arrangements"
added O'Brien, ARE practically those
agreed upon with Parnell at Boulogne.
The bulk of the present force would
| doubtless be re-engaged under Irish au-
thority. The checks upon the appoint
ment ofjudges are irksome, but possibly
useful. There are now too many Judges
in Ireland, but the chances are the more
rabid of these will retire on pensions.
at is q sacrifice to demand that Irish
men shall be debarred from touching the
land question for three years We rec
ognize that compromise is reasonable.
but must press TOR power to check the
present Land Commissioners, in the
me Anne, from saddling leaseholders
with rack rents. 1rishmen will probably
assent to reduction of membership at
| Westminster"
John Burns, the Labor member for
Battersea, said he was greatly pleased
with the bill, although from democratic
point of view it was not an ideal measure.
He objected to the veto power reserved
to the Crown, to the Second Chamber.
and especially to the election of that
Chamber by limited franchise. Burns
added that Notwithstanding these obiec-
tons he would certainly support the
| measure.
Gladstone spent an excellent night.
arose at the usual hour in hearty condi-
| ton, afterward proceeding to the House
of Commons to listen to his leading Con-
sentative antagonist, Right Hon. A. J.
| Balfour.
Following is statement of the contents
of the home rule bill officially handed
to correspondent
The bill offers Ireland Legislature. a
free deal in all Irish affairs, and an exec
utlve government responsible to that
Legislature. In all its main PRINCIPLES
and in the political machinery of its pro
visions it is much better than the bill of
1856. The Irish Parliamentary party. at
meeting after the delivery of Glad
stones speech, cordially accepted the
new Home-rule Constitution, subject to
endeavors in committee to improve the
| a1 &,,a, ,1
| have the time shortened wherein the
land question is to be withheld from the
purview of the Irish National Legisla-
ture. We are authorized by the party to
transmit this resolution to the friends
and supporters of Irish liberty in the
United States and Canada.
JOHN DILLON,
MICHAEL DAvITT.
BALFoUR REPLIES TO GLADSTONE.
LONDON, Feb. 14.-In the Commons to-
day Lord George ii amilton asked Glad
stone when he proposed to introduce a
bill dealing with the Irish land tenure.
Gladstone declined to commit the Gov
eminent to any pledge to introduce land
| bill.
Balfour then, amid loud Unionlst
cheers, began a reply to Gladstone's
SpteCA vi idSl cNtIluB. ne SdlQ. Inc
House, first of all, has right to INQUIRE
into why any bill, good or bad. is re-
quired. The Prime Minister must see
that bill of this magnitude is hardly
justified by any condition of affairs like
that from which the necessity of the
| Crimes Act arose. 1t is criminal at
tempt to set up in Ireland Legislature
practically independent of the Imperial
Parliament. Ulster at least deserved ex-
ceptional treatment, for which no provis-
ion appeared in the bill"
Balfour contended that the plan out
lined for dealing with the constabulary
and with civil servants of the Government
would certainly lead to an infiiction of
great hardships.
Balfour then proceeded to criticise the
plan creating three Constitutions of diff
ferent forms in Ireland. The adoption of
such scheme would, he declared. plunge
affairs into condition of hopeless en-
tanglement. Heart Hear. As to the
exercise of power by the Imperial Gov
eminent Parliament, Balfour held that
such provision would lead to legislative
deadlock in either the English or Irish
Parliament. 1t had been said that there
would be imperial supremacy on the I'M
Outstanding of an honorable bargain
entered into between the Imperial Gov
eminent and the Irish Parliament.