The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-14
the Roman Catholic population in
the political movement which distin-
guished that period" Cheers,
MERITS oT the BILL,


MERITS OF THE BILL
He would nov, he said, ask the pa
tient indulgence of the house while
giving review Of the bill. [Cheers,l
He could not undertake to supply a
mere table OF contents, The bill, ii he
did, would probably bewilder his hear
ers, IIe would rather seek to present
the salient points, hoping to leave a
living impression on the minds and
| memories of his hearers, Ii he might
omit what in view OF some member
ought to be- mentioned, therefore he
begged them to wait and consult the
bill itself, which he hoped would soon
BIO in their hands, 1t would be remen-
bered that the bill OF 1856 laid down
five propositions us cardinal prln ciples
to which he endeavored closely to ad-
here. Changes there were, but no
trenchant change he declared from the
principles OF 1885. The object OF the
bill remained, Rs in 1886, to establish a
legislative body in Dublin for the con.
duet OF both legislation and administra'
ion in Irish as distinct from imperial
affairs, LCheers,
The limiting conditions which were
then observed, and have since so far as
we were able to do, been sedulolsly and
closely observed, were these:
1--WE were to do nothing inconsistent
with imperial unity. OF this will say,
whatever our opponents may say, that
so far as our convictions and Intentions
are concerned they would be but feebly
stated couched in the declaration
that we do uot mean to impair it, We
wish to strengthen it [Cheers, We
wish to give It greater intensity than 1t
had ever yet possessed. First, then,
imperial unity is observed and the
equality Of all ia observed; secondly,
the equality OF all the kingdoms would
be borne in mind; thirdly, there would
be equitable re-partition OF imperial
chargesi iourthly, every practical pro-
vision for the protection OF minorities
would be included.
"The pan proposed ought TO bo such
as to present the necessary character
istics OF real and continued settlement.
In the first place, we have made it de-
sire to meet what We thought no UNI
reasonable demand for the express
mention OF the supremacy oil the inn
porial parliament. There were two
methods in which that might be done.
1t might be done by clausei it might be
done in the preamble. With reference
to the charge frequently made with good
faith made against us, that We are de-
stroying tho act OF union, wish to
challenge inquiry upon this fahda..
mental point. What Is the essence Of
the act of union Hear, hearl That
essence Is to be appreciated by COM
pairing the constitution OF things found
in the country before 1900 with the
constitution OF things now subsisting in
England. Before 1900 We had two
sovereignties in the country, one OF those
was collectively lodged in the king,
the house OF lords and commons Of
England, and the other lodged in the
king and house OF lords and commons of
Ireland. There was no more right in
true historical and legal sense in the
sovereignty residing in Great Britain to
interfere with the sovereignty Of Ire
land than the sovereignty OF ireland to
interfere with the sovereignty OF Eng
land. The bill respects and maintains
these rights OF sovereignty equally
throughout the entire range OF the
three kingdoms. Then the bill con-
stitutes the Irish legislature, Power is
granted to the Irish Legislature which
consists, first OF all, OF n legislative coun-
Gil; secondly, OF legislative assembly
empowered to make laws for the police,
order and good government Of Ireland
| III respect to matters exclusively relat-
ing to Ireland or TO part thereof That
power is subject to n double limitation.
First OF all it is subject to necessary
and. obvious limitations, imposing cer-
| tain incapacities OIL the Irish pariia.
ment, including all that relates to the
crown, regency, or tho viceroyalty.
The subjects OF peace and war, public
defense, treaties aud foreign relations,
dignities, titles, law and treason do not
belong to the Irish Legislature"
An important provision is for tho APP
polntment Of an executive committee Of
the privy council Of Ireland. We pro-
pose to make this an executive coancil
for the ordinary affairs OF the cabinet OF
the viceroy,
Next, as to tho legislative council, Mr..
Gladstone said he did not think they
would have been warranted without
somo strong necessity IN establishing
the system Of single chamber; but in
ireland, he added, far from finding any
such necessity, we look TO the lcgisla-
tive council as enabling us to meet tho
expectation that we shall give to tho
minority some means OF freer and fuller
| nonuidnro finn nf Ito ViNWR
Regarding the legislative assembly,
the l03 members must be elected for
Irish legislative business by constituen-
cies in Ireland. The bill must include
a provision ior.meetlng what is called
| deadlock.
In case where bill has boen
adopted by assembly once, and where
there is an interval Of two years be.
tween the two adoptions, or dissolu.
ton OF parliament, thon upon Its second
adoption tho two assemblies may be re.
Quirod to meet and tho iato Of the bill
is 10 bo decided in joint assembly.
[Cheers. Next, all appeals shall lio to
tho privy council alone, not TO the
council and lords. Tho privy council
may try tho question OF tho invalidity
OF any Irish act, that is, try II judicially
ani with reasonable judgment, under
tho initiative Of the vceroy or secretary
OF state. This judicial committee Is
now recognized 5y us ns the only np-
nroach we can mako to tho supreme
court OF the United States. In Conpos-
ing this judicial committee duo regard
must DO had to tho different elements
Of nationality. [Cheors.
"We propose agradual reduction OF
the eonstRbHlary, aud tho ultimate dis
solution or disuppearance Of tina. force
| with thu dlanhnrirh OF aYnrY Utilization