St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-14
IMPERIAL REPRESENTATION.
What Shall Be the Number of
Irish Members Of Parliament?

What Shall Be the Number Of
Irish Members Of Parliament?
Retention involves two points-first,
as to numbers, and secondly, as to vot-
ing power. Now, as to the first ques
tion-that of numbers-is Ireland to be
fully represented in the house? Well,
probably the feeling will be in favor of
the affirmative. Then arises another
dlfficulty-what is full representation
for Ireland? In 1884 the house treated
Ireland in wise and liberal spirit by
assigning 1913 members to that country.
That number was then beyond what,
according to the calculations of popula-
ton in this country. Ireland was en-
titled to, and it is claimed that unhap-
PLY the disparity has since been aggre-
gated by a double process. The popu-
lation of Great Britain has increased,
while that of Ireland has dimin
islfed, and has now reached a
point that, whereas formerly en-
titled to 103 members, it would. &C
cording to this same ratio, no% have
eighty. There ought to be general
determination to interpret full repre-
sentation as meaning representation
according to existing population.
Speaking of full representation then, |
imply that the representation i'll the
house from Ireland would be composed
of eighty Irish gentlemen. OF course,
it follows that there would have to be
an election. These eighty members
from Ireland in the house would prOba-
bly, he indiSposed to recognize COM
mission given to 1913 members, SO when
it had been determined that eighty was
the proper number, we endeavored to
arrange the schedule of the bill III such
a manner that this imperial representa-
ton would practically not clash with
representation in the legislature at Dub
lin.
''Now comes the greatusdifficulty-
what voting power are these eighty
members to have? Ireland is to be rep
resented here fully, that is my first
postulate. My second po5tulate is that
Ireland is to be invested with separate
power. subject, no doubt, to imperial
perience practically separate a certain
independent power. as has been done in
other legislatures of the empire. Ire
land is to be endowed with separate
powers over Irish affairs. Then the
question before us is: Is she, or is she
not to vote so strongly upon matters
purely British? propose this question
in the true parliamentary form-aye or
nSe There are reasons both ways. We
cannot cut them off in manner per-
fectly clean and clear from these ques-
tons. We cannot find an absolutely
accurate line or cleavage between
questions that are imperial questions
and those that are Irish questions.
Unless the Irish members are allowed
to vote on all British questions. they
must have too little or too much, be-
cause they are questions which defy our
efforts to arrange them with accuracy
and decision on the proper side of the
line as either English or Irish. We do
not see the possibility of excluding
them from one of the highest and most
important functions of the house
namely. that of determining the compO-
stion of the executive power. A vote
of confidence is a simple declaration,
but may be others. | do not see that it
is possible to exclude Irish members
from voting Oh that great subject.
Next, unless Irish members vote on all
questions, you break the parliamentary
tradition. The presence of eighty mem
bers with only limited powers of voting
is a serious breach of that tradition,
which, whether you choose to face it,
ought to be made subject of most care
full consideration"