Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-04-22
ANOTHER STEP TAKEN
Home Rule Bill Has Passed
 the Second Reading.
LEADERS MAKE GREAT SPEECHES

Mr. Gladstone Answers-Ths Closure ApplIed-A Majority ofA5.
 LONDON, April 22-Gladstone and Home Rule scored another victory last night, when, after a day of debating, the motion on the question of putting the bill on it's second reading was carried by the vote of 347 ayes to BOA nays. Previous to the division Mr. Balfour had develivered a long speech and Mir. Gladstone had an- swered him in a summing up speech, clos ing the debate
 When MT. Gladstone, after the division, returned to the lobby he received tre- mendous ovation, and the enthusiasm was almost unprecedented.
 The Prince of Wales and other high dig nitaries attended the sitting in the Peers gallery.
 Early in the evening the debate was monopolized by minor members. Their speeches were featureless, and by o'clock the benches were more than half empty. At 10 o'clock MT. Gladstone entered hur- riedly and, amidst cheers, took his seat on the treasury bench. Members began to return rapidly. At 10:3U MT. Balfour was received with cheers. All the members had meantime taken their places.
 MT. Balfour held the strict attention of the House. He began at about 0 o'clock and spoke for an hour and half.
 He spoke of the bill as childish imita- tion of the Constitution of the United States.
 He argued at some length that coercion in Ireland had been productive of benef- cient results, and that under the last Sails bury Cabinet the union was becoming tranquil. Agrarian crime in Ireland. he said, was a national disease of ancient growth. It was not a product or the union of Ireland and England. Mir. Balfour was interrupted by confu- sion among the Irish members and upon resuming his speech repeated with empha- sis that agrarian crime in Ireland was at it's worst before the union. This statement evoked loud cries of "No!" "Falsel" and Shame!" from the Irishmen.
 Under wiser legislation in recent years this crime had decreased in virulence Since Ireland had been united with En- gland the condition of both Irish farmer and Irish laborer had improved immensely. It was absurd to hold England responsible for Ireland's woes. although it might be admitted that England had sometimes played sorry part toward her sister country. H Il lne government, in tn, ir madness, gave Ireland a Parliament, they would not be restoring an ancient privilege, but would be granting the country something that she never before possessed. He then described the bill as decisive step toward separation, although not final one. To make it law, he said, would lead ultimately to the disintegration of the Elm pire. He next discussed in considerable detail the financial aspect of Home Rule. The bill, if passed, would entail loss and hardship upon all classes in Ireland. Irish ambitions would centre in the new Dublin Parliament. Irishmen would look upon the Imperial Parliament as a foreign and defeated body.
 'If you commit this great political crime," said MT. Balfour, in closing his speech, you may may make yourselves re- sponsible for an irreparable national disas- ter, and all hope for a peaceful and united Ireland will vanish forever" Prolonged cheers and counter-cheers fol | lowed the peroration.
 As Mir. Gladstone rose to address the House the cheering was renewed. Like Mr. Balfour he was in splendid form. His l during the session, and his movements gave evidence of unusual energy and earn ! estness.
 He said that everything hitherto de manded by Ireland had been refused be- cause she was regarded with distrust and disbelief. Her loyal acceptance of the present bill should cause distrust and dis belief to vanish.
 There had been no disaffection of the Irish mind since the door of hope had been | opened. To deny Ireland Home Rule was | to say that she lacked the ordinary facul- ties of humanity. Before the cheering ceased George Bart ley, c nservative for North Islington, rose to continue the debate MT. Bartley was
 one of the opposition members who signed
 the manifesto declaring that they would stand on their right to participate in the debate on the second reading
 He and the movement of which he was
 a part were quickly suppressed. MT. Nor
 ley, Chief Secretary for Ireland, moved the
 closure, and it was adopted without, divi- sion. John Redmond shouted: "Three
 cheers for Parnell!" but the only response | was laughter.
 Crowds had gathered outside the build ing, and, as the Prime Minister rode away | he was followed by their cheers