The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-01
AWAY WITH THE LORDS,
CRY or THE NATIONAL LEAGUE,
GLADsTOSE's 10 THE CONTRARY.
Strong Current Among the Masses in OPP
position TO the Upper House--Coal Strike
Assumes a Political Aspect.
Special cable letter copyrighted 1898 by
the United Press)

Special cable letter, copyrighted 1893 by
LONDON, ENG, Sept. 3d.
The agitation against the House OF Lords
has abated. This is due partly 20 Glad
stones cautious attitude towards the sub
ject, and partly to the absence during
the holidays Of the Liberal and
Radical members OF tho House Of
Commons. The pause I'm Parliamentary
activity has given the Conservatives
time 10 collect themselves and make a
show OF courage. Home Rule is dead
forever, say the Tory newspapers. The
Liberal leaders may rave against the
Upper House, but on sober second thought
they dare not menace It's existence or
counteuance a national movement TO
end IL.
The assurance with which Tory organs
like the Times and the Standard reiterate
this statement, Is not, however, we'll
grounded impending developments are pre-
pairing within the great Liberal organi-
zations throughout the country 20 shat
ter this confidence. The acquiescence OF
the Liberals and Radicals is merely on
the surface. Since Gladstone made his
speech the Executive Committee OF the
National Liberal Federation have recelv-
ed by letter, telegram and word OF
mouth, thousands OF remonstrances
against delaying or abaung the agitation
against the Peers. Virtually all the pro-
vincial branches OF the Federation have
made such remOnstrances, and the Exc
cutiye Committee, consequently. have
decided 10 call special conference TO
consider the question before the regular
Congress Of the organization.
The National Reform Union, Liberal
society Of great influence in the PROV
inces, has anticipated this conference by
arranging 10 make at Manchester Liver
pool, Birmingham and other commercial
centres, series OF demonstrations
against the Peers. The National Lib
eral Club, In London. meantime. viii re-
main probably inactive, relying on the
early action OF the Federation executive
committee. The members, however, are
ready TO subscribe n large fund with
which 10 facilitate the present movement.
10 this club IS due the existence OF the
National League, whose avowed object
is the abolition OF the House OF Lords.
The initiative I'm forming the league came
from wor1lngmen's Radical clubs. With
all their enthusiasm these clubs were
almost without money 10 help them
spread their ideas. They have now the
assurance OF help from the National LIB
eral people. and know that whatever
money Is needed to make the league
a strong factor in keeping alive the fervor
OF the working classes will not be want
ing. with this backing. the league,
although but one week old, gives signs
Of strong and practical activity. After
the encouragement given II by the Ma
tional Liberal Cub, the main cause OF
its vitality IS the genuine earnestness OF
81 tim, ~ tas
away with the Lords" Their guiding
principle is that the policy OF waiting
Is a mere waste Of the nations time and
onergy, and an obstructioa or parlia-
mentary progress.
Samuel Storey. n Radical Home Ruler,
sitting for Sunderland, Will present In
the name OF the League. as soon as Par
lament shall reassemble, vigorous
petition asking for legislation against the
dangers which have resulted from the
continued existence pf the House of
Lords. To those behind the scenes, the
of them prophesy that In the early tu-
Peers have been In no way darkened by
Mr. Gladstone's attitude. In fact many
OF them prophecy that In the early fu-
ture the movement will be 20 accelerated
as 10 embarass those Liberal leaders who
now show an inclination to hold 1t back
or mask its significance.
Politics In the Coal Strike.
The great coal strike has now assumed
a political, as well as social. aspect
Tho few mine owners, who profess Will
iingness TO compromise with the men,
and DO not stand firm on their proposal
to reduce wages % per cent, are solely
Gladstonlans. On tho other hand, the
Tory and most Liberal Unlonist mine
owl.crs proclaim themselves ready for war
10 the death. only one Liberal unionist
has had the courage 10 cut loose from
his Tory colleagues. He is Charles Seely'
NJ. L. fOr the West Division or Noting
ham. and large owner OF coal In three
countries. lie has given the owners ied-
erations notice Of his resignation, ana on
Monday will take 5000 miners 90 work
at their old wages. No political issue
has been introduced directly .nto the con-
Aict. but none the less the miners have
been keen to observe the political ami
iaiiOns of thir friends and enemies,
and will not be likely TO forget the
Gladstonian candidates at the next gem
eral election. The effect OF the strike
on prices OF household coal has become
more noticeable daily. The people OF LOn-
don complain that they are In the hands
OF a coal ring The coal prices have
been IN fact pushed up at every opportu-
nifty by a crowd Of spectators who ma
nipulate the quotations. At al the
oreaf mining centres where some or
the collieries are stlll worked, the ad-
vance Of price has been considerable.
but far from warrlnting the appalling
figures quoted here. Some mine owners
even deny they advanced The prices
even fraction until a few days ago.
Oblivlous 20 All this. however, the coal
ring continues 20 make every failure 10
settle the dispute and excuse for new
increase of retail values and thus are
gathering an unprecedented harvest OF
profits.
The u1lldness Of the weather has miti-
gated fho hardship OF the crisis for the
moor. Nevertheless men and women are
seen I'm almost every street, grubblng
along after stray bits of coal and wood.
IN streets where the old wooden pave
nents are being repaired hundreds fight
daily for the chips fn The coal districts.
affected Immediately by the STRIKE, the
starvation IA appalling The strike pay
I'm the few districts whore the unions are
still able 20 make A. Is utterly inadequate
20 the needs o. the miners families.
Where there is no such pay all are desi-
tute. Tie public. just aroused 20 reaii-
zatlon OF this distress, have subscribed
freely FOR soup kitchens, etc.
Dispatches from Calcutta say that the
flow OF bar silver 90 India Is due partly
10 the demands made by the native mints
and by private enterprises for the Illegal
coinage OF rupees. As soon as the de-
cree suspending the lree coinage Of ell
yer was Issued. the Illegal coinage OF
rupees increased alarmlnGy. The gov
ernment has found as yet no means %
abating this evil.