The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-15
THE IRISH BILL.

Mr.. GladstOne's Introduction of the
new Irish bill in the house Of com
mons will rank as one of the grandest
forensic efforts IN recent years. 1t is
described as the most remarkable of
many famous speeches in a long and
brilliant leadership, remarkable for its
terse logic, appealing eloquence, and as
proof of the vitality and unyielding OPP
position of a man of Mr.. Gladstone's
years. 1t is said that the only evidences
of extreme age we're failing eyesight and
at times a weakening of voice in
a discussion. which would have worn
the energy of q man many years his
junior. 1t must be classed as the
browning effort of his life, unless I'M
foreseen exigencies arise.
While the bill by no means contains
all provisions desired by the radical
home rulers, it is a slngulary polite
measure. 1t was framed with the pur-
pose of securing from the English gov
eminent the beginning Of home rule for
Ireland, and if it passes will doubtless
be developed from time to time until
the local government becomes some
thing more than a mere adjunct of
English authority. The prime object
now is the passage of any home rule
bill, and that which contains the best
promises OF success Is the most feasible.
The present measure comes nearer the
fulblment OF these requirement than
any heretofore presented.
Tho limitations TO government in Ire
land under the provisions of this bill are
very pronounced. There is nothing
like the authority given to the provin-
cial governments of Canada and Aus
tralia. Tine most significant feature is
that preventing tho proposed parlia-
ment from all manner Of legislation
with the land laws. As the root of all
troubles III Ireland IL landlordlsm. it
would seem That very little would be
accomplished by the proposed change,
and yet IN order To pass II bill OF any
sort tins precaution would he necessary
to secure English support. The linn
itation Cd TINS branch Of legislation is
however, 10 exist for five years. and n,
the end of that time 1t IS possible tina
home rulers would he able to ACT OF
this question in "A decisive way. The
Irish parliament is also prohibited from
any legislation respecting the establish.
ment OF religion, or the free exercise
thereof, or imposing any disabilities OF
account of religious beliefs, or lnterfer
ing with rights of property, or enactina
any Legislation i'll any way Interfering
with the home rule act. The gubiec'
of coinage is also withheld from the
Legislative privileges. In other respects
the Irish local government would have
powers assigned To many of on. stat,
Legislators. 1T would be empowered t.
frame laws relating 10 taxation, repu
late local courts and other branches o
legislation, which would make it neceg.
sary, Bs the bill says, TO amend and re-
peal laws for the peace. order and gov
eminent Of Ireland Under the term
the old Irish parliament will be restored
with an upper house consisting Of 10
members, seventY-iive elective an,
twenty-eight peerage members. On,
qualification for o~lectlon is the posses
sion OF property securing an annual in
como of $1,000. 1t is provided that one
fourth of the members shall retire ever
fifth year.
While it il thus seen that the Eng