The morning call., 1893-08-20
HOME RULE IN THE TOLLS.

The real object of Mr.. Chamberlain s
latest strategy in Parliament is in accord
with his one attitude of consistency, that
of anything to embarrass Mr.. Gladstone 8
Government. Accidents of debate may
develop some weakness operative against
the Governments resolve to hold an au-
tumE session and proceed with some useful
legislation for which credit can be claimed,
apart from the home-rule bill for Ireland.
To render abOrtive this au'umn session is
the fixed aim of Tories and Liberal Union
lists. That was the motive of carrying on
discussion ad nauseam on the Irish legis-
lation. The opposition said: "Do what is
possible 10 kill this. but let nothing else be
gained" The Government has strained
every nerve 60 proceed with the programme
with which it opened Parliament. On the
other hand the opposition has endeavored
to balk this programme by all the devices
of Parliamentary strategy, and undis-
guised flibustering added as a fine art.
Having enjoyed over sixty days Of home
rule discussion. wandering wide over the
wastes of vitupera ton and recrimination
the opposition, and Mr.. Cham berlain in par
ticular, denoun ced closure as throttling, and
frittered eway what time there was with
cheerful indifference so long as time was
lost No measure within this century has
dallied SO long in its various stages or has
had such an opportunity of being thorough
ly sifted from the first line to the last. But
that counts for nothing when the avowed
object is not to discuss but to play a foul
Parliamentary game TO boast that years
might be wasted in the same fashion on
clauses not even glanced at
On the report stage there has been
ample opportunity to debate any point,
but, just as in committee, the opposition
is underhand. Naturally there is limit
of patience, and Mr.. Gladstone gives notice
of closure. Whereupon the opposition
ouivers with Indignation at the menaced
liberties of free Parliament, and Mr.
Chamberlain declares that there should
be a dissolution and an appeal TO the
country. Parliament will vote this amend
ment down, but meanwhile there is further
sacrifice of the fag-end days of the session.
That there will be any dissolution at this
moment is out of the question. The Lords
will be invited TO pass on the legislai ion
for Ireland. That august b, dy will reject
il. as Lord Salisbury has said it Will. But
still there will be no dissolution. The day
has gone by when it is worth while to
dissolve precisely at the bidding Of the
second chamber, as the peers should be
styled. Next year the home-rule bill
will again be laid before their lOrdships,
and they may wreck it a second time, and
take the consequences of an appeal to the
electors wherein thew and their privileges
must be in the front of the battle. Mean
while other useful work will have been
done by the Liberal Ministry.
Thus far the voice of the country is with
Mr.. Gladstone. His supporters have been
with little exception unwavering and loyal
throughout this trying struggle. On the
third reading every Irlshman who is a
nationalist will vote for home rule. But
opponents do not omit from their calcua-
iions that Mr.. Gladstone is old and may
be stricken at any time. They have done
their best 10 hasten the breaking up of his
powers, but quite Intellectually. for of all
the young men in Parliament this session
Mr. Gladstone is among the youngest in
feeling and capacity for work. His vital
iiy is spurred by strife. There is no paral-
ie 10 this session. Tie combatants are
worn out, but they must be summon ed
again soon, and a majority of them like
the prospect, from the fact that it will
beat the Tories in the harrying game they
have unblushingly devised.