The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-15

what cnance 95uld there be under the pro-
| posed Irish parliament for their executing
iusticefI IL the sxigencies OF law, he said,
made IL necessary for them to render an un-
popular decision on some agrarian question,
motion would be made in the Irish parlia-
ment to reduce the salaries OF the offending
| judges. The consequences were painful TO
contemplate. The proposals OF the govern
ment as the constabulary, were, Mr.. Balfour
continued, also grossly unjust.
Mr.. Balfour then criticised the plan OF
creating three Constituencies OF different
forms in Ireland, sending members TO the
Irish assembly, to the Imperial parliament
and to an Irish second chamber The adop-
tion of such a scheme would, he declared,
plunge affairs into a condition OF hopeless
enlargement He did not think the propos-
al for q second chamber would stand free
parliamentary criticism. Its professed OBJ
iect was the protection of minorities, but the
minority sought TO be protected was con-
cerned in the ownership of the land. The
whole scheme was fertile with danger.
The legislative body, to vote for a member
ratable valuable, would be a most shadowy
safeguard.for minorities. A safeguard based
upon property qualification was worth lit
Tie more than the paper upon which its title
was written Conservative cheers.) The
whole tendency of Democratic legislation
was TO sweep away the arbitrary distinctions
IGanded cbamSsr upon wealth; Therefore. If such
II must inevitably become the object of such
concentrated attack in Ireland as to be swept
away by the first on-rush of public feeling.
II Parliament were asked to provide any
thing like safeguard for minorities, they
were also asked to
Ignore Every Lesson of History
that democratic states were capable OF az
fording. (Cheers). As to the exercise OF a
veto power by the imperial parliament, Mr..
Balfour held that such provision would lead
to legislative deadlock in either the Eng
lish or the Irish parliament. (Hear, hear,
1t was idle for Mr. Gladstone to talk to
them OF the analoRies of colonial legislatures.
The question could not be argued as IN Ire
land in any respect resembled a colony. They
were told that imperial supremacy would fig
ure largely in the preamble OF the bill; but
what he desired to know was whether there
would be in the bill itself a valid declaration
that the British parliament would have a real
operative supremacy over the Irish parlia-
ment. (Cheers). II had been said from the
Irish benches that there would he imperial
supremacy on the understanding that an hon
orable bargain was entered into between the
Imperial government and an Irish Par
lament. Such a supremacy would never be
exercised. lLaughter)
speaking for his political associates Mr..
balfour declared no such bargain possi-
bic or would be made. IL the supremacy OF
the British parliament was TO be preserved, IL
must be by form Of supremacy which would
be operative. They would not allow this
weapon for the exercise and maintenance OF
Justice to rust in their hands. II they could,
through the exercise OF the constitutional
power entrusted 10 the Imperial parliament
do something TO initiate the evils they fore
saw hs certain 10 result from the establish
ment OF an Irish legislature, they would not
neglect TO do their duty. (Cheers).
When the Irish members ask for colonial
legislature, they ask for what is absolutely
impossible. III not already
Impossible by the Constitution.
such legislature is rendered impossible by
the very bill which we are discussing. Eigh-
ty Irish members are to be retained AZ West
minister. As they would vote on imperial
subjects, IL would be for Irish members 90 de-
eide who should sit on the ministerial bench
es. (Hear, hear) lt is vain TO say they
would have the far greater power OF deciding
VINO should have charge of those bills. The
whole scheme Is simply impossible OF execu-
tion.
II is proposed, said Bslfour. TO give ireland
bonus Of 900 pounds. This 500 900 pounds
represents capital of 10000 pounds. and
why ought this country 60 give Ireland seven.
teenP The only reason which | can conceive
is the confession that we have been beaten
and must pay this amount az a sort of war i'm
demnity. (LaughterD Ulster landlords in
ireland are opposed TO this scheme. They
know who their masters will be II the scheme
be carried into effect.
The disloyal portion % Ireland find in most
oi the bill the goal or their desires n Ia not
likely, however, that they will be content
with scheme which would give ireland
much less freedom than is enjoyed by any
self governing colony under the empire
Those concerned in framing this bill are not
deficient in ingsnpil, esiliiy, zeal OF dutx,