Evening journal., 1893-04-13
NEWSPAPER OPINION.
Gladstone begins the Real right


Gladstone Begins the Real Fight.
Hartford Post
The critical time in Mr.. Gladstone's
championship of the Irish Home Rule
bill has come, and its fate as we'll as the
fate of Gladstone and his government
will be matter of earnest speculation
from now till the time of settlement.
The second reading Of the bill has been
moved in Parliament, the real debate has
begun, and the vote will determine the
future. To this bill it should be borne
In mind master mind has devoted its
energy. Gladstone is not simply the most
intellectual man in England in his line of
activity, but he has devoted more than
any other man time and study to this
measure. We may assume. therefore.
that in the existing state of things no
better bill could be devised Yet we
must notice the fact that the reception
OF the measure has not been enthusias-
tic even In the ranks Of those who have
the greatest interest in being its friends
Bitter opposition from the North of Ire
land was to be expected. The Northern
lrishmen has no sympathy with what
Is called in Southern Ireland Home Rule
80 that it is far from a united Ireland
that is asking for Home Rule
From the South Of Ireland also
have come earnest protests from
the commercial and financial in
terests. Even from the camp Of
those who have been vigorously fighting
for Home Rule for years there are eX
pressions Of doubt few Of complete sat
isfaction. For example, Mr.. Sexton
strongly objects to the financial arrange
ments proposed by the bill because, he
alleges, that the contribution demanded
greatly exceeds the actual profit which
the imperial eXohequer now takes from
Ireland. He thinks such an amount
would impoverish Ireland the population
OF which has diminished and is diminish
ing, and he thinks there would be no
possibility of Ireland getting a surplus.
Yet, If Mr. Gladstone had not
made this pecuniary demand part
OF this bill he could not have
made it satisfactory to many whose
support he absolutely needs. While
Mr. Mccarthy likes most features of the
bill he does not like the financial clauses,
but he expects TO see it pass, and he
does not think the House of Lords would
dare TO veto IL twice. Mr. Redmond.
another leading Irish member. praises
the BILL but Tidicules the idea that IL is
a final statement tits not what Ireland
demands. But the question arises
whether it is not all that England will
give and whether, If Gladstone should
revise the bill TO suit the not altogether
harmonious Irish Home Rulers he
would not find it impossible 10 hold the
liberal English support which he needs.
Among many it is thought to be fatal
proposal OF the bill to insist as a corrol
larry OF the establishment of local sub
ordinate Parliament at Dublin upon the
partial destruction of the imperial Par
lament at Westminster. In practical
ELECT the House of Commons stands
above the throne aud above the lords.
Without that England would have no
government. Gladstone's proposal to
put into this body eighty men who are
sometimes to vote and who are some
times not to is one that will be criticised
by his opponents in an effective way. It
seems TO be a weak point. For in
stance, when vote in the Commons
is against the Ministry it is customary
for the Ministry to withdraw. If the
Home Rule bill were now ia effect. the
eighty Irish members voting only on
Imperial questions. Gladstone would and
himself in majority Of twenty on some
questions, and in minority of thirty
on others. 1t would apparently result
In great confusion. 1t would result
practically in two houses politically
opposed to each other, and perpetually
coming into conflict with each other. An
these questions will be extensively dis.
eussed in the debates, and we do not
look to see the bill become law with.
out considerable notifications demanded
by the English, and which, of course.
would be violently opposed by the Irish.