New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-01

ceving the approval of the maJorit! Oh the
electors of the United Kingdom" Moreover,
the Lords might require that the Dill before
becoming law should receive the assent OF a
majority of the electors both Oi ufeal britain
and OF Ireland"
Professor Dicey is not influenced Ill al! de-
gree by the fact that two general eiec'lohs
have already been held with Home h'le is The
supreme issue. In 1856 Mr.. Gladstone INTRO
duced his Home Rule bill and appealed to the
country directly upon it, The appeal was not
sustained. I'm S92 the general elec'lohS were
again held and Mr. Gladstone with iione hlle
as his principal issue restored 10 power.
The electors practically reversed their previous
Judgment and placed Mr. Gladstone IN ONCE
TO carry ont his Irish policy. Inc hlohiStS
now coolly propose to have two supplementary
appeal, to the electorate before an Irish Pallia-
ment can be established. The first appeal
must be taken directly on the Home Ruie bill
as passed by the Commons ana rejected pH the
Lords. If the Glad,tOnlanS VIM there must
be a second or in reality the fourth appear 10
the country on the same Issue lhiS last
Referendum summons must he TO dual
celebrates. \ majority of all the constlt-
ucncies in the United Kingdom will not suffice
for sustaining the appeal. The Home Rule
bill must receive the assent OF na)ofl'! Oh
the electors both of Great Britain and OF Ire
land.
II is remarkable that I'nionist leaders who
are constantly charging Mr. Gladstone with
violating constitutional law and precedent
should themselves recommend policies which
I'm
lutionary. The House of Lords undoubtedly
has the right of exercising SuspensiVc veto
of the Home Rule bill, although the constt-
ucncicS of the United Kingdom have already
armed the Commons with mandate Tor us
enactment. But how will il be possible to
iustifv the action of the Lords in demanding
a special Referendum. if the next elections are
carried by the Home Rulers? The Home kule
bill will he the basis Of appeal. II the country
be consulted after the rejection OF the measure
nv the Lords If the electors sustain Nr.
Gladstone. the Lords would certainly have 10
ground for asking for what Is only possible
in a small state like Sviizciland-a specific
Referendum requiring a yea and nay vote
from the people. Moreover. the proposal to
submit this Referendum TO Great Britain and
Ireland separately and To require "A majority
vote in each half of the hited kingdom' Is
entirely without constitutional warrant.
It has been the fashion among the nlonists
TO speak Of the majority in Great Britain or III
England against Home Rule as fatal obstacle
70 Mr.. GladStonc> policy. That Is distinctly
Scparaiist and diSunon view of the matter.
In Parliament representing the nltcd klns-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland malorIfleS
cannot be made up OH sectional lines without
invalidating the act OF union. hen that
act was passed both the Irish and the English
pariamcntS ceased T. exist. There was one
Parliament for the United Kingdom. and II has
power al any time - repeal or modIl! Inc
act of union The idea that legislative union
is partnership. which cannot be dissolved
without obtaining the direct assent by Refer
cndum vote Of a majority OF the voters OF 'feai
Britain rs well a> majority in Ireland. has no
warrant whatever in the British Constitution.