Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-14

f~1NNtu AElSu I dIlldmeub W6Ao tASIh-
selves not only willing. but Jealous sup
pos ters Of Irish nationality. Inasmuch
as their political life was at that period
more highly developed they led In the
Roman Catholic population in the polit-
ical movement which distinguished that
period. Cheers.
He would now, he said, ask the patient
indulgence Of the House while giving
review OF the bill. Cheers. He could
not undertake 10 supply mere table on
contents. The bill, If he did, would
probably bewi,der his hearers. He
wonld rather seek TO present the salient
points, hoping 10 leave living impress
sion on the minds and memories OF his
! hearers. II he might omit what in the
view OF some member ought 10 be men
toned therefore be begged them TO
wait and consult the bill Itself,
which he hoped would soon be in
their hands. 1t would be remembered
that the bin Of 1856 laid down five pro-
positions as cardinal principles TO which
/ be endeavored closely TO adhere.
Changes there were but no trenchant
change, he declared, from the princi-
pies Of 1856. The object Of the bill re-
ma.ued as in 1856, to establish a legis-
latiy5 body in Du0lin for the conduct OF
both the legislation and administration
in Irish as distinct from imperial az
sairs. [Cheers.
"The limiting conditions which were
! then observed and have since so far as
we were able to do, been sedulonsly
and closely observed are these;
"We were TO do nothing inconsistent
with imperial unity. OF this will say,
whatever our opponents may say, that
50 far as our convictions and intentions
are concerned, they would be but feebly
stated il couched in the declaration that
we DO not mean 10 impair IL. We wish
TO strengthen it. [Cheers. We wish
20 give 10 greater intensity than II had
ever yet possessed. First, then, i'm
Derial unity Is observed and the eQuali-
ty Of all is observed; secondly, the
equality of all the Kingdoms would be
borne in mind; thirdly, there would be
equitable re-partition OF imperial
charges; fOurthly, any and every prac-
ticable provision for the protection OF
miuOrities would be Included.
"The plan proposed ought to be such
as 20 present the necessary character
istics OF real and continued settlement
"In the first place, we have made 1t
desire 10 meet what We thought no I'M
reasonable demand for the express
mention Of the supremacy OF the I'm
perial parliament. There were two
methods in which that might be done.
IL might be done by clause; 10 might be
done n the preamble. We have chosen
the preamble as the worthier and bet
ter. for II il were done by clause it
would be too mucn in the character OF
mere enactment. OIt is not necessary
10 say many words for such q purpose.
Our words are
90 Whereas, IL is expedient without
impairing or restricting the supreme
authority Of Parliament and then the
preamble goes on TO declare the crea-
tion or the Irish legislature. With ref
erence 10 the charge frequently with
good faith made against US, that we are
destroying the act OF union, l wish TO
challenge inquiry upon this fundamen-
tai point. What is the essence Of the
act Of union? Hear, hear. That es-
sence is TO be appreciated by comparing
the constitution Of things found In the
country before 1900 with the cOnStitu
tiou OF things now SubSiSting in
/ England. Before 1890 we had two
/ sovereignties i'm the country, one
| OF those was collectively lodged in the
/ King. the House of Lords and Commons
Of England, and the other lodged in the
/ King and House Of Lords aud Commons
! Of ireland. There was no more right
I in true historical and legal sense in
/ the sovereignty residing la Great Bri-
/ tain 90 interfere with the sovereignty
I OF ireland than for Ireland to interfere
with the SOyereigntO OF England. This
bin respects and maintains these rights
| OF sovereignty equally throughout the
entire range OF the three kingdoms.
I Then the bill constitutes the Irish Leg
/ islature. Power is granted to the Irish
/ Legislature which consists first Of
all of q legislative council, secondly of
q legislative assembly, empowered 10
make laws for the police, order and good
government OF Ireland in respect 10
matters exclusively relating 10 Ireland
or 10 q part thereof. That power is
subject 20 a double Limitation. First OF
an it is subject 10 necessary aud ObviOns
limitations, imposing certain incapaci-
ties on the Irish Parliament, including
all that relates 20 the crown, a regency,
or the viCerOyalty. The subjects Of
peace and war, public defence, treaties
and foreign relations. digniJies, titles,
law aud treason do not belong 10 the
Irish Legislature.
can important provision is for the ap
p0intment OF an executive committee of
the priyy council Of Ireland. We pro-
pose to make this al executive council
for the ordinary affairs of the cabinet OF
the yiceroy. The question arises: Shall
there be any legislative council?. All
decided that there ought TO be such
council. Il has appeared to US TO be
highly incOnyenient TO alter the num-
beI OF the legislative assembly. We
therefore leave the number al 1O3, and
we ix the term at FIVE years. We leave
the constituency as it is now"
Next as 90 the legislative council,
Mr.. Gladstone said, he did not think
they would have been warranted with
OUT some strong necessity in establish
ing the system OF q slugle chamber;
"but IN Ireland be added, far from
finding any such necessity, we look
70 the legislative council as enabling US
20 meet the expectation that We shall
give % the minority some means Of freer
aud fuller consideration of its views.
We propose elective council believing
I il 20 be the only form wherein we can
give any great force 10 the vitality Of
the institution. Well, then, how do we
diderentiate this coVncil from that pop
ular assembly? We propose 10 fix the
number at IS with an eight years term
OF Office. the term Of the popular assem-
bly, being lesser.
IRE 6garding the legislative assembly
I che. r0Q rrav,,h hars r,uek na alaetad for