The morning call., 1893-02-18
A SNOBBISH TAUNT.

What can be meaner or more contemplate
than the snoBb!sh taunt leveled against
Irish members of the House of Commons at
Westm lister by an English member that
they are poor and have to be supported by
contributions while performing their legiS-
lative duties? The man who uttered such
a taunt in America would not be heard of
again in politics When the Irish members
were returned under a restricted franchise
they were wealthy, but they represented
the English rather than the Irish side of
their country. To certain extent this con-
tinued under Mr.. Butt, the Irish leader.
who formulated home rule, and under Mr.
Shaw. his successor. Bat Mr.. PANEL soon
Ousted the latter as leader and rallied
around him men Of brains. who almost took
pride in their poverty. To sustain them an
Irish Parliamentary fund was formed, the
subscriptions coming in great part from
America. Australia and South Africa. A
part of this fund still exists in the hands Of
Paris bankers. The allowance made to
members requiring assistance was not ex
travagant-only S35 week-5ut even this
represented a considerable drain when Mr..
ParneIl had eighty-six followers, after the
extension of the Irish franchise in 1886.
Members OF the House of Commons are
unpaid. They have no salary unless they
hold Office ia the Government This
anomaly is not to last much longer. 1t is
believed that in the next budget Sir William
Harcourt, Chancellor Of the ExcheQuer. viii
propose payment of all members, not leav-
ing acceptance optional, but making ii COM
pulsory. This means that many able men
who ara too poor to enter Parliament at
d. dol In
serving their country. About twenty labor
members now represent constituencies, sup
ported by contributions OF salaries voted by
associations. They are all men Of mark, TO
whom Parliament listens with respect, and
one of them IS in Mr.. Gladstone's Govern
ment. 4 taunt of the kind leyeled at the
Irish members equally applies 10 them. but
no English member dare make lt.
The attack on the Irish members origi-
mated with Lord Wolmer, an embryo scatter
brain politician, who is neither Of note IN
side mr. outside the House. As IS lis won't,
the attack was taken ND by the London
Times. which is always athirSt for Celtic
scrimmage on the wrong side. Wolmer has
apoogzed in the House, and in a crawling
fashion. still showing maley0lence. The
Blunderer has made a show of retractioD.
But as Tar as the Irish members are con-
ceTned the sneers and innuend0es Of the
Times are harmless, Lord W0lmer should
be The last man 10 illuminate epthets about
contributions for services. Who is hep
The son of State pensioner. His father
is ROundell Palmer, lawyer. who was
made Acknowledgement by Gladstone in
1865 and then Lord Chancellor. under the
title Of Earl SelbOurne. As Lord Chan
cellor he drew the comfortable salary Of
$4,000 year, and as ex-Lord Chancellor
until lie dies he draws pension Of $751;
a year-about as much as would support a
third of tie Irish members. In short, the
Irish members occupy more independent
position. Their services are real but an eX-
Lord Chancellor is a drone who does moth
ing. The payment of members by the
Legislature VIII uDrOot this snobbish class
feeling, and when the change does come
men Ike Lord Wolmer will find it difficult
10 get into Parliament.