The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-02
GLADSTONE ON The LORDS.
The Great Commoner al Last Sounds tht
Note Of Warning.
GREAT SPEECH In HOUSE OF COMMONS
The Aciion of the Peers, He Says, Has Been
"CrIevously Unsstisfsctory A
Significant Intim alton.

LONDON, Marcn 1.-Whcn Af. Glad
stone entered the House Of Commons at
800 o'clock this afternoon he was greet
ed with Il storm Of cheers which lasted
several minutes. He walked directly to
his usual seat and held whispered con-
versation with John Morley, Chief Secre-
tary OF Ireland, and Sir William Har-
court. Chancellor OF the Exchequer. who
sat on either side OF him, most OF his
conversation being addressed TO the
latter. Lord ROsebery. who is looked
upon as the coming Premier, occupied a
seat in the press gallery.
The Speaker put the question that
the amendments of the House of Lords
TO the local Government bill be consid-
cred. when Mr. Gladstone arose and
addressed the House in what was in
many respects the most remarkable
speech he has delivered for many years.
lie showed no sign of waning power. ex-
cept for an occasional slight huskiness
in his otherwise resonant voice.
Mr.. Gladstones Speech.
Mr.. Gladstone began by saying that
the Government had reached the con-
clusion that the time for passing bills
back and forth from one house 10 another
had ended, and had decided upon a def
mite course. Laughter and cheers inter-
rupted the Premier, who, when he was
able to resume, spoke as follows:
"To continue the process would be loss
Of dignity TO both houses, and the Gov
t. nr1ent has decided to stop the opera
ton and take a decided course. The
Government had the choice Of rejecting
the House Of Lords amendments ana
abandon ming hope Of passing the bill, or
of accepting them under protest with the
hope of soon reversing them. The Gov
errment adopted the second choice.
(Chters)
'The action OF the House OF Lords
regarding the bills Of this session has
raised a question Of the Cravest charac-
ter. Two Of those bils-the Home Rule
bill and the Employers Liability bill-oc-
cupied the attention Of the House OF
Commons one hundred days. They in
Nolved vast iabors. Members of the
House OF Commons have worked through
this session almost double the length OF
time o. any session on record. and with
an unequalled amount of intensity. This
labor was for the purpose Of enacting
beneficial legislation. The House OF
Lords. without giving II much considera-
tion. wrecked that legislation" (Checra)
House of Lord's Attacked.
Mr.. Gladstone said he remembered a.
book published in lS9o called "tity
Years OF House Of Lords The cone
tents Of the book left upOn the miud oft
every Liberal a painful but firm con-
victson that tho action Of the Hous' of
Lords during those fifty years had been
grievously unsatisfactory. tAeers)
After further reviewing the action o..
the Lords In tho past on various Vif1'
questions Mr.. Gladstone said:
I'VE have now come to a more acute
stage. The question now is whether Dee
Judgment OF the House OF Lords Is not
only To modify. but TO annihilate the
whole work OF the House Of Commons"
(Contiued cheerine) The Government
has not been anxious to precipitate or
unduly accefiuate a crisis. II has been
anxious rather 10 save something from
the wreck. We are. therefore, COMPEL
cd to accompany our acceptance Of the
amendments OF the House OF Lords TO
the present bill with the declaration that
the differences between the two houses
cannot continue" loud and prolonged
Cheers)
The Issue Raised.
Without using any hard words or with
out presuming TO judge motives. We feel
il our duty TO state the indisputable
fact that the issue IS raised between
deliberative assembly elected by the
votes Of seven million men and differ
ent kind Of an assembly though 1t was
occupied by some men OF virtue and
talent. That controversy once raised
must go forward TO its issue" loud
cheering)
Mr. Gladstone said he was rejoiced that
- Ar.1 In.
cases. partly owing TO discretion. circum-
spection. and reserve In the use Of the
enormous privileges which the House OF
Lords had on Various occasions shown. he
was afraid that the epoch OF that reserve.
discretion. and circumspection had ended.
Otherwise the members of the opposition
must feel that in some way or other the
solution had been found for the tremen-
dous contrarety and I'm the conflict of mat
ters of high principle and profound i'm
patience.
An Even Higher Authority.
Between the representatives Of the peo-
pie and those filling the non-elective
chamber he admitted that the House
OF Commons could not take it upon Itself
10 pass judgment on the matter of the
final judgment Of its own case. There
was a higher authority than the House
OF Commons. There was the authority
of the nation CHEERS and counter cheers),
which must In the last resort decide the
crisis at once. The Government would
regard the decision as absolutely final
The time had come. Mr.. Gladstone con-
tinued. TO invite this decision OF the
people The circumstances under which
the decision would be invited constituted
question Of the gravest character. His
own duty for the present terminated with
calling attention to the fact that In con-
sidering the amendments OF the House
of Lofds the House OF Commons deals
with an inseparable part of the question
The amending of the Parish Councils
bill viewed I'm this light had become
y, ofoundly acute issue. which would de-
mand and receive settlement at an early
date from the highest authority. II the
GcN eminent should ask the House to ac-
cant the mutiated bill the advice would
be given under "A grave serse OF respon-
sibility The Government was properly
unwilling to d. unnecessarily anything
which would stimulate the sharpness Of
the present crisis They hesitated there
fore TO consign 10 destruction the only
portion remaining from the arduous work
OF the expiring session. loud Liberal
and Radical cheers)
Balfour aud Churchill Reply.
Arthur j. Balfour. leader OF the Union
lists. was cheered by the opposition as
he rose to reply 10 Gladstone. He did not
sneak at great length. The speech just
made By the Prime Minister. he said
amounted TO a declaration OF war upon
the House Of Lords. He did not fear the
prime Ministers covert threats. IL the
would appeal to the country
the Conservatives would welcome the at
tempt 10 make public opinion OF the House
of Lords the Issue.
Lord Randolph Churchill spoke next for
the Conservatives. IL the Government