New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-24

SARAH BERNHARDT'S LAT
EST LONDON SUCCESS.
rBY CABLE TO THE rnrBrEl
(copyrirht 1884,: BY The Tribune Aaocator)
London. June 2s-The Leeds Conference was a
unabashed attempt to apply machine politics 70
the solution Of a great constitutional problem II
was summoned ostensibly In response TO Loro
Rosebery's suggestion that without inspiration
from the people and great popular packing tne
Ministry were impotent TO deal with the House
Of Lords We now see therefore In what In
spiration from the people consists. and what
Messrs. schnadhorst and Spence Watson consider
a popular backing. The caucus. the boss the
wirepuller they are the people.
II ts thought sufficient to set in motion the
wheels and pulleys Of that great engine OF polit-
cal rosninula ton known as the National Liberal
Federation. Orders go forth from London to the
local managers and from the local managers 70
the local workers Local caucuses are heid local
delegates are elected from a list supplied py the
local managers and approved by the head centres
at London They are politicians TO man; party
politicians chosen because they are party poll
ticians and can be trusted TO do precisely "hat
the PARTY stage managers wish done. They are
Ia beled and catalogued and ticketed; Trey assem-
bic at Leeds; they are the Conference they enc"
their tickets in order 10 get in; ihey ma pio
gramme ready for them, resolutions prepared Ia
Parliament-st, where the whole business mas
been settled in advance by Mr.. Scanadhorst ana
half dozen others.
The Conference is a spectacle FOR the puonc
There is a debate, show OF opposition' NIL
nor1ty OF 200 out OF 1000 delegates. then the CUT
and dried resolutions are adopted This is the
voice of the people OF England; this is The ropu-
lar backing; this is the spontaneous expression CT
an irresistible popular indignation against ne
reditarv chamber this is what Lord Rosebery Is
expected 70 accept as a mandate from the con-
stituencies: this is the tempest before which cne
branch Of the Legislature Of the country Is TO go
down; this is the revolution. Thus and not other
wise does the English democracy come f"rth IN
IT'S might in defence Of imperilled liberties end OK
us right az a democracy 10 exist and 10 govern
This is government by the people. for the people.
Mr. Schnadhorst Is the modern Hampien' Mr..
Spence Watson the Cromwell OF the nineteenth
century: Mr. Labouchere the seven 5sEeps IN
one These gentlemen are entering upon What
tbev proclaim TO be. and what if 1t were serious
undoubtedly would be- the gravest agl'a'ion OF
the century. perhaps the most formidable expert
ment in English politics since the reVoiuuoh On
1853 There Is not among them all one single
who iS nOnCrdDfy hHOWh III PNDh~ "NN' ''~-
one who is known In any way, unless 1t be M.
Labouchere. II you are 70 have great move
ment YOU must have one Of two things: either
leaders or the multitude. Here you have neither'
no minister. no tribune Of the people. no man
who represents anything or has anybody at his
hack. NOT even one serious politician, nothing
but wirepullers and dummies anu ho' one s'e"'
popular demonstration.
no IaeiS Conference DrOpOSeI
II dare not propose to abolish the House Of Lords.
That would bring It face % face with the ques'
ton. What do you propose in place Of IT? Or DC
Won propose anything? Do you mean 10 abolish
the Second Chamber and leave the House OF Com
mons supreme? Are you prepared for single
chamber? Such declaration would have brought
the Leeds Conference into open collision with the
Prime Minister. who has repeatedly and public
lv and recently proclaimed himself a strong
second Chamber man. That was not tnought
prudent and 50 Mr.. Labcuchere, VINO Favored
this scheme as likely to cause more mischief and
provide him with more amusement than the
other suppressed
The Leeds people proceed by side wind Tney
invent a grievance which they call a veto. ana
propose to abolish that. The ancient constitution
~ these realms Is 10 be overturned by a Juggling
trick A single chamber is TO be established un-
der false pretences. The Lords are TO continue to
.xis but not 10 legislate II they reject or amend
q bill the House Of Commons may instantly re.
affirm II by resolution: and then subject 10 the
roval assent. now meaningless and lifeless for-
mality. the bill shall become a law.
The authors Of this device avow their intention
cvnically enough. They mean 10 make the House
Of Lords ,mpotent and contemplate. and they
would. II they could. carry their scheme. They
call upon the Government to introduce Dill In
this sense as soon as practicable during the pres
ent Parliament. They do not suppose 1t could Do
arr,ed through the House OF Lords. but upon its
rejection Parliament is to De dissolved and the
country asked to send a majority to the HOUSE
Of Commons before which the Lords snail quau.
and so vote for their own extinction.
These are the politics Of comic opera. II Is
impossible to say they may not succeed Ths
English democracy is very much in the hands Of
the English demagogue. There is no evidence
that Il knows or cares much about the House OF
Lords 1t seems Indifferent enough. 1t Is not
g,tated. holds no meetings gives no sign Of deep
Interest; but neither does It seem to be disguised
nv the egerdemain Of Leeds, or by the buffoon-
,ries of the discussion This is but one issue. and
the party leaders mean the next general election
To be conducted on half dozen more ssuess
and IT, out of this confusion. they car snatch
ma tor1ty. they will insist that they have the
sanction OF the nation FOR each one OF the vast
changes they intend Such is the game. such the
calculation.
The Lords. meantime II they were wise. would
;et about reforming themselves from within. The
a,isest OF them know we'll that the hereditary
principle is indefensble; the sagacious among
hem know that It cannot in the long run be
maintained But they know also. that In recent
conflicts between themselves and the House OF
,ommons they have England on their side They
ire over confident. Lord Salisbury Is on thh
question medieval and not modern He and his
Colleagues are keenly aware OF what is ridicu-
Gus and pitifu In this agitation. and they seem
ltposed to let 1t run its course and take their
.s.-oo. r, 4, No, n nrudent policy and IL has to