The herald., 1894-03-02
EXIT THE GRAND OLD MAN.
His Last Great Speech in the
Commons.
A Declaration of War Against
the Lords.
Amendments to the Parish Councils
Bill Accepted.
Dissolution of PsrIiamsnt Threatened.
No Doubt Remains as to Glad
stones Resignation of tho
Premiership.
By the Associated Press.


LONDON, March IA full cabinet
council was held this afternoon, lasting
two hours. It considered the house Of
lords amendments to the parish coun-
ellis bill, and decided to adopt them un-
per protest.
Gladstone was loudly chsered this
afternoon as he entered the house of
commons. The speaker put the ques-
tion that the house of lords amend
ments to the local government bill be
considered. Gladstone rose and ad
dressed the house in full. resonant
voice, barring slight huskinsss, but
with marvellous energy and viRor. He
said that the government felt that the
operation OF sending and resembling the
bill from one house to the other had
continued long enough. Loud cheer
ing. To continue the process would be
the loss of dignity of both houses. and
the government had the choice OF reject
ing the house OF lords amendments,
abandoning hope of passing the bill, or
accept them under protest. with the
hope OF soon reversing them. The gov
eminent adopted the latter course.
[Cheers.
Gladstone continued: "Ws have now
reached the acute stage. 1t appears that
the lords desire to snnihilate the whole
work Of the house OF commonE in regard
to the present bill. The government de-
sires to save something from the wreck,
1t has therefore accepted the amend
ments, but with the declaration that the
differences between the houses is not
kAA> II
things, [ am compelled to cay, cannot
continue. [Cheers.l The issues raised
between the assembly elected by the
people and the assembly occupied by
many men Of virtue and talents. are OF
considerable variety. Once raised they
must go to issue. [Cheers.l No doubt
;t1'Ss- tys ~ o. --tisher authority than the
Ivy OF the natlos = Z ------s~ly the author-
the last resort decide. heueweu cn5gre
end opposition cries Of AT oncel ri
When that judgment is to be invited is
q question which the government alone
can decide"
Gladstone closed by asking the house
to accept the lords amendments.
Hon. A. j.. Balfour, conservative
leader, rose amid cheers to reply. He
eaid Gladstone's speech waa a declara.
tlon against the ancient constitution of
the realm. He asked why the govern
ment did not start agitation against the
house OF lords when the latter rejected
the home rule bill. That bill convinced
the country that legislation must be
controlled by chamber which would
not betray them.
AT the conclusion of Balfour's speech
the amendments were agreed to, 273 to
81 ,Sand the house adjourned.
There was state OF feverish excite
ment throughout the debate and the
strain was apparent in the faces of Glad
stone and other members of the minis
try. While Gladstone was talking il
was Whispered on all sides that the great
Liberal leader WAS making his last
speech to the commons. His delayed |
attack on the lords delighted the Radi-
Gals and Irish.
During the session Chancellor Har-
court announced that the government |
had no information which would lead it |
to believe any government desired the |
reassem bling of the monetary confer
ence. The British government did not |
intend to make such proposal
Later Balfour remarked that those
who believed in the ancient constitution
looked forward without dismay to the
fight which the government announced.
They firmly believed the nation was
convinced that the lords had vindicated
their claim to the confidence of the
country.
Lord Randolph Ch1rchill said the
declaration OF war was made upon tae
spur OF the moment, and was founded
upon slender basis. Gladstone's de-
OF the whole house and his
proclamation Of long and protracted ag-
fat ha T.
abolition of the lords was absurd.
There WAS no justification for holding
up the lords to the execration of the
people, and there was no more fatal
scheme for any party TO advance than
the destruction OF the lords.
Samuel Storey Sunderland, Radical.
regretted that the government accepted
the lords amendments and expressed
The hope that Gladstone was in garment
IN his declaration in regard to the lords.
rs, according to the speaker, he would
have plenty of men behind him in
the country.
The speech of Gladstone ia variously
Interpreted. In some quarters il is sup
posed TO herald speedy dissolution In
others 1T is thought it discounts the
dea that he will favor the choice of
beer as his successor. The queen will
lold council of ministers at Windsor
:astle Saturday. The business to be
discussed will be in connection with
he prorogation of parliament.
The Pail Mall Gazette announces that
is definitely settled that Gladstone is
o have an audience with the queen
'sturday, and will then officially tender
lis resignation. 1t is added that Lord
Sosebery will be summoned. In con-
lusion the Pail Mall Gazette says there
} no present intention of the dissolution
i parliament, and it has been decided
hat Gladstone will retain his seat in
be commons, but will not remain a
member of the cabinet.
deputatlon of the extreme Radicals.
eaded by Labouchere, waited today