The record-union., 1894-03-02
Gladstone Makes His Last Speech,
Probably, in the Commons.
HE VIGOROUSLY ATTACKS THE
HOUSE OF LORDS
The Elections in Brazil Pass Off
Quietly-Almost Certain That Pru-
dente de Moraes, the Regular Re-
publican Candidate Was Elected.
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

speaker put Iue QUESTION IudI tue IOuS0
OF Lords amendment to the local gov
eminent bill be considered.
Gladstone arose and addressed the
House in a full, resonant voice, barring
slight huskiness, but with marvellous
energy and vigOr. He said the Govern
ment felt that the operation of sending
and resembling the bill from one house to
the other had continued long enough.
Loud cheering TO continue the pro-
cess would be a loss of dignity to both
houses, and the Government had decided
to stop the operation and take decided
course.
''The Government had the choice of re-
jecting the House of Lords amendments
and abandoning the hope of passing the
bill or accepting them under protest
with the hope OF soon reversing them.
The Government adopted the latter
cOurse.' Cheers.
Gladstone continued: I'VE have now
reached an acute stage. 1t appears the
Lords desire To annihilate the whole
work OF the House of Commons. In re-
gard to the present blu, the Government
desires to save something from the
wreck, therefore it has accepted the
amendments, but with the declaration
that the differences between the two
houses are not temporary or casual. This
state OF things, l am compelled to say.
cannot continue. Prolonged cheers.
The issues raised between the assem-
bly, elected by the people and the assem-
bly, occupied by many men of virtue and
talents are of considerable variety. Once
raised, they must go to the issue.
[Cheers. No doubt there is higher au-
thority than the House OF Commons,
namely, the authority OF nations [cheersl,
which must in the last resort decide. Re-
newed cheers and opposition cries of ''At
once."] When that judgment is to be in
vited is a question which the Govern
ment alone can decide"
Gladstone closed by asking the House
to accept the LORDS amendments.
Hon. \. j. BaltOur, Conservative
leader, arose amid cheers to reply. lie
said GIadstone's speech was declaration
against the most ancient constitution of
the realm. He asked why the Govern
ment did not start the agitation against
the House of Lords when the latter re-
jected the home rule bill? That bill con-
vinced the country that legislation must
be controlled by the chamber which
would not betray them. AT the con-
clusiOn of BalfOur's speech the amend
ments were agreed tO-Z73 tc -37-and the
House adjourned.
There was a state of feverish excite
ment throughout the debate and the strain
was apparent in the faces of Gladstone
and the other members OF the Ministry
While Gladstone was talking, it was
whispered on all sides the great Liberal
leader was making his last speech to the
Commons. His delayed attack on the
Lords delighted the Radicals and the
Irish.
During the session Chancellor Harcourt
announced the Government had no in
formation which would lead it to believe
any Government desired the reassem-
bling of the Monetary Conference. The
British Government did not intend to
make such a proposal.
The speech OF Gladstone is variously
interpreted. 1t some quarters it is sup
posed to herald a speedy dissolution. In
others it is thought it discounts the idea
that he will favor the choice of a peer as
his successor.
The Queen will hold a council of min
listers at Windsor Castle Saturday. The
business to be discussed will be con-
nected with the sprorogation of Parlia-
ment.
The Times says the close of his great
career cannot be contemplated save with
sadness and regret. Friends and oppo-
nents are united in this crisis by COM
mon sentiment of respectful sympathy
that overleapS all differences and antago-
nisms. There is something disappoint-
ing and unworthy of the occasion in his
speech, dealing as it did throughout with
meager and bitter venalities and current
partisanship. He leaves his post without
offering a programme or formulating a
policy or enunciating principle. Con-
tinuing, the Times says: "We have rea-
son to believe Gladstone has made his
last speech in Parliament as Premier,
and he has determined to resign before
the new session of the year."
The DalIy NeaDS announces that al
though Gladstone has not resigned. and
are premature, 1--WE fear, owing to personal
reasons which have been often described,
that the event cannot much longer be
postponed" Commenting on the fore
oOino the DdiIu NeIUS says: 1.-The splen-
dor of yesterdays speech, and vigor with
which it was delivered, make it diff
cult to realize that the nation is
about to lose the value OF his in
comparable services. The unimpaired
strength of his physical frame and
the heundiminished richness of his magnif-
cent intellect are cOunterbalanced by the
cruel malady which has afflicted his eyes,
There is no reason why he should not
witness before his final departure the tri-
umph of principle on which he lavished
his matchless powers. On the day of
that victory it must. it will be, Glad
stones victory"
The NeWs in discussing the question of
a successor to Gladstone, again argues
that accident Of birth ought not to debar
Lord RoseberY OF the Premiership
Regarding the Lords, the Neaos says:
Gladstone struck a note that will ring
through the land. The final decision is
not to be given yet. There is no inten-
ton to dissolve Parliament this year.
The Lords have not yet filled the meas
ures of their mischief.
The Chronicle says: ''The old warrior
the House marked an epoch in
English history, and men will for
years count themselves happy that
they took even an inconspicuous part
in it. His departure seems for moment
to leave the world bare. How we shall
miss him, MS courage and faultless bear
ing, the subtle blending of the old world
and the new"
GLADsToNE'S INFIRMITIEs.
LONDON, March l. = This afternoon
Gladstone sPrivateSecretary informed the
Associated Press that the resignation of
the Premier cannot long be delayed: that
at the audience with the Queen yesterday
he referred to his increasing difficulties
owing to his falling sight, deafness and
age and told her majesty that he could
not long continue to bear the response
bilties of the Premiership.
RosEBERY To SUCCEED GLADSTONE.
LONDON, March 1.-The Pail MoU Ga
that Gladstone Will have an audience with
the Queen on Saturday and then officially
tender his resignation. 1t is added that
Lord ROSebery will be summoned In