New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-18

the EngllSn people out OF tidt "pot"o''| ''
difference to their oppression by the House OF
Lords OF which TIE Prime Minister complains.
His Radical supporters are nevertheless. still
but ill-content with him. He repeats his profess
sion OF faith in a second chamber. He uses
sound arguments against single chamber, liable
to gusts of passion and certain to legislate upon
impulse He declares himself absolutely con-
WINGED that his Radical friends are wrong. and
puts on record a solemn pledge. i, al any
rate could have no part or parcel in leaving
this country to the sole disposition OF single
chamber"
The Radicals listen aghast. This pledge cuts
the ground from under their feet. 1t goes very
far beyond the mere expression OF an acadeiH-
cal preference for a second chamber IL pihus
Lord Rosebery now and hereafter to a specific
course of conduct. 1t limits his freedom OF
action against the House of Lords. He speaks
OF course, as a responsible statesman, ana wien
he says he will never leave this country at the
mercy Of a single chamber he enters into an
engagement with the country not to abolish
the House Of Lords nor to destroy its legislative
efficiency till he is ready to put something IN
its place He is bound in honor to produce
substitute for the existing second chamber De-
fore he abolishes the existing chamber
True. he says the House Of Lords is not a
real second chamber in its present form out
that is only a rhetorical expression or MS dls-
like to a hostile majority He sketches IN
shadowy way second chamber In the future'
consultative rather than legislative yet KIM
OF high court of justice for the Empire, appa-
rently a sort Of glorifed Privy Council Win
. colonial representatives as well as nome repre-
sentatives. Lord Rosebery knows America ana
Is perhaps dreamng-it is not yet more imam
q dream-of some body with elective and
the functions Of the American Senate with some
of the functions of the Supreme Court OF '"e
United States l hope he will pursue the medi-
tations They will be interesting studies IN
organic law, whether they prove fruitful or
not
Meantime he will have his hands full to Keep
his party in order His Radical followers VINO
wish to lead and not follow. care nothing TOT
abstract politics or reasons of State. Ihey want
a single legislative machine which they can run
at full speed whenever they chance to have
majority That is their ideal. The better ana
stronger YOU make a second Chamber. the more
thew will hate ii. They rage If you mention 'he
American Senate They listen with impatient
disgust to Lord Rosebery's Enumeration OF the
states Of the world viii n are governed by two
Chambers They prefer the example OF Hohuuras
and Guatemala to France, Germany Austria
tween them and their leader there is now an
omen fragrant irreconcilable division on this
fundamental question. Whether there shall be a
second Chamber or not. they cannot abolish the
House Of Lords without him. He cannot as the
Liberal leader get a majority in the country
without them. The dilemma presents itselt as
vet but dmly to their minds. perhaps dimly TO
his, but it remains a dilemma from which there
IS no logical escape. Such is the result OF MS
Glasgow speech.
Mr. Dil,on's reply to Lori Salisbury raises, or
rather accepts a dangerous issue in dangerous
way This impulsiye irish leader assures the
English people that their destinies would be SAFER
in the hands Of the aborers OF the South ana
West of Ireland than with the House OF Lords
1t may be SO. The point IS whether the EnShsh
people would think They rejoin by asking
since when has the South and West OF Ireland
shown an interest in the welfare Of the En-
pre- or a disposition to prefer the interests OF
the Empire as a Whole to the interests OF the
South and West of Ireland?
The confusion Of Issues and Of evidence In the
London School Board election, which occurs
next week. is clearing away in part but only
in part Neither side seems to Ike to put
It's case too clearly. There is nevertheless
a distinct choice TO be made between cler-
icalism and secularism; only the choice,
though distinct. cannot be made without
mixed motives and influences. The majority of
the present board want TO strengthen the
hold Of the Church the schools ana 10
enlarge the present measure Of dogmauc
theological teaching. Therefore they Will
be resisted by liberal voters. UHhappily,
the minority is not content to rest its case on
negative It is both progressive and aggressive
&c rd Of sinister import
TIE municipal politics Of London. Mr.. Diggle.
chairman of the present board. is an able man.
with strong clerical views Mr. Riley. whose name
is heard OF late still more frequently. Is an
Anglican who talks Of the Pope as Our
Father" and has strong papistical leanings'
Both want the Trinity and the Incarnation
taught in the board schools to youths OF tender
wears II is disputed which side effec;ually dis
turbed the COMPROMISE under which the Edu-
cation act Of 1870 has long worked Neither
side seems now content with II, and the dis
content Of each is a mark OF such partisan Vio-
lcnce and Of such extremist views that plain
man may stand puzzled in the presence Of
these bitter conflicts Either side II 1t gains a
decisive victory is likely to use it without
moderation The clerical fanatics and the secu-
lar fanatics have each done their best to allen
ate their more rational supporters Such are
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