The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-15
THE LORDS SCORED
Britain's Upper House Of Parlia-
ment Denounced by Liberals.
Bitter Speech by Sir William HarcOurt
That Was Applauded TO the Echo
The Paris ROmb-ThrOwer.

PORTSMOUTH. Feb. 1.-THE National
Liberal Federation continued it's meeting
to-day with large attendance, which in
clu6ed a number OF members of Parlia-
ment. At this mornings meeting the dele
gates passed resolution advocating reform
legislation, and included the one man one
vote proposition, the holding Of all elections
on the same day, the payment Of members
of Parliament and the abolition OF all rat
ing qualifications.
Mr. Robson, Q. c., moved resolution to
the effect that the habitual disregard Of the
no tional will manifested by the House of
Lords was an intolerable abuse, and assur-
ing the ministry of the enthusiastic support
OF the Liberals for whatever measures were
adopted TO secure the Commons paramount
authority.
NJ. Morton, NJ. p. in support OF the reso-
luton, asked what use there was in the
House of Commons while the House of
Lords was allowed 10 exist. The Speaker
then described the House of Lords as
fraudulent company. He said that the
peers used their political power for their
own pecuniary interest, and expressed the
opinion that it was the duty of the people
to end this fraudulent proceeding. What
the people wanted, continued Mr.. Morton,
struction of their great enemy. The reso-
luton was finally adopted unanimously, as
were other resolutions ernbodying the New
castle programme
At an enormous meeting in the Drill Hall
tonight Sir William Harcourt, Chancellor
of the Exchequer, ridiculed Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain's idea of a national party that
would sink all minor differences and had in
view only the common interest of the coun-
try. He said that such party would end,
as all such parties previously formed have
Tod in for hEAV1 n In -f
Der. II had been the dream of Bolingbroke
and of many inferior persons stree Pass
House of Lords. Sir William declared, with
much emphasis. that the bishops have been
the most militant. the most aggressive an
tagonists OF popular rights. Tumultuous
cheers gave evidence of sympathy with this
declaration, and, amid repeated cheers, Sir
William said that the government would
by the vice president of the committee of
counsel. Lord Salisbury had thrown down
the gage of battle and they would not shrink
from the fight The audience here rose in a
body, cheering frantlcally and waving hats
and handxerchiefs.
Sir William Harcourt went on: I'VE have
TO face probably the rashest and most
reckless leader that ever headed the Tory
party. SO extreme have been his councils
that even his followers have Shrunk from
his violence. We know what we have to
deal with Misery acquaints man with
strange bedfellows. Qaughter2 They will
shelter. we understand, under Mr.. Chamber
lajn'S gaberdine Birds of a feather flock
together Mr.. Chamberlain dares us TO
dissolve. We do not take the doctrine of
the constitution from politician who be-
spatterS the Lords with vituperation one
day and beslaves them with his adulation
another day"
Sir William Harcourt here quoted a speech
made by Lord Harrington, a decade ago.
ridculing the claim of the House of Lords
to compel a dissolution because the House
Of Commons had refused 10 accept their
amendments. If the Duke of Devonshire
(who then Lord Harrington had for
gotten his speech, Englishmen would not
forget it, The work in the House of Lords
during the last fortnight had marvelousy
opened the eyes of the public. Give them
rope enough" the speaker exclaimed; 'let
us have few more such fortnights. Let
it be burnt in the mind of the country that
the Lords have become champions of all
abuses and enemies of all reforms. To Judge
| from the tone of Salisbury's amendments
| it might be supposed that we were living
six centuries back, and listening to the
words OF Front de Boeff addressed to some
| Saxon churl. Let us hand mp bill after bill
for them to maui and mangle. When the
| cup is full and the time is ripe. the verdict
of the people will determine once for all
whether what Lord Russell calls the whis-
| per of fashion IS 10 prevail over the will Of
| the people" Loud and prolonged cheers
were given to Sir William when he finished