New-York tribune., 1894-04-27

-, reform is precisely the thing which the
'..scal IA hates. If you mend it you cannot end it,
r..ra is on this point. significant passage
AZ Bryces american Commonwealth"
~ o,s from memory, but the substance is that
sus belated political philosophers in England
". complaining that the House Of Lords has too
"u.h power the real criticism is that it has not
ugh Would Mr.. Bryce wish that passage un-
I.,,,ene When he penned such words he clearly
~, ,o, expect to be a party TO an agitation for
"~.r,hrowing the Second Chamber None Of the
,n,,sters has plan. The most extreme Radi-
=, have. indeed modified their attitude. They
:. ~, now demand the abolition Of the House
Lords They only demand what they call the
,Ou,ion Of the veto. BY the word veto they
o., the constitutional right Of n coordinate
inch Of the Legislature to amend or reject
lh certain exceptions. bills passed by the other
Zach of the Legislature. The cry Down with
=. Lords has died away. 1t is almost pity
ras good mouth-fling cry: just the kind
nhrase which the stump orator likes. and
~,,rh his least educated audiences like. 1t saves
$. necessity of thinking. either side 1t
"a no doubt. one disadvantage If the orator
...,s asked what he was going TO put in the
,,.cs Of the Lords when he had once got them
,..n he would have had no answer ready. Or
.,.n Il he were asked. How do YOU propose TO
-, them down? he would have been perplexed
srcb questions might be asked in Scotland II not
In England
Pu as / was saying. now and then comes a
p.s,cal who has views Of his own. Sir James
vrson NJ F. Is such a Radical. Sir James Is.
,e,isye. mighty man in the caucus. and in the
,ocsl or perhaps central councils Of the party.
:, Craftsmanship his reputation is yet 10 make
ia has cheerful readiness TO express opinions
~ dficult subjects which makes him interest
,rs and al times entertaining. He is useful at
al times The type Of politician who thinks
aloud is apt mpart to the public a kind Of
.nowledge which the more expert manager
.ssns 10 himself. He shows the processes. The
o,bsr waits for results Sir James kitsOn sug-
costs that the question Of the House Of Lords
s6ould be dealt with In the same way in which
Nr Gladstone dealt with the abolition OF pur-
chase In the army; by Royal Warrant. The
notion Of destroying a Legislative Chamber by
an act Of the Crown may not seem very demo-
cratic notion but It Is Sir James kitson's con-
,rhut,on 10 the subject. Republicans may be eX-
cused II they do not think the situation would be
,nuch improved by such an expedent. or that
,ba cause Of free government would gain by
strengthening the authority Of the Sovereign.
He offers another suggestion almost equally
convincing and statesmanlikc. Somebody, in his
careful language is u forget 10 issue SOM
,nonses ~ the Peers 10 attend Parliament. and
then the House Of Commons Will. OF It's own
nation and by its own act, send up bills TO the
Cnown for its approval. Sir James Ntsons
mind has a vast sweep, 50 vast that legal ana
constitutional obligations seem not TO be plha-
ing on him. or not even 70 attract his a.
tention. But he + a very good example of the
Radical who would pull down without stopping 10
think how ne shall rebuild. and to whom ior an
end which he thinks righteous, all means are
...., G.. W 5.