The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-25
EMBARRASSING THE PEERS.
The House Of Commons viii Pass Bills
Which They Must Reject.
GLLDST0HE'S PLANS FOR The PUTURF.
The Great Commoner is the Leader still Of
the Liberal Party, Though Rosebery
IL NominaIly at its Head.


firms the impression which has lately
obtained, that it is the intention Of the
Government to bring about a dissolution
of Parliament next autumn. The bill is a
much brfefer measure than was expected.
1t provides simply for half-yearly regis
tratiOn. with a -months-residence
qualification, and that all elections shall
take place on the same day. instead Of
spreading over several weeks, as has
hitherto been the custom. These two pro-
visions are all that are contained in the
bill. The man-One-yOte principle, upon
which the opposition relied as a pretext
for demanding the redistribution OF the
areas which form electoral areas, will
form a separate measure, in the intro
duction of which the government will not
be i'm any great hurry. The decision to IN
troduce this measure as distinct bill
has taken the opposition by surprise. The
Liberals I'm effect, aim at the destruction
Of the system of plural voting. which Will
be accomplished by the establishment OF
system Of simultaneous elections The
Unionists. Of course. will not take kind
ly to this device, which completely takes
the wind out Of their sails. but the oppo-
siton to registration cannot help them
selves. A bill drafted in the simple form
indicated will meet no obstacles in its
speedy passage by the House Of Com
mons and it is difficult 10 see how it
can be rejected by the House Of Lords.
AS a matter of fact. the Lords. incon-
sistent as they usually are, can find no
pretext for the rejection OF a measure
that affects the official status of nobody
but the members Of the lower house,
who have themselves voted TO abide by
the result of its operations. No other
leading measure will be introduced till
the registration bin is out Of the way.
The War on tho House Of Lords.
The programme Of the Government is
designed TO put the House of Lords still
further on record as opposing iecdtul
legislation and it is difficult 10 see how 1t
can fail Of its purpose. Before the minis
try resigns ana appeals 10 the country
the electors viii be given several new
illustrations OF the hostility Of the House
OF Lords TO popular legislation. The
evicted tenants bill will contain clauses
which will ensure it's rejection by the
Peers and the one-man one-vote proposal,
which as a separate measure will be in
troduced after the passage OF the regis
tratiOn bill will also be of a character
calculated 20 secure for il the condemna-
tion of the Lords. Then the Welsh
Church disestablisament bill and the
proposal TO relegate Scottish measures to
a Scottish grand committee viii follow,
and .hese too are relied on % Awaken
the ermity OF the upper House. The al
most certain rejection of these measures
viii have the effect 10 confirm the deter
mination OF the people to shatter the
legislative power Of the House of Lords.
A decisive Exposition.
A decisive exposition of the attitude
Of the majority Of the House Of Com
mons towards the House of Lords has
been arranged, and this will be put forth
very much IN the form Of a challenge
through the resolution which is soon 10
be introduced by James Henry Dalziel,
a Scottish Liberal representing the Kirk
Caldy district Dir. Dalziel, who IS a pro-
nounced Home Ruler, and holds advanced
views on political and social questions,
will unquestonably secure 10 his reSolu-
ton a strong Scotch support. The reso-
luton will be framed under the approval
OF the Government, so that, though Mr..
Daizel may be its father. II will have
the sponsorship Of the ministry. The ex-
act terms Of the motion have not yet
been decided upon. but il viii define with
precision the intentions Of the Govern
ment towards the House Of Lords and
pretty clearly outline the future statutes
Of that body as the opponents Of the
hereditary house think il should be. The
measure will be seriously discussed by
the Cabinet before It IS placed on the
notice paper Of the House preliminary
m its formal introduction. IL Is expected
that the debate on the resolution VIII
no finished so that a division can be taken
on April 18th. In anticipation Oh the
struggle over the resolution all the Par'
llamentary whips are mastering theii
forces. A full attendance is assured aho
the event will be undoubtedly the mos'
momentous Of the session.
What Gladstone VIII DO.
Mr. Gladstone's constituents do not ac-
cent the ex-Premier's letter 70 Dir. Cowan,
chairman Of the Midlothian Liberals, as
a farewell address, but merely as deii-
,,ition of the political situation as af-
racted bv his retirement from active
leadership. Everybody II satisfied that
there is not TO be a departure from the
Gladstone programme, but that Gladstone
is the leader still in the Liberal party,
though Lord Rosebery is nominally at It's
head. The operation which will necessa-
rjIy be performed upon Mr.. Gladstone
eyes will likely be delayed for three
months: and until that time the eN-
premier will rest, though il is possible
that he may make his appearance IN the
House I'm the meantime should any
imnortant occasion require H. The UNDER
standing is that If the operation Is sue
ce4sf,,l and Mr.. Gladstone Is assured
,hat n will be. he will Immediately re-
t,,rn 70 public life. and lead the eiecuon
'.aronaign as candidate tor re-
e,action from Midlothian, and atter
ntha of perfect rest what Is
,-,o~e likely? Barring the rouois
.,,,,h bis eyes and slightly defective hear
,,@ he Is physically well and strong:
Ills return to active political Work "ouiu
insure him an ovation every time ne mahc
his appearance on the stump In the popu-
Ious centres, and that together WIN MS
aloauence. would make such an ehectNe
appeal to popular sentiment as "ouiu
carry the Liberals back 10 power WIN
greatly increased maJorllies. rms 10
one of the possibilities that the Chioil,ses
dread. and one Of the proDaDlliuss pla.
the Liberals are looking lOr"a'u ~ "'''
feelings OF confidence: r,s In
The latest calculations OF experts IN ~,
crease the prospects that the budget Wih
sho,y a deficit much greater than was
e~o e"osc,sd. According to the Economist
,hi. aedcit for the financial year ending iils
.1s .'srcb Sist. Will amount to 1.po'vo
n,,nSs For the coming year the total
pS evanue is estimated at 9l.J0o.OOO pounds.
as'er arainst the estimated expenditure or
a. 10000 pounds. AS these figures are ap-
~roxImately correct. there Is certain 70
plVH,.t nretty sharp debate over the budget
s,'ha,, a q discussed IN committee.