Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-21
ANTI-LORDS MEETING
Resolutions Adopted by the Liberals
at Leeds.
LABOUCHERE'S RADICALISM.
II Il Rejected by the Conference rs Too
Extreme-Bitter Speech by Sir
Wilfred Lawson.

LONDON. June 20-The anti-Lords' con-
ference. which was organized by the
National Liberal Federation. was formally
opened in Albert Hall. Leeds, to-day In
the presence OF 1900 delegates and audi
tors. The conference was called 10 oruer
by Spence Watson. who, in his opening
speech, declared that the attitude OF the
House OF Lords was unbearable. lie
counselled the conference. therefore, to
take up the question and fight 1t to the
end. The conference. he said, in view OF
the great importance OF its work, ought
to be clear. practical, and united In It's
resolutions. He warned the delegates
against dangerous schemes which would
be likely to impair their unity. Mr.. Wat
son insisted that the ultimate sovereignty
of the empire must rest on the people
He then moved the first resolution. as fol-
lows:
Il. That the power now exercised by the
House of Lords ~ mutilate anu reject
measures passed by the representatives,
OF the people I'm the House OF Commons
has been systematically used 10 deiedt
reforms Is inconsistent with the risht Oh
free, popular. self-gOvernrnent, ana shoulu
cease to exist.
several prominent Liberals supported
Mr. Watson's remarks. and were invited
10y him 10 make independent speeches.
Secretary Hartford, of the Railway Ser
wants Society, seconded the resolution
and denounced the House Of Lords for its
treatment Of labor questions. other
speeches were made in the same strain.
one delegate. in loud voice, interrupted
the chairman as he was about to put the
resolution to a vote. and cried out; WI nat
about the Lords gambling and racing?
No mention is made of these In the reso-
luton"
This question was received with cheers
and laughter The resolution was then
adopted. The second resolution was then
moved:
- That the meeting call upon the gov
eminent TO introduce a measure for the
abolition Of the Lords veto power by
providing that whenever a bill passed by
the Commons shall be altered or reject
ei by the Lords, the same bill may be re-
affirmed by the Commons with or with
out such alteration. be subject thereafter
only To- the Royal assent, and thereupon
become law"
Mr.. LabOuchere moved n substitute de-
claring that the Lords ought To be abol-
demanding that the government introduce
a bill for the abolition Of the House or
Lords I'm his speech supporting his sub
stitute Labouchere declared that so long
as hereditary legislators existed self
government was n farce.
Mr. Iabouchere's amendment was Sc
conled by Sir Wilfred Lawson. Mr.. Law
son declared that the House OF Lords
was a medieval monstrosity. composed
Of hereditary miscreants who ought to
| be deprived Of their power to do evil. and
continued his denunciatory remarks at
some length.
Mr.. Labouchere's amendment or SUBJ
stitute was rejected by n large majority.
The original resolution was carried, as
| was also a third resolution, which de-
clares that the meeting assures the gov
eminent of the resolute support Of the
party I'm any steps that may be deemed
necessary to enforce the passage OF this
| great constitutional reform
Among the prominent persons on the
platform were Chairman Watson, James
| Henry Dalziel. NJ r.; Sir Wifrei Law
| son. NJ. r.: Michael Davtt, and Henry
| LabOuchere