Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-24

CT democratic sentiment in England, the
queen would insist on retaining the su-
preme command of the army in the hands
OF member of the royal family. Her
third son, the Duke of Connaught, having
held several important military commands
and attained-no matter just how-the rank
of a full general, has been looked upon as
the intended successor of his great uncle
the Duke of Cambridge, and the fact that
he is only forty-five years of age has made
it seem only too probable that the country
was doomed to a further long period of
official incapacity and of opposition to
muc h-needed reform. That his appoint
ment would have been in accordance with
the queens most cherished desires Is I'M
deniable, and it may be regarded as equally
certain that her majesty has acceded to
the appointment even of so distinguished
and popular a soldier as Lord Wolseley
only on the strong Recommendation of a
favorite minister at the head of a cabinet
of more than ordinary moral, Intellectual
and political strength.
What Disraeli Would Have Done.
Had Lord Beacorsfeld lived to be the
head of the present ministry, he would
probably-that is, If the cabinet would
have allowed hin-have given Ireland
home rule and made sweeping modifica-
lions in the constitution of the house Of
lords. He would once more, as Lord Derby
expressed 1t in 1867 have caught the lib
erals bathing and have run away with
their clothes. We need not look for any
such outbidding of his political opponents
on the part of Lord Salisbury. but we shall
nest assuredly see more or less preten-
tious legislation, designed to remove both
Ireland and the house OF lords from the
field of political controversy. 1t Is al
ready whispered at the clubs that re-
fern Of the house of lords will be under
taken by the ministry in the shape of a
Limitation of the hereditary principle and
the adoption of a provision for the crea-
- esv,erl 10 ia
But 1t is safe to say that the bishops, al
ways the determined opponents of pro-
gress and freedom will not be excluded,
nor will the power Of the upper house to
practically block legislation be In any
wise modified. AS for Ireland, sha will
be relieved of a small portion Of her some
what disproportionate annual contribution
to the imperial excheQuer and she Will get
q system of county councils that Will be
intended to serve as a safety valve for
political fervor. She may even get some
sort of national council at Dublin. with
an exceedingly restricted range of au-
tkority. On the other hand, should there
be a redistribution of seats--that is. a re-
lament, ireland will certainly lose 20 to q
of her 1O3 representatives in the house
of commons, and no new privilege that IS
likely to be granted her will be regarded
len: for such loss. After all, then, the
Irish question will not down. until, as
Lord Rosebery expressed 1t a night or
two ago. Ireland is governed In accord
ance with Irish ideas.
Leeisla ton in the Right Direction.
Liberals who think more of the welfare
of their country than of the fortunes Of
their party will not seriously demur to this
piecemeal and lnconclusive legislation, SO
long as it is in the right direction. They
will not greatly concern themselves over
the fact that reform of the house of lords
and a correction of abuses in the stablish-
ed church, however inadequate such meas
ures may be- may Indefinitely postpone the
thorough overhauling of the one and the
putting an end to, as political institution,
of the other. They will, however resist
the establishment, as suggested by Mr..
Chamberlain. OF a general pension system
for the aged, that would virtually pauper-
lie very numerous class of people, or
would at least render them less dependent
than they should be upon their own in
dustry and thrift in early and middle life.
The party of progress will also oppose any
by the government of denomina-
tional schools to the detriment of the un-
system, and they will certainly
oppose to the very utmost any attempt at
the imposition of tariff on any of the nee
essaries Of life, even though it should have
for its ostensible object the drawing more
closely together, politically and CONNER
cially, of the different portions of the en-
pire, by the exemption from it's operation
of the British colonies and dependencies.
But that as Mr.. kipling would say, is an
other story.