New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-26


Admiral Meades punishment passes without
other notice than the conventional praise Of
President Clevelands innexibe frmness from
several journals. The Importance OF the income
tax decision was recognized by the London press
In explanatory articles singularly free from the
errors into which English writer's usually fall
when discussing American constitutional ques-
tions. The abandonment Of income taxation In
the United States is regarded here as an exam
pie OF what happens under written or scientific
constitutions The moral follows that English
men ought to be satisfied with their own un-
scientific policy, since incomes can be taxed here
without a revolution. This moral would be more
practical If Lord Salisbury and his colleagues
were not constantly warning them OF all the
revolutionary excesses Of which the Liberal Gov
ernment are capable without the embarrassments
Of Constitution.
What interests Englishmen more than these
constitutional anomalies is the state OF American
trade. Sir William Harcourt has told the bank
ers and merchants at the Mansion House that
there Is a great Improvement and Increase IN
English trade with America. This Is undoubted-
ly true, and 1t encourages English merchants
in every line Of business to hope for the return
of good times Sir william Harcourt in the
same speech, which was optimistic from begin
ming to end. revealed how barren was the victory
~ the German b.metallists in carrying through
the Prussan Diet resolution requesting the
C,ovarnment to take Immediate and energetic
steps calculated to lead the International re8-
lation of the currency. The resolution was
passed with the votes of the dscontented Centre.
but not without a proviso that international o''
metalllsm was TO be secured through the par
ticpaton Of England. This demonstration Ia
favor OF bimetallism was followed by an en-
phatic declaration from the Cnancehor Oh '"s
Exchequer in London that Her MaJestys MINI
listers were not willing to compromise the Pr'n'
ciple OF a gold standard, whatever nouohs might
be entertained in other parts OF the "oro. ~
WAS a bucket of cold water for bmetaliists, nuns
BY a strong hand.
Public interest in party politics Is lansuid anu
apathetic There is an unwritten law that what'
ever may be the necessities OF the Ministers or tns
temptations Of the Opposition. there must be no
interference with the London season. general
election would break up season that Is unusuAhS
brilliant and prosperous. The political leaders
are unwilling to assume the responsibility for
dissolution of Parliament. The Ministers are too
wary to ride for fall before critical ana resent
full public. The Unionists are in no haste to onns
ahou, nrematurely the overthrow Of a Govern
ment which lacks both prestige and votes Tor en'
acting reform measures. Every one Is comment
that the elections will be deferred at least untu
the shopkeepers have reaped their annual mar
vest and the season has ended. Only an uniore'
seen accident can precipitate a political criHs'
That this might happen seemed possible early IN
the week when the Governments majority feh 70
nine. and even five with four Cnionist seats va
cant in the House 1t seemed probable, rathes
than nossible. when Dr. MacGregor. weary OF Sir
William Harcourt's parliamentary fnesse. shook
the dust OF Parliament from his feet and enter
taihed the House with bit Of melodrama border
ing on burlesque. Then came an interval OF SHY
unfounded rumors OF Lord Roseberys impsnains
resignation from sheer despair.
The bubble pricked when the Prime Minis
ter returned to town in greatly improved health
and when the Government majorities were 70
stored to double figures. The Liberal WHIPS mao
shown more energy. but the Unionis,s were disln'
clned to press their advantage, since tney had
much to gain by keeping a discred;ted Govern
ment in Office and holding IL up to public con-
tempt.
On Thursday came Sir William Harcourts
promised explanation of the order Of business.
and the arrangements for the Whitsunday re-
cess. He had not followed the contradictory ad'
vice showered upon him from all quarters put
had consulted his colleagues and decided upon
a plain straightforward course respecting the
Welsh Disestablishment bill. and the hnanciai
votes He displayed marked dexterity In decnn-
ing to send the Crofters bill to Grand Commit
tee and in giving strong pledge 20 push 'ns
measure through the House. DR. MacGregors
colleagues looked sulleh and resentful, but they
did not openly rebel. The Governments position
Is better at the end OF the week than II was Al
the beginning. in spite OF the Unionist victory
q, Warwick and bennington. where Mr.. Alfred
Lyttleton the veteran cricketer, has bowled out
his Liberal opponent
Sir William Harcourt is showing himself TO Do
n worthy successor OF the Old Parliamentary
Hand He succeeds in extricatng his party from
It's embarra ssments by sheer skill as tactician
and has very little help from his associates
His leadership is fine bit OF parliamentary
work. but the Liberal party Is practically With
out definite policy or plan OF operations. II
has a score of measures on paper. which are not
out OF committee and are blocking one another.
1t has not the majority requisite for enforcing
closure and It's promises are fiat currency. virtu-
ally irredeemable. Two votes have been gained
by the Opposition this week as the result Of the
change of the Speakership, and Dr. MacGregors
abandoned seat may be captured speedily The
margin IL already narrow that the Govern
ment is not safe against accidents any week;
vet there are experienced Liberal politicians VINO
do not hesitate to say that the odds are In favor
~ a general election in February, rather than In
September.
The best speech Of the week has been LORD
sasbury's at Bradford, in spite Of its economic
pessimism The main pivot upon which the
argument turned was the plain proposition that
the House of Lords is body which exists for
the purpose OF preventing the Commons from
committing mischief behind the backs OF the
people. Lord Salisbury's destructive criticism
was hardly needed to prove that the hereditary
House vii! be strengthened If it be allowed to
throw out a series OF measures passed by small
. ma iorities in the Commons, when the country 10
shown by by-electons to be out OF sympathy