The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1895-06-29
THE BRITISH CRISIS.

There can be no doubt that the Sal
isbury ministry will not be able to
maintain control of the government,
and that soon there will be a dissolu-
tion of parliament and new election
ordered. For time at least the Lib
eral party has suffered defeat; but it is
not at all likely that the Conservatives
will be more successful, for the house
| of commons is unquestionably in
favor of the reform policy that have
been inaugurated for number of
years past in the politics of the British
nation. 1t may be true that the Lib
| erals have made mistakes in some
measures they have introduced; but
public sentiment is in their favor, and
the victory of their opponents will be
temporary. The advancement of
Great Britain in the last half century
has been due to Liberal policy, and
there will be no retrogression. On
the Irish home rule bill the lords were
the obstacle that could not be sur
mounted; but the next success of the
Liberals will be the death knell of the
house of peers. Its power must be
curtailed, as it is a constant menace to
the progress of British democracy.
There can be little improvement in the
empire, if every act passed is liable to
be nullified by this body of legislators
who do not represent the people, and
only the aristocratic element of gov
ernment. The throne amounts to
nothing. There has not been any
power exercised by it for long years,
and it simply exists as venerable
monument of antiquity. When Vic
toria surrenders the crown and her
place is filled by Albert of Wales he
will have little to do with legislation.
He is very liberal in his views, and it
is presumed will wear his honors more
like president than king. Royalty
can never regain its former position
and prerogatiyes in England. 1t will
exist, perhaps, for ages; but simply as
figure-head, and not as an influence
upon legislation.
In accepting the premiership, under |
the present circumstances, Salisbury
has displayed considerable courage,
and it will be interesting to see how
he will manage the task assigned him.
He will not have majority on any
measure he may propose, and very
likely the first step of the new govern
ment will cause a dissolution of parlia-
ment. Then an election will be or.
dered, and British sentiment will have
an opportunity to express itself at the
ballot box. 1t is very probable that
the Liberals will be returned, and the
same policy pursued that have been
under Gladstone and Roseberry.
Home rule should be granted to Ire
land and to other parts of the empire,
This is in the line of advancement,
and will eventually be accomplished.
OF course the defeat of Roseburry has
caused delay in carrying out the pro.
gramme; but this will again be pushed
forward, and perhaps more vigorously
and on more substantial lines than
before. The history of the Liberal
party is not yet complete. 1t repre-.
sents the advanced sentiment of the
British people, and will be again
trusted with the reins of government.
There are reforms which should be
made, and the democracy of the em-
pire will watch every opportunity to
zee that they are inaugura.ed. The
late cricis may have been unfortunate =