New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-23

Justice What was called constitutional crisis
was futile effort of the Senate 10 disregard UNI
form precedentS in the practice OF the fTe"c''
LEGISLATURE NJ bourgeois is doing much TO re-
store the prestige Of the Premiership by MS
strength and consistency OF purpose. he Is al
ready so powerful that his opponents are aIaii"eu
by the prospect of his directing general electoral
campaign. Hence it is not improbable tha' 'hcS
will endeavor to upset the Ministry prematurey
on the income tax proposals
Mr. Dillons succession to the irish leaueisn'p
,ras ,scessarv after Mr. Sections withdrawal, but
II dspeled all hope of the reunion OF the lac-
tions. at least in the immediate future
The debates in Parliament have dragged the
eessons not being well attended. and the iii'ei1s'
rarz,,g Mr. Ralfour has aroused opposition on
his own side by his so-caled guillothe Iuie' ou.
he will carry his point by large majority next
week: not however. without a struggle anu q
nrotracted debate Every new Government Is
forced 70 tackle the procedure OF the Commons
and cverv process, of revision Is invariapy oe-
scribed by the Opposition as a reVoIu'onaiH
form OF gag-law The reforms now proposeo az
harmless enough. Mr.. Balfour simply SUCCESS
setting limit in advance TO the oiscu'''" Va
estimates instead of voting millions Dy VioS"ie -
= .ou hours at the end OF a debate Sir Charles
Dike makes a more practical proposal wheh ne
favors the reference Of the Budget 10 S'd"u'"S
committee competent to discuss H.
Two porous plasters have alreaoF oesn pio-
posed for the relief OF agriculture, which Is suei
ing from paralysis caused by free trade y p,o-
tective duty wheat would restore iie ~ 'N
stricken Industries but the Ministers are not pie
nared 70 advise heroic treatment. One Minister
brings in q Diseases to Animals BILL Win '"e
pIaintive remark that 1t will hardly restore pros
neritv 10 farming industries another Mlh'ster'
Mr. piohie introduces a Light Railways Dill
with the meek protest that It is not panacea loi
tho ills from which agriculture Is suffering MI
Pitchjes bill is designed to facilitate the ouidhs
n, either narrow-gauge railways, similar 10 'hose
In France or steam tramways, ike those III D''
GUM. for the transportation of farm prouuct
The scheme Is excellent. although 1t needs 10
be supplemented by cooperative larihihe SUI
ties. 1t is not enough that farmers shouiu NAVE
low freight charges; they need 10 commune " "
o,ra moro direct communication with the retail
ers and avoid the profits OF middlemeh. Inc ne"
measure alots s.. 5000 to assist local couiicis al
buldng such railways. either by loan OF u! VI
VOC, subsiav This is new feature which MI
Bryces bill lacked 1t embodes the principe "a
state Socialism. and is a new proof that Con-
seryative Government can be radlcal IN piac'oe'
These RAILWAYS can be owned and operated by
A., ,r,,o,n,e that agriculture is depressed ana re-
ou,res helm from the imperial Treasury; pu'' OF
coursa II would never do to impose duties on
wheat.
Tho 1ondon County Council has taken alarm
from the Government proposals 10 deai wiz" nv
water ouestion. The two factions which have
been blocking action in the municipai pa'iia''ie"'
have come together, and may agree upon some
Oft he
Of eight water companies; otherwise they may nc
n,enaced by n Government bill for the creation OIL
somethins like a water trust, or, more pr0oao'!
still, nv the establishment Of a new board lor t'e
regulation and control OF the water companies
Neither the Progressives nor the Mouera'eS "'0
anxious to have the powers ana iuhc'io"s .. ''
County Council restricted by the transfer vi Inv
control Of the water question TO ne" "u''''''
tratiye board or commission; hence sOi''e N0'.'
promise scheme Of purchase on the lines al e"N'
nroposed by the Progressive party may De auop.
ed The action of the County Couhcn 'iis "'e'>
indicates that the two factions may co'he ~ al
agreement on this question. Any price pald 10
the water companies will be condemned py the
general public as high. If not extortionate' II Is
a dangerous subject for either the County Coun-
Gil or Parliament TO deal with London IS VIZ
finally the only great city OF the United Kingdom
py. In this, as in other respects. 1t is far behind
other English and Scotch cities. where the new
progressive municipal spirit is embodied In their
administration.
The American Society," which regulates all fes-
tiyites on patriotic holidays. provides recep-
,ion at the Grafton Galleries this evening in honor
Of Washingtons Birthday. Ambassador Ba!ard
and the officials and attaches Of the En-
bassvand Consulate-Genera will be present, with
q large representation of Americans in London.
The American Society. of which Mr. X. g. Cham-
berlin Is secretary and chief worker does excel
lent service in securing dignfed commemoration
Of the National festivals.
The Comedy Theatre changes its programme to-
night. Gossip" being played for the first time
With Mrs Iangtrv and good cast. The English
version OF Coppees romantic drama. For the
Crown" will be produced at the Lyceum Theatre
next week 1t will be Mr.. Forbes Robertson 8
third venture this season. Mr.. BeerbOhm Tree Is
perfecting arrangements for building a new the
atre in the Haymarket on one or the hnest SITES
in London. 1t will be open on four sides
The opening Of Lent is marked by sacred con-
certs Of a high order Of excellence. The best one
was Gounod's Redemption" in Albert Hall, by
the Royal Choral Society. under the leadership OF
Sir Alexander Mackenzie. The choir or l.oOo
voices sang with splendid volume ana exquisite
deNcacy Of shading. and delighted an immense
audience The best work Of the six sooists was
done by Miss Esther Palliser and Mr. David
Bispham The "Reproaches" were admirably
sung and most impressive effect was produced
by Unfold Ye Portals Everlasting" As a mark
OF respect for the former leader Of the choir, Sir
Joseph Barnby, the "In Memoriam overture by
Sir Arthur Sullivan W. played by the band,
while the singers. many of them deeply affected,
remained standing with the entire audience.
Mendelssohn's Hymn Of Praise and Rossinis
"Stabat Mater were also well performed by the
Queens Hall Choral Society, under the direction
Of Mr. Randegger