New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-05


nary board schools. where they have been re-
luctant to have their children educated; nor Is
there anything to prevent Non-Conformist pa
rents from having their catechism taught In
Roman Catholic and Church Of England schools.
which will henceforth receive a large measure
OF financial aid from the State.
This proposal. while unsettling. Is not open to
criticism on the ground Of religious bigotry. The
Liberals also expected to condemn the new
measure as a mercess assault upon the school
boards. So 1t is; the authority Of the school
boards will be greatly impaired by the proposed
measure. and the functions Of the Education
Department at Whitehall Will be paralyzed; 1t Is
nothing short Of revolutionary. 1t decentralizes
the administration of the whole system; 1t brings
all primary schools. sectarian or board and sec
ondary and technical schools also under the d.
rect control Of the county and bortugh COUNCILS
which hold the purse-strings.
The Liberals, who have stood for the prin-
ciple of local administration and have cham
p:oned the county councils, will find 1t difflcut
to object to the creation Of local Department
Of Education In every county with committees
which represent the elective body In control 1
the schools The new BILL while containing many
useful features, like raising the age limit LOT
compulsory attendance to twelve years, ana wnhe
rendering the whole system more flexible really
turns out expert talent from the management IN
Whitehall and the local school boards and brings
in amateur7 from the county councils The nos
tiity Of the school boards Of expert educators IS
excited at once. Moreover. patrons or the sec
tartan schools while relieved by the prospect Of
financial support from the State and by the re-
moval of determinations against their schools,
are alarmed by the menace of local superin-
tendence and by the contingent provisions for
n bar
under their auspices
The bill will probably make more enemies than
friends for the Government. The remainder OF
the session will he largely occupied with it, and
the Liberals arc likely to profit by so unsettling
a compromise measure. The Irish members VIII
probably vote with the Government, since Cardi-
nal Vaughan processes to be satisfied with the
measure; but astute leaders like Sir William
Harcourt. Mr. Morley, Mr.. Asquith. Mr.. Bryce
and Mr. Acland. hardly fail to harass the
Unionst majority.
While Liberal reorganization Is deferred in
definitely by the Hrddersfeld conference much
is going on under the surface. Lord Rosepery IS
not injured by the renewal OF the attack from
Mr. I.abouchere but his leadership. Is impaired
by his own neglect to give a signal for the
simplifcation of the Newcastle programme and
the effective concentration of English resources
Of Liberalism
London has been empted Of rank and fashion
this we.k The Ministers have set the example
Lord Salisbury going to Beaulieu, the Duke OF
;Bevonshire to Madrid Mr. Chamberlain 10 BIZ
ra:ngham and their associates to their country
houses There is q partial muster of the royal
family IN the Riviera; Lord Tweedmouth is in
Rome Monte Carlo is filled with English visitors.
and Paris has attracted many more. There are
many country house parties. the Duke OF west
minister Lord Derby, Lord Lansdowne. the Duke
Of Richmond, Sir Francis Jeune, LORD coventry
Lord Zetland and many others entertaining on a
large scale The Duke Of Marlborough, returning
TO Blenheim with his American bride from a
Continental tour, was warmly welcomed by the
town and corporation of Woodstock. The town
was gayly decorated; the school children pre-
sented bouquets. the tenants were Toasted and
treated to an evening show Of fireworks. The
initiative habit so strong in England, sends
everybody out Of London for the spring holiday.
Excursion trains have been running for four
days at reduced rates in all directions. carrying.
as estimated, a hundred thousand pleasure-seek-
ers. Those unable TO 20 away pull down the
curtains and keep up their reputation FOR good
form The clubs are deserted. many theatres
closed the streets abnormally quiet. the shops
empty, cabmen idle every well-dr ssed man IS
rather ashamed to be seen In town. when. &C
cording TO social usage, he ought to be some
where else.
The Easter volunteer manoeuvres are also in
progress and have taken thousands Into camp.
The movement Of volunteers began yesterday
and will last until Tuesday. This annual muster
OF a splendid body Of well-drilled home soldiers
will bring fully 100000 men into the field in va
r.ous districts Of England.
With the astonishing exodus from London,
enough people remained to fill the churches and
oratorio and concert halls on Good Friday. Not
wthstandng the binding yellow fog three
hours service was held In Westminster Abbey
for the first time Canon Gore conducted 1t, MAX
ing a series Of addresses on the Sayings from
the Cross with intervals Of silent prayer and
congregational singing The Abbey transepts
were crowded to suffocation. the novelty Of
service Of that kind In that PLACE attracting
thousands During the afternoon "The Redemp-
ton sung by the Queens Hall Choir. and
IN the evening THE Messiah" by the Royal
Choral Society in Albert Hail. There were also
sacred concerts in the Crystal Palace. st. Jamess
Hall and elsewhere.
Several theatres reopen tonight. two with new
pieces the Princess with The Star Of india"
introducing scenes from the East. such as the
Jungle the River Manipur and exterior and In
terror views OF the British Residency: and Duke
of York's Theatre, where another musical
comedy 1.-The Gay Parisienne," Is added to the
list OF successful pieces Of this class. Sir Angus
tus Harris will reopen the Drury Lane to-nigh:
for a season OF English opera. beginning with
Faust" Many actors have taken advantage Of
the vacation to pay visit to Paris and see
some Of the best French plays
A fine programme of holiday sport is offered for
early next week. Fifteen racetracks will be
opened In various parts Of England with an I'M
usually good lot Of horses. The cricket season
IL starting in with colt" teams. and football is
now at it's height There is never any lack OF
varied sport during the English holiday week;