The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-22
THE ROBBERY OF IRELAND.

The condition Of Ireland has been
brought 10 the attention of the world
frequently enough during the past hum
bred years. bat her wrongs have been
practically unknown. Sympathy has been
excited by the desoIatsness of the silent
harp that once through Tara's halls told
the story OF her giories and sorrows. but
Il has been assumed that the grievances
was entirely a sentimental one. An arti-
Gle published In the April number OF the
American Catholic Quarterly Review
from the pen Of John ]. C'shea. puts
new aspect on the question.
From the figures given IL Is evident that
Ireland has been taxed TO death. Even
upon the admission OF a British commits
sion OF inquiry the island has been over
taxed 100000 q year since 1853, or total
OF over 81 .0o9. ooo 0oo In forty-four years. The
writer shows how this has been done by
the government starting out on errone-
ous computation and carrying the error
forward through the succeeding years.
TO this has been added the cost OF govern
ment. which re shows to be out of all pro-
EoTtlon 10 the popuiation-
The truth has not been realized even by
British statesmen like Gladstone. Their
measures OF reform have been OF the SEN
tlmental order Of which disestablishment
OF the state church was an example. Less
government and less taxes were what was
needed. but at each new attempt to pla-
cate the people by apparent concessions
there have been more government and
more taxes.
O'Shea draws a melancholy contrasting
picture between the condition OF Ireland
before and since the union. There were
once forty paper mills in Dublin. now
there Is not one. Outside of Ulster. he
says. there IS little but agriculture to en-
gage the energies OF the working classes.
The silk weaving, glass-blowing and other
industries have disappeared. Much Of
this is due. no doubt. to the concentration
OF manufactures and TO machinery. but
the chief cause Is the excessive taxation,
which too. the percentage that should
have been devoted TO the introduction of
modern methods into the established
trades.
The article cannot fail to create a great
sensation. II Is the clearest presentation
OF the wrongs of Ireland made la twenty
years at least II deals only with facts.
The rhetoric usually considered essential
to dissertation on Irish grievances is
wanting. but there is no lack OF yivacity In
presenting the case. Even In England this
article cannot fail to have a most bene-
fetal effect. and IL no more is done. at
least the injustice in taxation should be
remedied.
The article would have been more valu-
able had IL shown how Ulster, which has
born Its share of the taxation. has been
an exception TO the general depression.
o'Shea attributes 1t to the support OF It's
interests by the ruling classes on account
OF its loyalty to British interests" II
loyalty 10 British interests is all that is
required 20 bring prosperity. It might be
suggested tsat other parts OF Ireland give
that policy a trial We think Mr.. o'shsa
is mistaken; but he gives that expiana-
ton. and 10 will be seized upon by the
authorities. who attribute the distress
elsewhere than In Ulster not to real
grievances. but 20 disloyaity.