New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-06
TPTSH INDUSTRIES REIIIING.

Inc WISH Ol the LUKE Oh lo!h ~ iI'ihh" "'''
marked with much ceremonial distinction. ana
also with something more important. one oi
the first acts OF His Royal HighnesS was 10
open an exhibition got up ut Dublin 10y that
Irish Industrial Association which was founded
by Lady Aberdeen dozen years ago. THIS cN-
hihitiOn is highly significant. 1t displays IN ah
impressive manner the industrial progress when
has been made by Ireland in recent years. ana
the very considerable prosperity now enjoyed.
There has been a noteworthy increase OF textile
industry in Ireland. both in cottage workshops
in the rural districts and in power man'liacio-
rcs in the cities and large towns. and it Is CON
fined to no one part of the island. nut Is 10 ne
observed in rebel Cork" as well as in loyal
Ulster" Fine samples Of goods are on exhlpi-
ton from Belfast and Dublin and Cork. from
CalodOn and Balbrggan, from Limerick ana
Kilkenny from Mayo. Sligo. Galway ana SCUM
Donegal. and indeed from almost every county
on the island.
The industries represented are varied. and show
some interesting changes. Linen has long he'h
a staple Irish product. OF late the acreage anu
the number of splndleS have both conSidcrapI!
decreased. but the quality Of the goods has been
improved and the industry has been more woe
" extended over the island. Cork is doing about
As well now in linen a lister The wooHen IN
duStry has. on the other hand. greatly increased
I'm all respects Within ten years In" output mas
more than doubled in quantity and has much
improved in quality. Many new factories have
been opened and new STYLES Of goods designed
while under a iudlrious system Of supervision
and oncouragcment the making Of genuine
"homcspuns" on cottage looms in the rural as
trics has been enormously developed. The pro
duction of lace. embroidery and knitted goods
has also attained great proportions In Done
gal alone fully 5000 women are constantly and
prohtably employed n knitting.
The growth OF cottage industries is perhaps
the most noteworthy feature Of the case and
the most gratifying For Ireland Is largely n
land Of cottage homes Most Of the people
dwell in rlr.l parts and villages And II i
they. rather than the dwcllcrs In cities who
have most suffered from hard times and have
most needed relief II IS in the rural districts
that rents have been hardest 10 pay. evictions
most frequent. famine most disastrous. diScon-
tent md woe most intense. All that will b"
changed by cottage industries. The family VIII
no longer be dependent upon the potato-patch
for food and upon the pig for IN" rent The
loom and the knitting needle will play their
parts. HOW hTgPIN tI' INV 'lh'' VI INNS
has already affected the condition OF the pcop'"
Is agrceably evident in the diminu'on or elnl-
graton-that from some counties which once
suffered most has practically ceased the NOR"
prompt payments OF rents and the vastly les
scnod cry Of distress for relief
one other Indication Is equally convincing.
That IT, the subsistence OF political agitation.
1t is true that the Home Rule leaders still keep
ND show OF irrecOncabe hostility to Sas-
senach rule. But their battlccres find weak
popular echoes The fact Is. political discomfort
had lis origin IN industrial distress. and now
that the cause is being abolished the effect Is
naturally disappearing. Theoretically, no doubt,
n large part OF the Irish people would Ike TO
he independent Of Great Britain. Practically,
they are realizing that Great Hr.'ain is begin
ming to treat them Justly. and is able 10 do
and i actually doing much 10 promote their
material welfare and they are therefore be
coming rcconciled 10 pcrpeluity OF the mon.
Ii is all a part OF the economic revolution mat
| Is quietly taking place in the British Empire
through the removal Of the incubus or Golden
ism. 1t was CobdcniSm that crushed Ireland
and that half crushed. half alicnatrd the colo
MES The establishment Of a more rational ana
more righteous system is now developing the
colonies and binding them more closely 10 tie
mother country, and it Is. happily, doing the
same good work for ireland.