New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-22
LOCAL RULE FOR IRELAND.
GERALD BALFoUR PRESENTS THE LONG
PROMISED GOVERNMENT BILL.
.nu1s1srRAr1vE POWER VESTED IN COUNTY
.,,n n,sre1cr couNcrIs-THE MEASURE
WE'LL RECEIVED BY LIBERAL AND
IRISH MEMBERS

rordon Feb 21-The House Of Commons was
.-ouded to-day when Gerald Balfour. Chief Sec
rstsrv for Ireland. introduced the Irish Local
government BILL In so doing he said he thought
!, ,ossible the new order Of things would at
e-st seem TO be a failure. but he believed II
,yould work through failure 10 the success which
4, aaserved and which would be the beginning
=, hetter and brighter days for Ireland.
Tho Government Mr.. Balfour continued. pro-
,osed that the local administration should be
s,stributed between County Councils, urban and
rral district councils and boards OF guar
d,ans. the election OF which would be by Parlia-
mentary franchise. with the addition OF peers
and women. The qualifications and disquailhca-
tons for election as Councillors would be the
same as in England except that clergymen
would be disqualified from sitting in the County
or District Councils the Government acting
therein In accordance with precedents.
For the sake of convenience. MIR. Balfour fur
ther explained, the boundaries OF the exlsting
unions and also Of the counties would be modi-
Aed and the County Councils would take over
the duties of grand juries, but only In fiscal
matters and would not include criminal juris-
siction or questions Of compensation for ma
ucous injuries Qrish "Ohs , The elections
for County and District Councils would be trien-
n,al and all would retire together. The County
Councils would be the sole rate collecting au-
thority, and would control the expenditures
They would also be responsible for dealing with
exceptional distress and would decide when the
requests Of Boards Of Guardians fer outdoor re-
lief should be granted. Dublin. Belfast, CORK
limerick Londonderry and Waterford would be
constituted Independent County Councils The
county would be responsible for half the extra
expenditure.
Mr. Bafour also pointed out that the bill pro-
yided that tenants should be liable to both the
county cess and poor rate. whether in towns or
rural districts which would involve readjust-
ment Of rents. an equal sum to be granted from
the Imperial Exchequer agricultural grant.
Mr.. Ralfour said he thought the bill was based
on broad democratic lines. adding that If ex-
trayagance occurred those responsible for them
would bear the burden. while they would reap
the benefits Of economy.
John Morley, Chief Secretary for Ireland In
tie last Liberal Administration. welcomed the
bill as being a genuine democratic effort"
John Dillon. chairman Of the Irish Parliamen-
tary party said he thought the measure was an
immense advance over the bill Of 1892. and full
Allied the promise Of the Government, but he
declared II was not equal to the English and
Scotch measures He pointed out that the con-
troll OF the police was not given to the Coun-
ellis Nevertheless. the bill would do much good,
and his party would endeavor to execute 1t In
good faith
John Redmond. the Parnelite leader also well
coined the BILL though he criticised some points
of the measure. II It worked successfully, he
said II would be an unanswerable argument In
favor of Home Rule.
Colonel Edward ]. Saunderson. Conservative
member for North Armagh. said majority OF
the landlords recognized the necessity OF the
measure, which offered an opportunity for all
classes of Irishmen to unite for common pur-
pose.
Timothy Healy Irish Nationalist member for
North Louth. praised the bill.
Michael Davitt, Irish Nationalist, threatened
opposition to the section promising relief to the
landlords in the shape of an agricultural grant
The bill passed its first reading.