New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-06
STAGNANT WESTMINSTER.
CLOSE OF THE DULLEST SESSlON-A
REFORM BILL WITH THE RING OF
HARD CASH-LIBERAL
LEADERSHIP.

teal proofs OF Legislative industry. Stagnant
politics has not implied idlcness on the part OF
the lawmakers. More useful work has been
done during this session than in any single year
Of Conservative government during tho Queens
reign The Irish Local Government: bill is
large. progressive measure. following the main
lines OF similar Legislation for England and
Scotland. with notifications required FOR recon
Cling the landowners to tenant rule. the
passage OF so complex scheme for the transfer
of local administration in Ireland from the old
time governing class TO the masses IS remark
able achievement Cor the Unonist Ministry; and
the remainder Of the legislation OF the session
is OF unusual variety and importance II has
been a busy and fruitful session but II has been
in the language Of the smokng-room of the
Commons, deadly dull politics."
The strangest anomaly has been the facility
with which Irish bill of great Importance has
been enacted without a struggle. and hardly
single angry or resentful debate In either House
After the storm and stress Of agitation. obstruc-
ton and passion over Irish legislation Tor
generation there has been great calm when
violent partisans have become listless and ami
able. and nobody has seemed to mind what was
going on There has been no Systematic oppo-
siton to the measure In either house. The LID
erals have been lstess spectators; the Nauoh-
aist groups have shown good temper ana re-
Trained from their usual harassng tactics ana
the Unionsts have voted With languid indf-
ference and cynical amusement In the LORDS
there Is a disposition to be critical respecting
minor details and Lord Londonderry. the Duke
Of Abercorn and Lord Morris have had recourse
10 gloomy vaticiration respecting impending
corruption and misgovernmcnt; but the measure
will be accepted with possibly one or two trivial
amendments. It is the first Irish measure winch
has been passed in thirty years without a scene
in either house contentious debate OF any
seriousness. Parties factions and classes seem
10 have experienced benignant change OF heart
on Irish questions.
SYMPATHY FOR GLADsTONE'S IDEAS
This marvellous shifting OF temper in the
relations OF Ireland and England is to be at
tributed mainly to the touch Of sympathy which
Mr. Gladstone supplied by the closing labors OF
his life BY his chivarous championship or
irish ideas he created an atmosphere for the
ra6ress q grievances and while he failed TO
carry Home Rule he forced his opponents 10
bring in a large measure OF local government
based on democratic principles. He softened
the asperities Of Irish Judgment respecting Eng
land. and promoted a growth of good feelihs
between hostile races Disastrous as his Home
Rule policy proved for the Liberal party. II was
triumphant as a practical expedient for erect
ing 4 reconciliation between Ireland and Eng
land I.awlcssness. outrage and pollticai crime
have ceased in the island; obstruction Is no
longer the Nationalist weapon at Westminster
o,d ,here is free field for broad and pro-
gresslve reform measures.
There Is also practical explanation or the
facility with which the Local Government Dill
has been carried through Parliament. The Dill
carried with IT an annual Treasury grant OF
f73OOOO which the price OF Its passage
The opposition OF the landlords was disarmed
by the remission OF their taxes. and by SAFE
guards against extravaganza on the part vi
elective councils The occupiers were also guar
anteed reduction Of their county cess ana
were armed with complete control over local
government. The financial benefits were shared
alike by the landowners and the tenants. Some
thing like a bride offered TO both classes
and It has been accepted. The tenants VIII
convert every county council into a stronghold
Of local power. but the landowners will be
adequately protected against Increased expend'-
lures at their own cost. The occupiers are left
10 stew in their own juice. and 10 pay for II
themselves.
and tenants this bill could not have been
enacted The Unionist Government has vir-
tualIv bought I'D all opposition by It's ingenious
anneals to self-interest. Neither the National
LET members nor the titled land-holders were
dismissed 10 retard or block the passage or a
measure which implied remission OF taxation
for classes and masses alike.
WHY OPPOSITION DISAPPEARED.
o-j liz
the gold sovereign. Every ore in Parliament
has understood this. and nobody has wanted
To- saw much about It, The debates In both
Houses have lacked sincerity and animation.
because there was an underlying issue OF f'3o.-
OOO in very hard cash. concerning which silence
was golden. Consequently 1t has been dull
session with q chief measure which nobody on
either side Of the House eager to discuss.
With remission OF taxes the new county coun-
ellis will be created under favorable conditions
for trincing land owners and occupiers into
good relations. Irish local politicians VIII have
new field for activity. About every penny
which they add to the rates will be paid by
their own class and 1t will be impossible for
them TO saddle upon the landlords the burden
OF extravagant and reckless expenditures
regulations REMAIN UNCHANGED.
During 90 dull a session political regulations
have remained unchanged Mr.. Gerald Balfour
has shown his capacity for discussing intel-
gently the details OF a complex measure ana Is
nerhaps held in higher estimation than he was
AT the opening of the year. Mr.. Arthur Balfour
has had little need to exert himself In leading
the House Mr. Chamberlain has been silent
figure during the session, and has been less
constant in his attendance than he usually Is
No new men have come forward on the Govern
n,ent side The security OF Ministry which
is supported by majority OF 40 in fuu
House has tended to paralyze debates There
has been a lack Of humor and Of lively byplay
in the proceedings. Everybody In the Commons
has seemed to be hopelessly bored and GER
tainly there has been marked decline In public
ln,arast. In the debates Even reports OF de-