The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-22
IRISH BILL INTRODUCED
Government Hopes For Better
and Brighter Days.
JOHN MORLEY APPROVES
Irish Leaders Praise the Bill,
With Reservation


was crowded today when the chief sec-e-
tary Of Ireland. Mr.. Balfour. introduced
the Irish local government bill In so
doing Mr.. Balfour said he thought It
possible the new order Of things would
at first seem to be a failure but he believed
it would work through failure 10 the sue
cess which would be the beginning Of
better and brighter days for Ireland
The government, Mr.. Balfour continued
proposed that the local administration be
distributed between county councils, ur-
ban and rural district counsils and boards
Of election, the election of which would
be by parliamentary franchise, with the
addition of the peers and women.
The qualifications and disqualifcations
for election of the councillors would be
the same as in England, except that min
listers of religion would be disqualified
from sitting in the county or district
council,the government acting thoroughly
in accordance with precedents.
For the sake of convenience, Mr.. Bal
four further explained, the boundaries of
the existing unions and also of the coun-
ties would be modified and the county
councils would take over the duties OF
grand juries, but only in fiscal matters,
and would not include terminal jurisdic-
ton or questions of compensation for
malicious injuries Orish ohs). The cleo
tions for county and district councils
would be triennial and all would retire
together. The county councils would be
the sole rate-collecting authority and
would control the expenditures. They
would also be responsible for dealings
with exceptional distress and would de-
eide when the requests of boards of
guardians for outdoor relief 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 provided that the occupier was liable
to both the county cess and poor rate,
whether in a town or rural district, which
would involve a readjustment of rents. an
equal sum to be granted from the imper-
ial exchecquer as an agricultural grant.
Mr. Balfour said he thought the bill
was based upon broad. democratic lines.
John Morley chief secretary for Ire
land in the late Liberal administration,
welcomed the bill as being "a genuine
democratic effort"
Mr. Dillon, chairman of the Irish parlia-
mentary party, said he thought the mea-
sure was an immense advance over the
bill of 1892 and fulfilled the promise OF
the government, but he claimed it was not
equal to the English or Scotch measures.
He pointed out that the control of the
police was not given to the councils.
Nevertheless, he added, the bill would do
much good and his party would endeavor
TO execute it in good faith.
John Redmond, the Parnellite leader,
also welcomed the bill, but he criticized
some points of the measure. He added
that if it worked successfully, 1t would
bean unanswerable argument in favor of
home rule.
Colonel Edward ]. SaundersOn, Conser-
vative member for North Armagh, said
a majority of the landlords recognized the
necessity of the measure, which he added.
offered an opportunity for all classes OF
Irishmen to unite for common purpose.
Timothy Healy, Irish Nationalist,
praised the bill. and Michael Davitt, Irish
Nationalist, threatened opposition to that
part Of the bill promising relief 10 the
landlords in the shape Of an agricultural
grant.
The bill eventually passed its first read
ing.
Frank Sherwood was down town today,
rbe first time since he had his tussle with
cholera rnorbus. He says he drove thirty
miles after he was taken, and never came
so near dying in his life. After this when
he goes out in the country he will take a
bottle of Chamberlain's Collie. Cholera
and Diarrhoea Remedy with him.-Mis-