The herald., 1898-02-22
tinued its labors yesterday (Monday) with
out unusual excitement.
THE IRISH QUESTION

In the house of commons today, Mr.. Bal
four. speaking of the proposed measure
concerning Ireland, said he believed 1t
would work through failure to success.
which would be the beginning of better and
brighter days for Ireland. The govern
ment, Mr.. Balfour continued, proposed that
the local administration be distributed be-
tween county councils. urban aud rural
district councils. and boards of election.
the election of which would be by parlia-
mentary franchise, with the addition OF
peers and women.
The qualifications and disqualifications
for election of the councillors would be the
same as in England, except that ministers
of religion would be disqualified from sit
ting in the county or district council, the
government acting therein in accordance
with precedents.
For the sake of convenience. Mr.. Balfour
further explained, the boundaries OF the
existing unions and also the counties.
would be modified, and the county councils
would take over the duties of grand Ju-
ries, but only in fiscal matters. and would
not include criminal Jurisdiction or ques-
tions of compensation for malicious inJu-
ries. Orish "Ohs!O The elections lor
county and district councils would De tri-
ennial and all would retire together. me
councils would be the sole rate coiecting
authority, and would control the expend-
Itures. They would also be responsible for
dealings with exceptional distress and
would decide when the requests OF boards
of guardians for outdoor relief should be
granted. Dublin, Belfast, CORK. London
derry Limerick and Waterford would be
constituted Independent county councils.
Tbe county would be responsible for half
the extra expenditure. Mr.. Balfour also
nointed out that the bill provided that the
occupier was liable TO both the county cess
and poor rate, whether In town or rural
district, which would involve a readjust-
ment OF rents, an equal sum to be granted
from the imperial exchequer as an agricul-
turai grant.
Mr.. Balfour said he though the bill was
baged on broad Democratic lines.
John Morley, chief secretary for ireland
In the late Liberal administration, well
coined the bill as being "a genuine demo-
cratic effort"
Mr., Dillon, chairman of the Irish Par
liGmsntary party. said he thought the
measure was an immense advance over the
bill OF 1892, and fulfilled the promise Of the
government, But he claimed It was not
squal 10 the English or Scotch measure.
He pointed out that the control of the po-
lice WAS not given TO the councils. New
ertheless, he added. the bill would DO much
good, and his party would endeavor to
execute II IN good faith.
John Redmond. the Parneliite ieaoer.
also welcomed the bill, but he criticised
some points OF the measure. He added
that II It worked successfully 1t would be
an unanswerable argument In favor OF
home rule.
Col, Edward J. Saunders, Conservative
member for North Armagh, said major
ity Of the landlords recognized the neces-
sity of the measure. which, he added. of
fered an opportunity for all classes OF
Irishmen to unite for o common purpose.
Timothy Healy, Irish Nationalist. praised
tho bill, and Michael Davitt, Irish Ma
tionniist, threatened opposition 70 tnat
mart of the bill promising relief to the
landlords in the shape Of an agricultural
grant
Ing.