The San Francisco call., 1898-03-27
Holding of a Public Ballot Causes All Opposition to
 Quickly Vanish.
REMAINS IN THE COMMONS
J. J. Clancy, M. P, Writes Mos EnterlaininqIy on Topics of Inter
 est to Every Irishn1an.
BY J. J. CLANCY,


 DUBLIN. March 12.-The Dublin Cor poration on Monday last responded to public expectation by electing John Howard Parnell to the post of City Marshal It did more, in fact, for it elected him unanimously. This result was undoubtedly due to the influence of outside opinion. It is probable that 6 majority of the members of the corporation would have voted in any case for the brother of Charles Stewart Parnell. But one or two of the other candidates had been pretty strongly supported, and their friends among the City Fathers would have certainly voted for them but for the manifesto tion of feeling that had taken place in favor of MT ParneIl. The question whether the election was to be unani- nous or not was virtually decided on a preliminary motion to the effect that the election should be by open voting. When that proposition was carried by an overwhelming majority the final re- suit was clearly in sight, and when that result was at last reached it may be said that there was a general sense of relief. It was intolerable to most per sons that a brother of the great Irish leader should find himself in need of appealing to the members of any pub lie body for the means Of livelihood, and it was felt almost universally that it would have been a disgrace if he had appealed to them in such a matter in vain. The consequence was that when he was elected, and elected unani- mously into the bargain, there was uni versal rejoicing, particularly in Dublin and Cork, winch, from the start, have been thoroughly Parnellite. John Par nell being one of the members of Par lament for Meath, the question now remains whether he will resign his seat in the House of Commons. This matter has not yet been determined. There is no absolute necessity for his doing so, and the people of Meath appear to desire that he should continue their representative. This being so, it is probable that he will continue to sit for Meath, at least for some time longer. Although he is not pronai- nent figure in Parliament he is a steady voter and steadfast Parnellite, and his colleagues of the Independent party would, therefore, on more grounds than one, regret his departure from their midst.
 may add that. personally, he is favorite with members of all nation alities at Westminster. He is one of a small number of members who play chess with conspicuous skill and his feats in that line are often witnessed with interest in the smoking-room of the House of Commons.
 MT Patrick O'BFien's action which I mentioned in my last letter as about to come in on Wednesday in one of the chancery courts here, was duly tried on that day and, as 1 anticipated was decided in his favor. AS it turned out the law was entirely in his favor 11t n do not believe an appeal will be taken. The case was fought on legal lines only, and not much of interest to the general public was brought out be- yond what I have already mentioned. It was noted. however, that the main ground of defense, namely, that in sticking to Parnell in the crisis of 1890 he had broken his pledge to ''sit, act and vote" with the Irish party was not pressed at all. The pledge referred to was mentioned, but no attempt was made to prove that he had violated it. This is a rather significant circum- stance, considering that for long time the chief charge against the Par nellites was that they were pledge breakers" The fact is, that the charge could not be proved.
 The opposition to the local govern rnent bill is, as l expected, increasing. It is arising on two SideS-the side of the English Liberals and the side of the Irish Unionists. The opposition of English Liberals is dictated by merely party motives. They are in opposition, and they want to defeat the. Govern ment. and they think that this is a good opportunity for attack. They have, of course, a plausible excuse. The Gov ernment proposals involve the grant Of a considerable sum of money to the Irish landlords, and they object to any money being given to that class as such. This excuse, however, is friv- olous and futile one. The money which is to be given to the Irish landlords is part of sum admitted to be due to Ire land, and if the Irish people themselves have no objection that some Of 1t should be given to the landlords, no set of FneIishrnen ought to have any. The Irish IJnionists object for a different reason-for the same reason as that for which they objected to home rule namely. that the new bill would give the masses of their own countrymen control of their own local affairs The mere mention of this position in this matter is enough to condemn 1t in the eyes of all sensible people. The fact IS, the minority in Ireland haVlng Tor three hundred years monopoly or power in Ireland, want to retain that monopoly. Of course, they cannot retaln 1t. They must, henceforward share power with the rest of their felloW-coun- tryrnen. and from all l can near lnls is the determination of the present Government. Meanwhile, they are up in arms against their own ideal govern ment. and are vowing vengeance against them all over those parts or the North of Ireland in which they are m a majority. It is a funny, ana. aI the same time, an instructive, spectacie.
 The first of the celebrations or tloe ioe anniversary of the instruction oI oo is to take place tomorrow in the spot known as the Nine Acres. Phoenlx Park. It Is certain to be big denomc ,ac stration. It is organized by the 70 Centenary Committee which sits ln tIle City Hall and has been engaged 1oI six or seven months In prepar1ng loI