The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-11
Will the British Parliament BE Soon
DiSsOlVcdp

Although the statement recently made by
Lord SELBoRNE, the Under Secretary for
the Colonies, that the Unionists were ap-
preaching the electoral zone, has been con-
tradictcd by another member of the Gov
eminent, II is believed in London that the
rXpedirncy of ,lisspiyng Parliament at an
early date is seriously discussed. At the
first glance all the arguments seem to be
against such proposal, but, upon ronec-
tinn it will bc found that n good deal may
be said in favor Of it.
It is true, of course, that the legal life OF
British Parliament is seven years, and so
long a. a Prime Minister can retain a ma
iNrity in the House OF Commons he is
strongly tempted to wait until near the
expiration OF the statutory term before in
curing the risk and expense of Il new gen
eral election. Tho House OF Commons
which came into existence in 1874, and
which stcadilyuph"'d Lord BEACoNSFIEI.D's
Government, lasted until 1880, and tho
R0uS" which WAS chosen in the summer
o. $50, and in which the VnionistS secured
stable ma Ority, was not dissolved until
June, 1892. II these prcccdents were fol-
lowed ahlissolutiOn would not take place be-
fore 1901. and coGcnt reason for follow
ing them seems TO be supplied by the fact
that the huge Ministerial majority seems
mistaken. Lord SALISBURY can hardly OK
poet to do better than to repeat the extraor-
binary success which he gained In 1898.
What understanding advantage can he
looked fOr then, from IN experiment which,
at least involves tho possibility OF lessen
ing the proponderancc which Ia. at present,
possessed by the Unionst party in the
House Of Commons
Those who advocate dissolution answer
that the very strength possessed by Lord
SALIsBURY's Government at the present
time is an argument for seeking forthwith
new mandate from tho electors, instead
OF waiting until events may have dimin.
ished its popularity in the country at large
II a general election We're to take place
within i month, the chances seem over.
whelmngly in favor OF a Unionist victory
at the ballot box. Two years, or even a
twelvcmonth hence, the prospect may be
materially changed. The political pendu
lum which, since the passage OF the first
Reform act, has oscillated with n close ap
proach to regularity may have swung in q
Liberal direction. Just now the Liberals
are disorganlzed. but that is a source OF
weakness which time may remove. From
the ruck OF nominal and sccond-rate com
manders great standard bearer may
emerge. For tho moment, however, the
Liberals are 30 divided that vigorous co
operation seems impossible. Friends o.
Lord RosEBERY could hardly be expected tc
support with fervor candidates known tc
sympathize with Sir WILLIAM HARcoURT
and tho Irish vote in Great Britain, which
is large, could not be relied upon by nomi
nees who, like Lord RosIBERY, should b.
disposed to revert to the programme o.
1888, or in other words, to throw ovcl
home rule.
Sharp, too. is the antagonlsm between the
Imperialist element OF the Liberal party
and the Little Highlander section, of which
Mr.. JOHN MORLEY is the most conspicuous
representative. But, we repeat it is un
reasonable to suppose that this state o