The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-02-25

platform these days.
The reason for the revival of the Irish
hopes is the strong tendency toward
union among the Parnellites and anti
Parncllites. 1t is observed that, while
Mr. Redmond is opposed openly to such
a reunion, his followers are not so out
spoken, and that while Timothy Hcaly,
leader of the third section, is apparently
as irreconciable as ever, his disciples
are likewise leaning in the direction of a
quiet burial OF pas, differences
Another important influence is the
operation of the now county councils
with which Ireland has been provided.
Sir Edward Grey, Nj. p, thus summed
up their effect:
Il believe they will show The minority
in ireland that they must work with the
majority. and that in the next few years
the outcome will be Il demand for home
rule growing up again with new life, and
perhaps i'll Il new form, moro moderate
and more reasonable, but more united
than before
asked Mr.. OConnor what he thought
about this important development, and
his answer, as printed here, may be ac-
repted as accurate, for he corrected the
quotation in manuscript:
Il don't know the opinions of tho in
diriduals who lead the different sections
OF the Irish party except one, and lie is
John Dillon | know his mind. and can
speak positively in saving that he is
most anxious for unity among the war-
ring sections. There can be no progress
for home rule until tho party is united
Mr.. Dillon has the largest number of
followers. but he is willing to step down
and out at any moment if the interest of
the party seems to require such step.
He is, however, we'll qualified to lead
The feeling in favor of the union is
growing rapidly, and | should not be
surprised to see it accomplished soon
You already find Parnclltes and anti
Parnellites on the same platform in the
west of Ireland, speaking In perfect ac-
cord on matters affecting the govern
mcnt of the country.
AT present there is no vital point of
divergence among the NntionHlists cX-
ccpt the memories of old bad feeling
AS soon as the Irish parties arc
agreed, homo rule will become incvitu-
bic. We have lag majority against us
in the house of commons, hut that ma
jority will be overcome by power of
numbers and logic of circumstances, al
though ii might take five or six years to
do it.
"Of course, the present q'Iarrels have
greatly diminished the contributions
from the United States. In general tho
attitude there is: so long as you quarrel
among yourselves, we'll give you no
money Yet since Parncll's death there
have been handsome and generous sub
and New York and some Of the larger
cities"
Mr.. OCOnnor Is generally credited
with getting through with moro work in
man in parliament, and asked him how
he did il.
"Ah, said Mr. OConn0i, smilinG Joy
ously "lvc no method no system, no
regularity. no punctnalty. In all The
writing I've donc in all these years I've
never been ahead OF timc with line.
I've never been latc, either but I'm Il
true journalist. Eve put everything off
till the last moment. Besides conduct
ing M. a. r., write steadily for the
Daily Telegraph, ana have some lnag:l-
zinc articles on hand. Haven't written
a word on 'cm yet. either. But | hnYrn'i
any books on hand now. although the
story of l'arncll's downfall now running
in M. a. p, will doubtless be published
In book form. wouldn't write another
line for a newspaper if ! could help it.
"Although Il member Of parliament
works hard eight hours every day
during the session, really think your
American member of congress works
still harder Ills constituents expect
more personal services from him. They
want him to run out and get inventions
patented for them, and do things like
that. Our constituents don't make any
such demands on us.
what uses us up is the late hours
and the bad air down there by the
Thames. Parliament used to meet at Z
or s O'Clock in the morning in ancient
times; now the sessions begin at 3 and
70 on until about 1890 the next morn
ing Many Of the members broke down
from it 1T the end OF the last session
"Parliamcnt will have to reform its
hours before long. The reason for this
Is that so many Of the members are law
ycrS and business; men, who have 10 do Il
days work and earn days living be-
fore they can enjoy the luxury Of doing
another days work that same day for
the government Perhaps til" payment
of salaries to members might help to
remedy this unfortunate state of affairs,
but in any event no such sum could be
considered as that paid to the American
members of congress; ,G3OO u year has
been mentioned, bat the subject has not
bcln considered seriously. England Is
about the only country remaining now
that asks It's legislators to serve for