The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-07
PROF. BRYCE ON IRISH AFFAIRS

/
| 1t Is natural that thoughtful men In
America however much their minds may
be occupied by urgent questions regarding
the expansion policy on which their own
nation has entered. should desire to know
| the present position OF affairs In Ireland
| country which has SO often been a prime
factor In British politics and relations OF
America herself to Great Britain. Ac-
cordingly will not decline the request to
say something which may be read in the
United States on the present state OF
Ireland, although sensible OF the difficulty
OF suppresslng altogether ones own per-
sonal sympathies, SO as to make the brief
account which ! shall give quite Impair
tial, and, as the Germans say, "objec-
tive" This task, however, Is easier now
than 1t would have been a few years ago,
for at the present moment Ireland is re-
markedly quiet.
For some time past we have witnessed
very few agrarian troubles and hardly any
OF that agrarian crime which used to be
So constant and melancholy feature Of
her annals. There are comparatively few
evictions OF tenants. there Is so little boy
cotting that 1T is practically not heard OF
In England, there are seldom any dis
turbances Of any kind. The peasantry as
a whole are doing well, though OF course
in the 'congested districts along the
west coast their condition remains one of
permanent hardship, and might at any
time become one of severe distress. The
deposits in banks are said to have greatly
increased of recent years, and the i'm
pfovement In methods of agriculture and
OF dairying, slowly as they advance give
grounds for hope that the material condi-
ton of the people will continue to rise.
This better state of things Is of course
mainly due to the land acts, and especial
iy to the great measure passed by Mr..
Gladstone In 1881. which gave the tenant
farmers moderate rents and a security In
their holdings. 1t was n very complicated
measure. and has consequently led to
good deal of litigation. But 1t has worked
we'll, and It's working shows how many OF
the msfortunes of Ireland might have
been averted II Mr.. Gladstones policy had
been adopted thirty years earlier as Ii
might have been If Englishmen had given
due attention to the whole subject OF
Irish land tenure.
~
This pacific state of the island has been
reflected in the house of commons. That
assembly has enjoyed an exemption from
Irish..Sebates and controversies which be-
twee3 1874 and 1885 would have been re-
garde6 as scarcely imaginable. Indeed,
Ireland has pressed itself so little upon
the attention of parliament that English
an Irish question still exists and may
again rise into formidable prominence.
The angry scenes and fiery recriminations
which were once so frequent had at least
the advantage OF forcing people in Eng
land and Scotland to realize how different
things were on the other side of st.
Georges channel; how strong must be the
forces which had made the attitude OF
Irishmen toward English government I'M
like that which they knew to exist In the
larger island, where the persons who ad-
minister the law enjoy the confidence OF
those who are subject to 1t.
The greatest change that has taken
place in Ireland OF late years is that in
troduced by the local government act of
last session. This measure established all |
over the country elective local bodies |
county councils and district councils
given to the similar elective bodies in |
England and Scotland. 1t was u measure
which 1t would have been difficult for a
liberal ministry to carry, but as it was |
by Lord Salsburys govern
ment 1t passed easily through both houses
receiving the support not only of the Brit
lsh liberals but also OF the Irish nation
alist members. The elections to these new /
bodies were held a few months ago and |
pnssed off quietly. In the south, the west /
and the center of Ireland nationalist can
iidates were returned in overwhelming |
the contests having almost !
everywhere been fought on party issues.
Even In Ulster large number OF ma
Iionalists were chosen, the lines of re-
igious division, which usually determine
elections In Ulster, having !
been on this occasion not very sharply |
drawn. One hears that on the whole the
elected to the county councils
have been sensible men. persons of good
reputation In their respective localities,
who are likely to administer local affairs
honestly and economically. The men
chosen to the district councils, which ad-
minister smaller areas. are said to be
inferior TO the county council
,rs. This is natural enough. for the post
II district councillor has of course less at
fractions for citizens of the better sort,
and the range Of choice is less wide.
~
Speaking generally, however. the expert
ment which many observers regarded with
alarm, seems so far to be working WELL
Any faults committed by these new bodies
are pretty sure to be reported and COM
mented on by the vigllant critics who de-
MED that Ireland was At for any kind of
self government, so that II we In England
have not heard of gross plumbers, it may
be assumed that these plumbers have been
few. However. as the councils have been
In existence for few months only, it Is
really too soon to pass any positive judg-
ment upon them.
Although the provisions contained in the
local government act. provisions which re-
stricted the taxing powers OF these coun-
oils and provided for the payment of the
laxes OF land owners out of the imperial
have removed the dlsquiet which
The land owners entertained lest their pc
,uniary interests should suffer. the land
owning class have as whole been dis
pleased with the act, and complain that 1t
should have been passed by the ministry
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