The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-31
The Close Of tho English Session.

England seems to have watched the flight
OF her legislators to grouse moors and
salmon streams without any Of the appre-
hension that the knowledge Of deserted
Westminster might be expected to arouse.
There appears. on the contrary, to have
gone up a sigh OF relief over the pro-
rogaton Of what has been one OF the dull
est Pariaments that ever met to transact
the Queens business.
The session that has recently closed has
indeed been wofully bare OF either personal
or political interest. No domestic measures
Of first rate Importance have been intro
duced and foreign affairs, except toward tho
finish when the Transvaal crisis grew
serious have caused scarcely ripple of
excitement Only one debate, that on the
Church Discipline bill, was really worthy OF
the House OF Commons. On the Conserva-
tive side Lord SALISBURY stands IL possible,
n little higher than he did. The struggle
for mastery between Mr.. BALFOUR and Mr.
CHAMBERLAIN Is still as keen as ever with
the advantage perhaps slightly inclining to
the Colonial Secretary. No new men have
appeared, though both Mr.. BRoDRICK and
Mr.. WYNDHAM have done we'll In their
offices. Among the Gladstonians, who are
still far from being an organized and effective
party, the most interesting features Of the
session were the appearance OF Sir WILLIAM
HARCoURT as a free lance and Sir HENRY
CAMPBELL BANNERMAN's assumption Of the
leadership. Neither statesman was seen at
his best in his new part.
The Government seems, however, to have
passed n fair amount Of useful domestic
legislation. The London Government bill
was its principal measure and some merry
debates ragged round the question whether
women should be made eligible for Office in
the newly created municipalities. Tho
House OF Commons, after several divisions.
declared them competent to become coun-
cillors, but barred them from the mayoralty
and aldermanship. The Lords, in spite of a
strong protest from Lord SALISBURY, voted
to exclude them from all Offices whatso-
ever and to this amendment the Commons
sooner than come In open conflict with the
upper house on such an issue, were forced
to agree. The bill sweeps away the old
vestrles and district boards, creating in
their place several subordinate municipali-
ties OF the pattern common in the PROV
inces. The city OF London and Greater
old Parliamentary city, are left untouched
and the powers of the London County
Council not directly nterfered with. In
deed, the chief result OF the bill Is the rear
rangement OF areas on sensible plan and
the placing of thom under the control of
fully constituted municipalities. In this
way it is hoped the problem OF governing
the huge, amorpAous city will be solved.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer was able
to show considerable surplus for the year
1s9S-99, rather to the surprise OF the coun-
try, but was called upon to face an esti-
mated deficit OF about two and n half
millions for the current year. This he pro-
posed to make good by reducing the fixed
debt charge from twenty-five millions to
twenty-three millions and by additional
stamp duties and increased wine duties.
The reduction Of the debt charge. as we'll as
the changes contemplated by SIR MICHAEL
HICKS BEACH in the system OF termina-
bic annuities TO prevent the Sinking Fund
from becoming dangerously swollen after
the interest on consols is lowered In 1903,
were condemned by the Liberals but not
with much effect. The opposition OF the
colonial wine-growers brought about con-