The Irish standard., 1900-09-15
WHAT HB SAYS OF TIMOTHY HRALY
Members Keep Away from the
House Of Commons.
/. P. ocoNNoR ATTENDS REGULARLY
Yet He Thinks But Little of the
Clever Journalist.

In letter from Dublin, dated Aug.
16, Fir. I. H. Malone, of the Colorado
Catholic, has the following to say on
the condition of Ireland:
The political and Industrial condi-
tions of Ireland are anything but in
viting. With the general election an
proaching there is not, 1 am sorry to
say, that unity which is essential to
success. How far Mr.. Healy will car
ry his opposition, the past record of
that gentleman may indicate. There
Is no doubt, however, that the masses
of the Irish people are behind Mr..
Redmond in his efforts to conciliate
all factions, but it seems to me that
an angel from heaven could not con-
ciliate Mr.. Healy. AS pointed out
in Il former letter, general election is
likely to take place in October. 1t is
nearly certain that eighty or more
Nationalists will be returned. Now.
this fact may and may not mean much
for Ireland. Looking at it from Amer
ica, we are apt to conclude that par
ty SO numerically strong must per-
force be tower of strength in de-
manding the righting of Irish griev-
ances.
But this does not necessarily follow.
Much, in fact everything. depends
upon the caliber of the men selected.
A united Irish Nationalist party, COM
posed of eighty sterling members, men
ever OH the watchtower of Westmin-
ster, would certainly make England
listen to Irish appeals.
But will there be such party?
hope so, although l fear otherwise
The present Irish Nationalist party
and am not speaking of the fractional
quarrels which have kept them apart
lis q weak set. At no time, l am
informed, were more than thirty or
forty Irish members in attendance. 1t
is said in extenuation of this lament
able condition that many of the ab-
sentees could not afford to be present.
This is unfortunate, of course, and
such men should not stand in the way
Of others who could find the time and
means. if given the opportunity, to be
in attendance at every session of Par
lament.
When Parnell was alive he saw to it
that his colleagues were enabled to at
tend regularly to their duties. What
pity they killed Parnell! There. arc
some men who are quite able to at
tend to their parliamentary duties, yet
they are not tower of strength to the
Irish cause. Take T. P. O'Connor,
for instance. He is now, in Ireland
pleading the cause Of the Irish peasant
as devoutly as though he had never
made money in trafficking with the
Tories. This gentleman, 1t will be
remembered, started two newspapers
in London, avowedly in support of
Irish Nationalist principles, yet he
could not Withstand the temptation of
British gold, and sold them both to
Ireland's enemies. He is now engaged
although nominally an Irish Nation.
alist and member of Parliament, in
editing newspaper devoted to heap
ing sickening praise upon English
royalty. And this same man spoke
yesterday at a National meeting in
County Cavan! 1t is such men as
T. p. O'Connor who give courage to
Ireland's enemies.
Unless the people Of Ireland arouse
themselves and brush aside the lncom
petence, repeat there is little that is
inviting in the political condition OF
ireland at the present time. 1t is q
good sign, however, that the bishops
priests and people Of Ireland are in
clined to support the leadership of Mr.
Redmond, who is certainly a most dis
interested and fair-minded man.
But bad as the political outlook is
the industrial prospect is infinitely
worse. There is now a spell of warm
weather, which promises to minimize
the dangers which. threaten from the
prolonged rains. For this, of course
all are supremely grateful. 1t is in
conceivable, however, that ireland
should prosper, even If she had the
best of crops, for it must be borne ir
mind that there are no manufactures