The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-02-21
IRELAND AND aLANDLoRDIsM.o

The greatest thorn England has had in her side for
centuries has been Ireland Not only has that island
given Great Britain trouble in various ways, but the
treatment to which the Irish have been subjected has
done more than anything else to ALLEVIATE from the Brit
ish the friendly feeling of berty-oving people in all
parts of the world.
Possibly one of the chief of the dissatisfac
ton in Ireland has been the system OF landlordism
which has prevailed there. The peasantry were at
tached to the estates from practical standpoint
much in the nature of serfs The great proprietors
would not sell off their lands, would wiring from their
tenants the last possible farhng in rents and spend
their incomes in luxurious living in London the
continent The land league agitation resulted in acts
that were designed to correct these evils, but 1t
charged at the time that those whose duty would be
to interpret and enforce these laws would violate their
spirit and render them virtually nugatory results
This has largely been the case, and "landlordsm has
SO maintained its grip Ireland that the king
is forced to incorporate his first speech from the
throne suggestion of remedial legislation
This significant reference in King Edwards speech
is one of the most important contained in It, II looks
to measure which will better secure sales by the land
lords to their tenants than any preceding is
recognition of the continued existence of outrageous
system. If England would wipe out the evils and
abuses of landlordism in Ireland, would enable the
tenants to become the of little and in
spire In that way the population with hopes,
greater dignity and greater freedom Ireland with it's
salubrous climate its rich soil and it's industrious peo
pie, would soon become of the most fruitful and
wealthy territories under the crown. Add to such a
condition of popular proprietorship of the soil the
important and vital features of selfgovernment or
home rule, and Ireland would forget her past
wrongs and possibly become happy and contented
division of the British empire
1t is hopeful sign that King Edward has seen the
necessity of saying much he did say on this
subject although 1t falls short what the Irish con-
tingent In parliament demanding. But justice can
not be denied forever in this enlightened age.
The discussion Of this question shows again how
courts can negative the intention of lawmakers The
land laws passed for Ireands benefit have actually
been interpreted in way to sustain landlordism! The
judges of the courts have not sympathy with
the laws, nor OF Ireands choosing We are prepared
already in this country to understand this Our own
National judiciary has been virtually multiplying many
OF our important laws by forced interpretations con
trary to the spirit OF the law
If England would only do justice to Ireland she
would find international sentiment greatly improved
toward her. This is age when she can not afford
TO maintain the intolerance of or three centuries
ago And the question, in this connection suggests it.
self to this Naton-can afford to create another
Ireland in the Philippines or Cuba?