New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-08-11
LIGHT FROM YORKSHIRE
PRIVATE JUDGMENT RECLAIMED WITH
PEACE IN AFRICA-AN ELECTION
WHICH DISCLOSES THE TREND OF
ENGLISH PUBLIC OPINION.
London. JulV 20.


and the bye-electons would have gone against
IT by the natural process of political reaction
during the last three years If the country had
not been impressed with the necessity of sup
porting il in time of war. The force of patriotic
obligation was intensified by pro-Boer agitation
and Liberal dissensions. The government of the
day was supported by the electors because the
attitude of the Opposition. or, at least of an in
fuential faction of ii, was more or less eouivo-
cal on the question of seeing the war through
With the return Of peace there is no longer any
sense of public responsibility for moral support
of the soldiers fighting on the veldt. A govern
nent defeat cannot be misinterpreted either in
South Africa or in Europe as a sign of weak
ness or irresolution in campaign for the de-
fence Of the empire. Electors at liberty TO
express their discomfort with prevailing fem
denotes in the administration, to exercise their
critical functions and TO emphasize their griev-
ences. The result in North Leeds is the con-
version OF minority of 2,517 into majority of
75S-one Of the most remarkable reversals of
Judgment in the recent political history of the
United Kingdom Walthamstow in 1897 was
great Liberal victory. when Tory majority of
1858 was transferred into a majority of 271 for
the labor candidate Mr.. Woods; but the result
in the West Riding Of Yorkshire is even larger
and more significant. II is so overwhelming a
triumph for the Opposition that the question of
popularity and strength of rival candidates is
irrelevant and the result is most comprehen-
sively explained as one Of the consequences of
peace in South Africa
The Education bill was prominent issue in
the successful canvass Of Mr.. Barran against
Sir Arthur Lawson. and without doubt strongly
Influenced the result. The Nonconformist vote
which was divided between parties in the gen.
eral election two years ago. was cast solidly for
the Liberal Leeds is a stronghold of Wesleyan
ism and Mr.. Balfour's compromise school meas
ure, for which autumn session of Parliament
has been decreed, has been condemned by a
typical urban and Industrial constituency in the
North This is one of the differences drawn by
the Opposition benches in the Commons and 1t
is logical one Irish Home Rule was not dis
cussed by the candidates. nor was there any
revival Of controversies over the Boer war. The
Irish electors were instructed by their Parlia-
mentary guides to abstain from voting and
their influence was not felt. There a
union OF Liberal voters. who had been divided
since Mr.. Gladstone's conversion to Irish Home
Rule The Liberal Unionists, who had followed
Mr.. Chamberlain's leadership revolted against
an educational policy of futile compromises.
tending TO perpetuate sectarian differences, to
dispense with efficient and well organized school
boards and to increase the burdens of taxpayers
without arming them with full resources of ad-
ninistrative control. The North Leeds election
dscoses Enthusiastically the hostility of Non
conformists and other influential classes to
compromise measure which threatens to
settle the educational practice OF the country
and TO relight the fires Of religious controversy.
It is also an indication that soon as the
Irish question is dismissed as dead issue of the
Gladstonian period the Liberals who deserted
their great leader will return naturally to their
oldtne political associations.
The grain registration duties also entered into
the Liberal canvass. The government was
charged with abandoning the principles of free
trade and with adopting a policy tending to
increase the cost Of living in industrial centres
The big Liberal and Cobdenite loaf was con-
trasted argumentatively with the diminishing
Tory loaf and there were freehand illustra-
lions Of the staff Of life on the walls and in
election circulars. indicating that the working
class had suffered materially from the taxation
Of bread since the introduction of the last
Budget Neither arguments nor illustrations
were conclusive to thoughtful men, but appar-
emily the electors were influenced by them; and
the result Of the poll was a proof that even
SO slight measure the temporary reimpo-
sition Of registration duties on grain and flour
es q war tax was resented by working people
It helped TO bring the Liberal Unionists and
the Liberals together again in a representative
working community and was a warning that
lnS widening OF the area OI lHulSII IdAc1tAoi4
could not be effected without reaction in
favor Of the Opposition and a prolonged party
struggle Sir Robert Giffen and the leader
writers Of The Times may demonstrate the
inequality and lack Of proportion in the incl
dence Of direct and indirect taxation in the
present fiscal system; and Mr.. Chamberlain
and other broad minded statesmen may be
eager to take up imperial federation on the
business side and to work out a solution Of the
problem by means of preferential tariffs and
zollyereins; but the working masses are in re-
volt as soon as any transfer of burdens from
income tax payers 70 the main body OF con-
sunlers is proposed
The Education bill and the Bread tax were the
conspicuous issues in this significant election;
but an increase Of 2,544 in the Liberal poll and
a shrinkage Of S31 in the Conservative vote
cannot be fully explained by changes of pub
lie opinion based exclusively upon them. Silent
votes Of protest and resentment must have
been recorded on many public questions and
electors were at liberty to pass judgment upon
the government OF the day because there was
10 longer any risk of rnisinterpretation Of their
action in South Africa or on the Continent. The
war had ended and they could exercise private
judgment without reproaching themselves for
lack Of patriotism and public spirit. The Bal
four administration has received in this way q
timely warning that it cannot live on the memo
res and obligations Of the war period, but
must command public support by taking up
questions Of the day in a practical and en-
lghtened spirit. What has happened in YORK
shire is likely to occur in other bye-eections
Whether the educational bill or the grain regis
ration duties are more or less conspicuous Is
immaterial Freedom of judgment has been re-
gained by the close of hostilities in South
Africa and protests long repressed over the
lack OF administrative efficiency and other ten