Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-30

close student Of American journalism.
which was radical departure in those
Gays though subsequently English publ
/ cations have also fallen into Initiating the
! American press / think the influence OF
/ American newspaper on English jour-
nalism has been almost revolutionary.
BECOMING AN m. p
My becoming a member OF Parliament
was practically matter of chance. One
| of my best friends had resigned the seat
asked me to take his place. I was well
known in Galway, having spent my
boyhood there, and had made a num-
Der OF srceches there In debates and
| things of that sore. Ny Life of Lord
Beaconsfleld" had also contributed to a
better knowledge of me in my native
| land.
At the same time, I encountered a
IRENE, dous amount Of opposition from the
wealthy class. and my seat was not easily
won. In the first place, the expenses Of
the election-some thing like s1000-fell
heavily upon me-
'l'hc .:!7erjffs fees hail 10 be paid, and |
| had no money. | managed - raise :, small
amount of money from my Beaconsfeid
book in the way Of an advance; and the
seat was wen through sheer force of
speech-making. In those days-1SS0-thing
Were Very different from what they are
nnI
A ,nenbtr Of Parliament TO: Ireland to-
day. if tic las net the money fer his cleo
tlrn. is taken care of by the Tn't'.i 1r:sh
League. and uls expenses ara DIR ,yed
from, the parliamentary funds of that
body. An election costs about s1.000.
LI, this topic wish to say one tihEg
Dad III tlnpf:. size il. member a. l;r-
lament from ireland always os'S 1:''1sv
i,y his I.,Slii,:n. the returns btIns Vary
s,...,t. compared to what man ellL.,4,sn-
1,t,Civ sud ! ~,
sources Of revenue. There are many gro
tesquc lies going about circulated to the
effect that Irish members are in Parlia-
ment for what they make out Of It, This
is far from D,ins the case.
LANDLORDS ARE DIVIDED.
Speaking broadly on the Irish question,
will say this:
The condition. of Ireland is to-day very
healthy. In the first place, we have
united Ireland; and. secondly, q great
movement is beginning in the United
States.
If the whole Irish race stands together
think the questions which have for
centuries Teen disturbing Ireland will soon
be settled once and for all.
The United Irish League Is one Of the
most powerful organizations in existence
far more powerful than the Land Lea
que. There is a concerted and determined
action on the part Of all who wish TO
see the Irish question settled, and lana
bill is already promised for next session
which will. think, bring the long-stand-
Ing land troubles to an end
The landlords are divided against them
selves, and the level-headed men among
them are already more than anxious TO
come 10 an understanding with their ten
ants.
The settlement Of the land question will
remove the greatest obstacle IN the way
Of home rule in Ireland.
There is one important factor which
may play part in the ultimate removal
of all of lreland's difficulties. The inf1u-
ence of the President of the United States.
When reform gets to a certain point II
requires just breath to bring down the
old tyranny; just as it requires but
oreath-a voice-to bring down an ava
lanche. If. at the psychological moment
of the Irish question: some person IKE
President Roosevelt says the word. the
thing will be accomplished. OF course
/ do not know VINO will be President OF
the United States when the Irish ques-
ton reaches this crucial point, but that
.oes not affect my argument.
POWER OF AMERICAN INFLUENCE.
American influence on English opinion Is
very powerful, and is growing in strength
every year. A few years ago counsel from
American would have been scorntully re-
jected. To-day it is 10 'Ii.as fl, an acted
upon, and the day is coming when the
voice of America will be regarded as the
most powerful Of wise counsellocs.
1t is this position Of America in Eng
lish thought to-day which will explain
the anxiety Of Irish members to receive
some message of sympathy from the
President of the United States. even
though that message were expressed more
or less formal terms.
AS to the attitude of King Edward, J
know nothing of his personal views: but
1 am told the King is not unfavorable TO
Ire and. He is shrewd. enough to see the
enormous Importance Of Ireland to MS
country and mis- ~ynas,y, and there is no
one more anxious than he to accomplish
the reconciliation OF that country
When he went to Ireland some years
ago, he received hostile reception that
brought home to him the reality and
depth of Irish discomfort. 1t shattered
the tissue of gossamer lies built up by
the press Of London TO the effect that
with exception Of the paid agitators. the
Irish people were contented and loyal.
For these reasons. I believe that. were
the conditions favorable King Edward
would say to his ministers that the time
had come for closing this conflict forever
"a conflict destructive to England as we'll
as to Ireland.
AS to the present system Of coercion
used by this government In ireland. such
as =plank beds. DreaQ ana water, ana udIu
labor for political prisoners. 1t is wan
ton misapplication of power and dis
grace to this country. | think the gov
eminent is quickly realizing its mistake.
HE SCORES MR.. BAFOUR.
In regard to Mr.. Balfour. as well as
Mr. Wyndham, secretary for Ireland !
think the conduct of both in the matter
of coercion Is disgraceful and unmanly:
but, at the same time. I think both are
ready to deal with the Irish land cues
ton in a large spirit. I think both OF
them f.'!ly understand RI. it's! ana
that they will work together for It's set
tlenent at the next session.
Looking at the government of this coun-
try * it stands TO LAY. /" nv ..r'i''n II
presents to all Democrats the alarming
spectacle Of the breaking down OF repre-
sentative institutions. think the Irish
question is very largely responsible for
such condition. The Irish party in the
House of Commons are almost impotent
for good; while, at the same time, they
can work a tremendous amount OF mis-
chief The government machine is great
huge, cumbersome piece Of mechanism.
AM I'll an Irish member has to- 40 to
bring it to standstll is to put little
sa nd in it now and then.
The remedy consists in adopting the
United States system-a complete separ-
alton of local and national affairs. When
that is accomplished. we can hope foi
real government that is truly representa-,
tive. think, however. that there exists
o1r