Arizona republican., 1902-10-16
In r1os.baok England.

In rfossback En gland. Every now and then some dyspeptic American tells us that England is a more democratic country than ours" Ind doubtless some people are disposed 10 believe it. It would be impossible, however, for the great parties in the United States to divide on the issue of free. non-sectarian schools. And yet, the question of sectarian or non-sec- tartan schools has all at once become bigger subject in England than were any of the issues raised by tie Boer war. The conservative, or unionist, party has been so long in power, and the faction-tern liberals have been in ] hopeless minority for so many years. that the new Balfour government prob lbly had little idea that its education bill could bring the forgotten liberals into control. And it is evident that great reliance is placed upon the un- popularity of the liberal party, when it is noted that the government leaders threaten to force the country into general election with its attendant dangers of a liberal victory, should parliament fail to accept the terms of the sectarian school bill.
 Should the government be defeated on this (the education) bill" said Mir. Chamberlain in his speech to the lib- eral unionists at Birmingham, ''it would resign. Mark that" he contin- led, and remember the consequences.'' This is the ultimatum presented by the ministry to the electors of Great Brit ain and the unionist members of Par lament who have shown signs of bend ing before the storm of popular opposi- ton which has been aroused by the ec- clesiastical features of the bill in ques- ton. It is proposed to distribute the educational grants of the government and the local tax approximately be- tween the board schools and the parish 'chools. The measure further provides that the primary system Of education shall hereafter be managed by commit tees. which would displace the existing -chool boards and which would be practically in control of clerical nom inees.
 The bill. in fact. would decide the issue between those who favor denom- national schools and those who would secularize the educational system in 'avor Of the former. In effect the pol tical struggle precipitated by the edu- cation bill in Great Britain is curiously like that raised in France by the law of associations, with the difference that he ministries Of the two countries have taken opposite sides-the British gov ernment supporting the church schools md the French opposing them and dosing them. The non-comformists in England vow to resist the payment of rates that would be used in support Of the educational institutions of the es- tablished church, and 90 bitter has the controversy become that many former liberals who have joined the unionists tild tfCAl SOlilt Ol lHt CJI- Tervatives are likely to go over to the opposition when this bill shall be brought to vote in the house of com mons
 The position of the Irish members is curious. Although the measure would savor the Roman Catholic primary schools in their country equally with those of the church of England the naticnalists are prepared to vote against the bill if thereby they can compass the defeat of the government The die is now cast and it will soon be discovered which of two evils par liament regards as the greater-the in- definite pOstponement of the estab- lishment of a system of free and pure ly secular common schools or the re- turn to power of the "disunionists'' or home rulers, pro Boers" and little Englanders," by which epithets Mir Chamberlain described the liberals.