The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-03-25
BRIGHT FOR ERIN.
Secretary for Ireland Intro
duces the Land Bill.
1t Proposes a Free Grant of
100000, 900.
KEEN INTEREST FELT.
All the Galleries of the House
We're Filled.
Mr.. Wyndham Was Cheered
When He Arose to Speak.

w uOA llC x&AOSC GV y UCAAe
London, March 25.-The Irish secre-
tary. Mr.. Wyndham. introduced the
governments long anticipated Irish
land bill in the house of commons to-
day. 1t proposes a free grant of $780, .00o,-
600 for the purposes of the bill. The
keen interest felt in this new legislation,
which 1t is hoped will promote peace
and contentment in Ireland. was evil
denced by the crowded house.
The peers galleries and the distin-
guished strangers gallery were filed
and there has been no such gathering
of members of parliament since the op-
ening of the session. Michael Davitt,
the father of the land league, celebra-
ted his 57th birthday by. reentering the
house for the first time since he ceased
to be member in order to hear the
chief secretary for Ireland unfold his
plans.
Mr. Wyndham, who was heartily
cheered when he rose to speak, an
nOunced at the outset that the govern
hment thought cash aid was necessary
for the fulfillment of the proposed
scheme. but it attached greater inn
portance to the credit operation than
to the cash operation lie then unfold
ed the scheme. which provides for adj
land by the tenants. The advances viii
be in the shape of cash and not of stock.
but in order to enable the cash to be
raised d new stock is to be fioated.
It viii be called guaranteed "a per
cent. stock and will be unredeema bic
for thirty years.
Mr.. Wyndham doubted if $500, 100000
of the stock would be needed. It will
be issued at the rate of $25, 600, 600 year
ly for the first three years and after
ward possibly in larger sums. In ad-
ditiOn to this the government proposed
a free grant of $50 900 600 to be raised
by additions to the stock the interest
and sinking fund of which will be borne
by the treasury, and the maximum an
nual charge of which will not exceed
81 $50 900. Again this charge on this
British treasury the Irish government
proposes forthwith to commence reduc-
tions in the cost of administration
ever.
Proceeding MI. Wyndham dealt with
the points Of the bill. which contains
q beWildering mass of figures showing
how advances would be made and the
terms Of repayment, but it seems in the
main to be on the lines laid down by
the land conference report and Will be
satisfactory to the landlords and ten
ants In the course of his speech, which
was punctuated with cheers Mr. Wynd-
ham said the landlords of Ireland were
being ruined financially and that the
tenants were being ruined morally and
the taxpayers of England were paying
100000 per annum to the land commits
sion and $1,000, 900 to the Irish police
which largely was needed to deal with
lllegalities arising from the land ques-
ton
Is it remarkable under those circum-
stances asked the Irish secretary If
the landlords and tenants come to-
gether?''
Mr- Wyndham did not think any re-
sondite or yelled reasons need be looked
FOR Past experience showed the state
incurred no risk in giving such aid
From the taxpayers viewpoint it was
stated that aid for the land purchase
was safe commercial transaction BY
the aid of the state $4,000 tenants had
already bought their holdings and the
state had not lost a half 0ennv Pub
lie opinion supported repa vrnent and
this was high moral security besides
itself
Mr.. Wyndham also said that the num-
Der OF anomalies which had tn he dealt
with rendered the work most enobar-
RAISING. complicated, and very difficult
TO present to the house in an intelligibIe
manner. Ihe state of things in some
parts of Ireland was such as could
scarcely be believed in England
He 1nStanced one village in which a
landlord was in the workhouse during
the greater part of the year. while the
tenants lived under conditions worse
than those of the kaffirs of Africa
What the government proposed to do
to remedy this state of affairs was
rights, it contemplated that the pur-
chase of land in the future should pro
ceed by the sale of estates under three
commissioners. Michael Finucane un-
der secretary in the statistical depart
Tnent; Frederick Brent and w E.
Bailey The commissioners who will be
known as estate commissioners will be
under the general control of the lord
lieutenant of ireland. These are en-
powered to decide what constitutes an
estate, which does not necessarily mean
the entire property owned by the ven
der as considerable portion thereof
may remain in his hands. The COM
nissioners may refuse to sanction the
sale OF poor holdings unless there are
reasonable facilities for their enlarge
ment, where necessary and for ade-
quate access to turf as fuel
Mr.. WYndham proceeded saying that in
view of the strong recorurnenda ton of the
recent land conference the government mad
provided that the landlords might ma Ike
their own arrangements wit hthe tenants
If they tailed with the policy of the pres
ent bill which instead of expatriatfng the
landlords as stated in some quarters
would. he hoped. enable them to remain
in the country. The government thought
the period for repayment Of all loans
should be 6Sia wears. There were strenn-
Gus provisions against subdividing mort
cages on holdings
In conclusion Mr.. Wndham said he was
sure the landlords and tenants would ccn-
tinue to act in the reasonable spirit which
actuated the conference There were two
could prolong for another $50 years the
present tragedy in Ireland they could
now Initiate and henceforth prosecute
business transaction occupying some Is
years. based on self-esteeu. probity and
mutual good will of all concerned.
Mr. Wyndham finished speaking at 4.1e
p m Later the Irish land bill passed its
first reading.