The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-26
TO PLACATE ERIN.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.

NOO4N1LObED NUN irNc ASE<.t
appeared to be agreed that the bill went
1arther towards putting Ireland on pros
porous basis than any before introduced,
especially as the system is to be admins
tered on a commercial rather than on
judicial basis. Hitherto all the land acts
have come under the Interpretation or the
judges, whose decisions could not be ques-
toned. The only skeleton at this political
love feast was Michael Davitt, who, from
the public gallery. aloof from his former
comrades, listened 10 proposals which op-
posed all his economic ideals.
Several Conservative members expressed
to the correspondent their anxiety at the
governments going more deeply into debt.
but the general opinion was that the end
said: Many among us think that the gov
eminent has hard enough financial job on
its hands already, but I'm the face OF the de-
mand from both Irish parties we can
lem which has been such a serious thorn
for so long a time. i think you will md
that the government will have solid ma
Jority when the bill is voted.
WYNDHAMS SPEECH.
Mr.. Wyndham. who was heartily cheered
when he arose to speak. announced at the
outset that the government thought cash
aid was necessary for the fulfillment of the
proposed scheme, but it attached greater
Importance to the credit operation than to
the cash operation. He then unfolded the
scheme. which provides for advances OF
money for the purchase of land by the ten
ants. The advance will be in the shape Of
cash and not of stock, but in order to en-
able the cash to be raised new stock is to
be floated. 1t will be called guaranteed 2s4
per cent stock" and will be unredeemable
for thirty years.
Mr.. Wyndham doubted If $500, 0O0, 900 of the
the rate of 900 yearly for the first
three years and afterwards possibly in
larger sums.
In addition to this the government pro-
posed a free grant of $50. 900, 900, to be raised
by additions to the stock the interest and
sinking fund of which will be borne by the
treasury, and the maximum annual charge
of which will not exceed 81, 950,000. Against
this charge on the British treasury the
Irish government proposes forthwith to
commence reductions in the cost OF admin
istration amounting to $1.250.000 per annum
forever.
Proceeding, Mr. Wyndham dwelt with the
points of the bill, which contains a bewil-
dering mass of figures showing how adj
vances would be made and the terms Of re-
payment, but ii seems in the main to be on
the lines laid down by the land conference
report and will be satisfactory to the land
lords and tenants.
In the course OF his speech, which was
punctured by cheers. Mr.. Wyndham said
the landlords Of Ireland were being ruined
financially and that the tenants were being
ruined morally and the taxpayers of Eng
land were paying 1000 per annum to the
land commission and $7,000,000 to the chief
with illegaIities arising from the land ques-
ton. rs ii remarkable, under these cir
cumstances." asked the Irish secretary. IF
the landlords and tenants come together?"
NO YELLED REASONS.
Mr.. Wyndham did not think any recon-
dite or yelled reasons need be looked for.
Past experience showed the state incurred
no risk in giving such aid From the tax
payers viewpoint it was stated that aid
for land purchase was safe commercial
transaction. BY the aid of the state $1,000
tenants had already bought their holdings.
and the state had not lost half-penny.
Public opinion supported repayment, and
this was high, moral security, besides which
was the security of the land itself.
Mr.. Wyndham also said that the number
of anomalies which had to be dealt with
pcated a 1 ver cut to to
House in an ineligible manner. The state
OF things In some parts of ireland was
such as could scarcely be believed in Eng
land. he instances one village In which q
landlord was in the workhouse during the
greater part of the year, while the ten
ants lived under conditions worse than
those of the Kaffirs of Africa. What the
government proposed to do to remedy this
state of affairs was, briefly, while with
drawing no existing rights. 1t contemplated
that the purchase of land in the future
should proceed by the sale of estates under
three Observation-Disclosures Finucane,
secretary to government OF Bengal rev.
| epue, general and statistical department;
Frederick S. Wrench. now one of the Irish
land commissioners, and William f. Bayley,
an assistant Irish land commissioner on
the Irish land commission. The commits
sioners, who will be known as the estates
| commissioners, will be under the general
control of the lord lieutenant of Ireland
| They are empowered to decide what con-
stitutes an estate, which does not neces-
sarily mean the entire property owned by
the vender, as considerable portion there
of may remain in his hands. The commits
| poor holdings unless there are reasonable
| facilities for their enlargement, where
| necessary, and for adequate access to turf
| Mr. Wyndham proceeded, saying that in
| view of the strong recommendation of the
recent land conference the government had
provided that the landlords might make
| their own arrangements with the tenants
| if they tailed with the policy of the pres
| ent bill. which. instead of expatriating the
landlords. as stated In some quarters
I would, he hoped. enable them to remain in
| the country. The government thought the
period for repayment of all loans should
| be sixty-eight and one-half years. There
were strenuous provisions against subdi-
viding mortgages of holdings.
TWO ALTERNATIVES.
| In conclusion Mr.. Wyndham said he was
sure the landlords and tenants would con.
| tinue TO act in the reasonable spirit which
| actuated the conference. There were two
alternatives before the country. They
could prolong for $50 years the present
| tragedy in Ireland. or they could now mi.
| tiate and henceforth prosecute business
| transaction occupying some fifteen years
1 based on self-esteem, probity and mutua
| good will of all concerned. Mr.. Wynd.
| ham finished speaking at 4:1o p. m.
John Redmond, the Irish leader, followed
1 Mr.. Wyndham, saying everybody would
admit that the tone and temper of the
secretary's speech showed he realized the
| gravity of the situation in Ireland and tina,
he was anxious to sincerely attempt tC
grapple with 1T. Mr. Redmond deprecated
| hasty Judgment of Mr.. Wyndham's pro-
| posals, either for against them. No one
| could question that the proposals were ar
| enormous advance upon those of last year
| or that they really aimed at settlement
! of the question. He, however, took ex
| ception to the commissioners. especially Mr.
! Wrench If the Irish concluded that the
| bill offered a reasonable hope of settle
ment il would be accepted by them.
/ Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman the Lib
| eral leader. said he would not pass sum
| mary Judgment on the great measure pre-
| sented with so much power. and which
| raised such great issues" but he would
ask for information on certain points, which
he enumerated.
| Mr. UeaIy. Irish Nationalist gave tn,
measure a cordial reception. He suggeste,
| alterations in the direction of the provision
for the distribution OF the free grant
| formed the limit. The government woult
| go no further. The secretary asked that n,
| hasty judgment be passed in Commons.
The bill was then formally introduce,
| end passed its first reading The secon,
| reading was set for April p
H. D,tw. nac lnk,t b. n.