The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-26
IRISH LAND BILL
PROVES A MAGNET
The House ofCommons Liter
ally Thronged.
WYNDHAM is CHEERED
he UnfoIds His Plans for Aiding The Irish Ten
antry to Purchase Homes---Ihe Bill
Passes its Third Reading in
the House.

(By the Associated Press.)
London, March 25.-The Irish Secre-
tary, Mr.. Wyndham. introduced the gov
ernment's long anticipated Irish Land Bill
in the House of Commons this afternoon
1t proposes a grant of $6O, ,OOO,O 600 for the
purpose of the bill. Tenants are to pay
q per cent interest on loans from the
government. Mr.. Wyndham said he
thought the scheme would not involve
$500, 900, 900 but that $750.000,000 could
safely be advanced on Irish land The
advances to tenants are limited to 81, 500
nj the congested districts, and IS 900 else
where. The bill also provides that unten-
anted farms and grazing lands shall be
sold to neighboring tenants and that
three commissioners to be known as Es-
tate Commissioners shall supervise the
sales. The names OF the three commits
sioners are Michael Finucane, Secretary
to the Government, of Bengal Revenue,
General and Statistical Department;
Frederick S. Wrench, now one of the
Irish Land Commissioners, and William
f. Bailey. one of the assistant commits
sioners on the Irish Land Commission.
They will be under the general control
of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland The
bill will become effective November l.
The keen interest felt in this new legis-
lation, which it is hoped will promote
peace and contentment in Ireland. was
shown by the crowded house. The peers
gallery and the distinguished strangers
gallery were filled and there has been TO
such gathering OF members OF Parliament
since the opening of the session.
In the diplomatic gallery sat United
States Ambassador White, an interested
spectator, while almost every Irish peer
listened to Mr.. Wyndham's exposition
of the bill.
From an early hour this morning the
stone benches from the House of Com
mons entrance to the doors of the lobby
were packed with impatient Irishmen
among them were many priests Most of
these went away without seeing even
the inside of the legislative chamber
the galleries of which were crowded as
has not been teh case for many way.
Michael Davitt, the "e~''--~" of the Land
League, celebrated his fifty seventh
birthday by re-ente-ing the House for
the first time since he ceased to be a
member. in order to hear the chief sec
retary for Ireland, unfold his plans
For the most part the Liberal members
sat glum, the applause coming from the
Irish benches. A hush of expectation
fell on the assembly as John Redmond.
the Irish leader, rose to speak. If he
refused to countenance the bill, its death.
and perhaps even the government down
fall. was decreased. When the galleries
of the House found him sympathetic and
non committal, feeling of relief per-
vaded all sides. What Sir Henry Camp
bell Bannerman, the Lihoral leader, and
the other said had little effect Even
T w Russell. who with others criti-
cised the details and various omissions
in Mr.. Wyndham's plan wound up with
a cultural and reluctant admission that
'it is a great BILL
The passage of the first reading of the
bill was followed by rush to the lobby
where ensued scenes that might well
make the ghost of Barnell turn in his
grave The tall form of Lord Dudley,
Lord Lieutenant of ireland. could be seen
amidst a crowd OF Natonalists. who
scarcely a year ago would rather have
suffered every penalty than associated
with the official head of Irish govern
grizzled little Sir Anthony Mcdonnell,
the first National Assistant Irish Secre-
tary. He it was who drafted the bill.
Horace Plunkett. Lord Iveagh. Lord
Ashbourne and many Unionist members
Joined the group. The Duke of Abercorn
the most powerful landlord in ireland.
asked TO be introduced to John Redmond
and mutual friend brought the Duke
to the leader of the Nationals party with
whom the leader Of the Irish landlords
heartily shook hands. and they patched
up the peace of Ireland over the House
of Commons refreshment bar.
Mr.. Wyndham. who was heartily cheer
ed when he arose to speak in the House.
announced at the outset that the gov
ernment thought cash aid was necessary
for the fulfllment of the proposed
scheme. hut it attached greater impor-
tance 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
tenants. The advances will be in the
shape OF cash and not of stock. but in
order 10 enable the cash to be raised a
new stock is TO be hoated 1t will be
called guaranteed 2% per cent. stock
ana VIII ne unreasonable for 30 years.
Mr.. Wyndham doubted IL $500, 900 600 OF
the stock would be needed 1t will B.,
issued at the rate of SOS. .000. 900 yearly
for the first three years and afterwards
possibly in larger sums. In addition ~
this the government proposed a free
grant OF $50 900. 900 TO be raised by az.
ditions to the stock. the interest and
sinking fund on which will be borne by
the treasury. and the maximum annual
charge of which will not exceed $I,9S0,-