Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-04-02
AN IRISH LAND BILL.
Irish Secretary Introduces II into
House Of Commons
WHAT THE BILL PROPOSES TO DO.
The Passage Of the First Reading Of ths
BILL Followed by Scenes Enough to
Make Parneli Turn in his

London, March 26.--The Irish SEQ
Rotary, Mr.. Wyndham, introduced the
governments long-anticipated Irish
land bill in the house of commons
yesterday afternoon. 1t proposes a
free grant of $60,0o0,0OO for the pur-
poses of the bill. Tenants are to pay
81 per cent. interest ON loans from
the government. Mr.. Wyndham said
he thought the scheme would not in
volye $5OO,OO0,0OO, but that $760, 0O0,-
600 could safely be advanced on Irish
land. The advances to tenants are
limited to $500 in congested districts
and $4,000 elsewhere. The bill also
provides that untenanted farms and
grazing lands shall be sold to neigh
boring tenants and that three COM
missioners, to be known as estate
commissioners, shall supervise the
sales. The names of the three COM
missioners are Michael Finucane,
secretary to the government of Ben
gal revenue, general and statistical
department; Frederick s. Wrench,
now one of the Irish land commits
sioners, and William F. Bailey, one of
the assistant commissioners on the
Irish land question. They will be
under the control Of the lord lieu
tenant Of ireland. The bill will be-
come effective November IL.
The keen interest felt in this new
legislation, which, it is hoped, will
promote peace and contentment in
Ireland, was shown by the crowded
house. From an early hour yester-
day morning the stone bench from
the house Of commons entrance to
the doors Of the lobby were packed
with impatient Irishmen, among
whom were many priests. Most of
these went away without seeing even
the inside of the Legislative chamber,
the galleries of which were crowded
MS has not been the case for many
a day. Michael Davitt, the "father"
Of the land league, celebrated his
fifty-seventh birthday by re-entering
the house for the first time since he
ceased to be member, in order to
hear the chief secretary for Ireland
unfold his plans.
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 Par
nell turn in his grave. The duke Of
Abercorn, the most powerful land
lord in Ireland, asked to be intro
duced to John Redmond, and a mu-
tual friend brought the duke to the
leaddei of the nationalist party, with
leader Of the Irish land
lords heartily shook hands, and they
patched up the peace of Ireland over
the house of commons refreshment
bar.
Earl Dunraven, who, with John
Redmond, shouldered the greatest
responsibility for yesterdays pro-
sedure, slipped out quietly to avoid
He said to the As
ISOLATED press correspondent:
81 believe the bill will meet the
of all parties. Though
have not had chance to read them
md cannot speak definitely concern
ng the details of the measure, it
loes certainly seem as though new
,ra was dawning on new Ireland.
Mr.. Wyndham to great extent has
ollowed the lines of our conference.
think that landlords and tenants,
With perhaps some Slight amend
nents, win he able to agree to the
main principles Of the bill"
John Redmond said he was unable
o add anything to his utterances in
he house. but he seemed in quite
Iopeful mood. Various members of
is party, however, frankly discussed
Ir. Wyndham's plan. The omission
I adequate provision for those ten
nts already evicted, doubts whether
he landlords would accede to the
erms Of the measure and objections
o the choice of Mr.. Wrench as one
Z the three estate commissioners
eem to be the chief difficulties, but
II the nationalist members appeared
o be agreed that the bill went far
her towards putting Ireland on a
basis than any before
Introduced, especially as the system
to be administered on a CONNER
lal rather than on a judicial basis.
hitherto. all the land acts have come
nder the Interpretation of the
ldges, whose decisions could not be
The only skeleton at
his political love feast was Michael
Iavitt, who from the public gallery,
loot from his former comrades, lis.
ened to proposals which opposed all
4. .......s. aaaoIa