The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-26
The irish Land Bill.

The British government has committed
itself, in the Irish land bill which was
introduced in the house Of commons yes
terday, to formidable amount of taxa
ton for the purpose of settling the Irish
problem. Instead Of $6ooo0o,0oO to be ex-
pended for New Ireland" Mr.. Wynd-,
hams measure, according to the admis-
sion of that gentleman. may cost the gov
ernment as high at $3.50, 900. It will be
worth it, however. if the measure works
in practice as it promises. On It's face
advantageous to the tenants who are bent
upon acquiring their holdings.
The bill provides, as foreshadowed
heretofore, for the purchase, by an estate
commission" appointed by the government,
of estates to improve and sell again to
the people, or the tenants may themselves
make bargains with the landlords, subject
to the approval Of the commission, the
seller to be paid interest on the purchase
money at 31a per cent, and, after a date
named, "a per cent until the claims are
proved and the money paid. The liberal
sum Of $50, 100000 is provided as bonus
for sellers to facilitate transfer, and no
quired-an item of much Importance, as
in the United Kingdom such expenses of
land transfer are very large.
Every facility, apparently, is included in
the bill to crafty the land hunger Of the
people and to induce; the landlords to sell.
The old national cry: .*The soil Of Ire
land for the people OF Ireland would
seem to be in a fair way of qualification.
Yet, while the nationalists admit that
the bill is great step forward, such men
as John Redmond are not enthusiastic,
while complacent, and promise their views
after studying the full text of the bill.
Michael Davitt and r. P. O'Connor think
the bill will give unreasonable compensa-
ton to the landlords, on the ground that
they will stand for prices much above
the real market value. The estate COM
mission will be able to regulate that, how
ever. There would seem little doubt of
it's passage and Of its approval by the Irish
Dublin April IA. =
It is noticeable that the ministry have
had the support Of the nationalist mem
bers Of the commons for some time. They
have several times saved the government
from defeat during the past winter, and
there is no reason to doubt that the Irish
land bill, in its present liberal form, is
the price of their support. There have
been dissensions in the cabinet over the
measure, which some members regarded
as embodying too heavy a pull on the
treasury and imposing too heavy taxation
upon an already overtaxed country; but
the bill has the support Of Mr.. Chamber
lain, the dominant member OF the minis
try. who, when a. member of the liberal
party, favored the most generous treat
mert Of Ireland outside Of restoring the
Irish parliament. Under the existing land
acts, $4,000 tenants have purchased their
holdings at a cost of $115. 5.OO0, 900 and ar
penny in the pound. certainly a good rec
ord for Irish credit. Ss', 4
The nationalists do not propose to drop
their activities for home rule. They have
obtained, through the conservative party,
sufficient amplifications Of Irish autonomy
to make them hunger for more. The
dream of q restored Irish parliament still
jazzles the inaginat tions of many Of the
| Irish leaders. It will never be realized.
good system Of land tenure ought to
have, as it generally does, a conservative
! influence on the Irish mind and diminish
discontent; but this should be accOmpa
nicd by doing away with the policy which
excludes from nearly all the positions (of-
fciaD of ernolument, even in Roman
Catholic counties, of members of that
| communion who are entitled to represen-
tation. The conservative legislation of the
last few years has to some extent RENE
died this injustice, but it still exists to a
discriminating extent, and it's entire re-
moval would contribute greatly to the
"pacification'' Of Ireland. The passage OF
the new land bill will introduce Ireland to
new era of progress. 4 It ought to lead
to the restoration of the Irish industries,
which were destroyed some generations
ago, with the exception of the linen: man.
ufacture, through the insane jealousy OF
English landlords, manufacturers and
merchants. =
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