The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1903-04-02
AN IRISH LAND BILL
A Measure Introduced That Will Be
of Vast Benefit
PROPOSES A LARGE MONEY GRANT.
The Irish Secretary Introduces the
Government Land Bill Into British
House of Commons.

London, BY Cablt--The Irish Secre-
tary. Mr.. Wyndhum. introduced the
governments long-anticipated Irish
land bill in the House of Commons
Wednesday afternoon. 1t proposes a
grant Of $50 900 GOO for the purposes
Of the bill. Tenants arc to pay 3M per
cent. interest on loans from the gov
crnmcnt. Mr. Wyndham said he
thought the scheme would not involve
over 10000 coo, but that $3.50, 900
could be safely advanced on Irish land.
Advances to tenants are limited to ST.
hoo III the ronGcStcd districts and S.
o00 elsewhere. The bill also provides
that nntenantcd farms and grazing
land shall be sold to ncighboring ten
ants and that three commissioners to
De known as estate commissioners shall
supervise the sales. The name Of the
three commissioners arc Michncl Fin
aunc, secretary 20 the governments
Bengal general and statistical depart
mcnt: Frederick $. French, one OF tho
Irish land commissioners. and William
t., Bailey, one Of the assistant commits
sioncrS on the Irish land commission.
They will be under the general control
Of the Lord Lieutenant OF Ireland.
They will become effective November
1st.
The keen interest felt in this now
legislation, which 1t is hoped will pro-
mote peace and contentment in Ire
land, was shown Dy the crowded House.
The peers gallery and the distinguish
ed strangers gallery were filled and
there has been no such gathering Of
members Of Parliament since the OPEN
ing Of the session. In the diplomatic
gallery sat United States Secretary
Henry 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
commons entrance to the doors Of tho
lobby, were packed with impatient
Irishmcn, among whom were many
presidents. Most Of these went away
without even seeing the inside Of the
legislative chamber. the galleries Of
which were crowded as has not been
the case for many day. Michael
Davltt, the father" Of the Land
League, celebrated his 57th birthday by
since he ceased to be a member, in Or
der to hear the Chief Secretary for Ire
land unfold his plans.
For the most part the Liberal men,
bcrs sat glum. the applause coming
Iric
pcctation fell on the assembly as John
Redmond, the Irish leader, rose to
speak. If he refused to countcnance
the Dill. it's death and perhaps even
the governments downfall, was de-
creed. When the galleries of the House
found him sympathetic and nOn-com-
initial. feeling OF relief pervaded all
sides. What Sir Henry Campbell
Banncrman, the Liberal leader, and the
others said had little effect IT. w.
Russell, who with others criticised the
details and various omissions in Mr..
Wyandham's plan, wound I'D with a
cultural and reluctant admission that
1T is great BILL
the bill was followed by the rush to
the lobby. where ensued scenes that
might we'll make the ghost Of ParnelI
turn In his grave. The tall form of
Lord Dudley, Lord Lieutenant Of Ire
land. could be seen amidst a crowd of
Natlonallsts, who scarcely year ago
would rather have suffered anything
than discussed with the official head Of
the Irish party any question. Beside
Lord Dudley stood the griZzled little
Sir Anthony Mcdonnell. the First Ma
tional Assistant Irish Secretary.
Mr.. Wyandham, who was heartily
cheered when he arose to speak In the
House, announced at the outset that
the government thought cash aid was
necessary for the fuliillment Of the pro-
posed scheme, but it attached greater
Importance to the credit operation
than to the cash operation. He then
unfolded the scheme, which provides
Ior advances OF money for the pur-
chasc or land by the tenants. The ad-
Vances Will be in the shape Of cash and
not or stock, but in order to enable
inc cash 10 be raised new stock Is to
oe noated. 1T Will be called "guaran-
teed' 2M per cent stock and will be
redcemable for 80 years. Mr.. WIND
ham doubted If $500, 900, 900 of the stock
would be needed. 1t will be issued at
the rate Of $25,000O0 yearly for the
nrst three years and afterwards possi-
Dly IN larger SUMS. In addition to this
| the government proposed free grant
| or $oo,000,OO to be sascd by additions
TO the stock, the interest and sinking
1und which will be borne by the
] treasury, and the maximum annual
| charge Of which will not exceed ST.
95o, 600. Against this charge on the
British Treasury the Irish government
proposes forthwith to commence re-
auctions in the cost of administration
amounting to $1,250,OOO per annum for
| ever.