Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-26
Rtt GRANT OF SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS
Government Will Give Buying Tenant,
Large Measure Of Aid
GIGANTIC LOAN ALSO CONTEMPLATED
Five Hundred Million Dollars to Be Bor.
rOwed and Lent to Erin.
NATloNALIsTs SUSPEND JUDGMENT
Recognise Fairness of Proposal Made
but wish to Examine Details
Before TenderinE Final
support to ministry.

LONDON, March 25.-The Irish secre-
tary. Mr. Wyndham, introduced the gov
ernments ong-anticipated Irish land bill
in the House Of Commons today. 1t pro-
poses a free grant Of $50 900 900 for the
purposes OF the bill
The keen interest felt in this new legis-
lation, which. It is hoped. will promote
peace and contentment in Ireland. was
evidenced by the crowded house. The
peers gallery aud distinguished strangers
gallery were filled, and there has not been
such gathering Of members Of parlia-
ment since the opening OF the session.
Michael Davitt, the father Of the land
league, celebrated his hfty-seventh birth
day BY re-entering the house for the first
time since he ceased to be a member, in
order TO hear the chief secretary for Ire
land unfold his plans.
Mr.. Wyndham who was heartily cheered
when he rose to speak, announced at the
outset that the government thought cash
aid was necessary for the fulhllment Of
the proposed scheme but Il attached
greater Importance to the credit opera
tion than to the cash operation.
He then unfolded the scheme which pro-
vides for advances Of money for the pur-
chase Of land by the tenants. The ad-
vances will be in the shape Of cash and not
OF stock, but in order to enable the cash
to be raised new stock is to be foated.
Credit More Important Than Cash.
1t will be called guaranteed "a stock
and will be unredeemable for thirty years,
and borrowing tenants will be charged 3h
per cent
Mr.. wyndham doubted IL $500, 900, 900 Of
the stock would be needed, though $780,
100000 could be safely advanced on Irish
land. 1t will be issued at the
rate Of s25, 100000 yearly for the
hrst three years and afterward possibly
in larger sums. In addition to this the
government proposed a free grant OF $780,
O00. coo to be raised In addition to the stock.
the interest and sinking fund OF which
would be borne by the treasury, at q maxi
mum annual charge which viii not exceed
1850 600.
Against this charge on the British treas
T ary the Irish government proposes forth
with to commence reductions In the cost
Of administration amounting to 81, $50 900
per annum forever.
Terms of Payment.
Proceeding. Mr.. wyndham dealt with the
points of the bill, which contains a be-
wildering mass OF figures, showing how ad-
Vances would be made and the terms of re-
payment, but It seems in the main to be on
the lines laid down by the land conferences
report and will be satisfactory to the land
lords and tenants.
In the course of his speech, which was
punetuated with cheers, Mr. wyndham said
the landlords Of Ireland were being ruined
financially and that the tenants were beins
ruined morally and the taxpayers of Eng
land were paying $1,000 per annum 20 the
land commission and 81 900 600 to the Irish
police, which largely was needed to deal
with illegalities arising from the lan1 ques-
tion.
Is 1t remarkable under those circum.
stances" asked the secretary. 'if the land.
lords and tenants come togetherT''
Mr.. wyndham did not think any veileI
reasons need be looked for. Past expert
ences showed the state incurred no risk II
giving such aid. From the taxpayers view.
point IL was stated that aid for the laut
purchase was a safe commercial transac
tion. BY the aid OF the state 5000 tenant.
had already bought their holdings and tn,
state had not lost a penny.
Supported by Public opinion.
Public opinion supported repayment, an,
this was high, moral security, beside,
which was the security Of the land itself.
Mr.. Wyndham also said the number O
anomalies which had to be dealt with rem
dered the work most embarrassing. eompIi
Gated and very difieult TO present 10 tn
house in an ineligible manner The stat
OF things in some parts Of Ireland was sucl
as could scarcely be believed in England.
He instanced one village in which a land
lord was In the workhouse during tn
greater part Of the year while the tenant
lived under conditions worse than those O
the Kafhrs OF Africa. What the goyernmep
proposes to do TO remedy this state OF az
fairs was. briefly. while Withdrawing no ex
isting rights, II contemplated that the pur
chase OF land In the future should procee
by the sale OF estates, under three commits
sioners, Michael Finicane. secretary to gov
ernment Of Bengal revenue, general an
statistical department; Frederick S
Wrench. now one OF the Irish land commits
sioners. and William F. Bailey. forme
assistant commissioner on the Irish Ian
commission
Power OF the COmmissiOners.
The commissioners are empowered I
decide what constitutes an estate. uhie
does not necessarily mean the entire prop
erty owned By the Vender. as a eonsid
cradle portion thereof may remain in hi
hands. The commissioners may refuse I
sanction the sale OF poor holdings unles
there are reasonable facilities for thel
enlargement where necessary, and 10
Mr.. wyndham proceeded. saying that I
view OF the strong recommendation Of n
recent land conference the governmen
had provided that the landlords Nigh
make their own arrangements with IN
tenants II they Tailed with the policy
the present bill. which instead OF e1
ratriating the landlords. as stated 1
some quarters. would he hoped. enabl
them to remain In the country.
The government thought the period fC
repayment OF all loans should be sixty
eight and one-half years. These wei
strenuous provisions against subdividln
mortgages on holdings.
In conclusion. Mr.. Wyndham said he vi
sure the landlords aud tenants would cor
tinue 70 act in the reasonable spirit whic
actuated the conference. There were tN
alternatives before the country. The
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