The Irish standard., 1904-03-19
Great Excitement Prevailed When, for the
First Time in Many Years, the
Unionists Were Beaten.
The Times When Gladstone and Parnell
Waged Titanic Struggle in the
Same Arena Recalled.

The government was defeated in the
house of commons last Tuesday by 141
to 13O votes on a motion of John Red
mond, the Irish leader. for Il reduc-
tion of the Irish education estimates.
AS it. was in the nature of Il snap di-
vision, engineered by the Nationalists,
the government refused to resign bur
it was regarded as another straw
showing the direction of the wind.
Mr.. Redmond's. motion was made
with the object of calling attention to
Irish grievances. The division was
taken almost Immediately after the
commencement of the discussion, when
the Liberals and Nationalists were in
strong force. The result was greeted
with great cheering, especially from
the Irish benches. The opposition i'm,
mediatcly moved to report progress.
Premier Balfour opposed the motion.
He admitted amid much lauglter,
| that ii was obvious the government
had been defeated on Il proposal to
reduce a vote for $500. but there was
Il considerable amount of financial
business to be transacted before
March 81. and lie did not see why any
time should be wasted.
Mr.. Balfour added that the honor
able member had succeeded in reduc-
ing the vote for Irish education by
5000, and the government accepted the
opinion of the house on the subject
Mr.. Redmond retorted: I'VE have
defeated the government"
1t was then that Mr.. Redmond NOV
ed to report progress. This was de-
feated by III to Jag votes, the gov
ernment majority being 25. The gov
ernment in the interim had succeeded
in mastering enough Ministerialists to
save the situation, as in the event of
Il second adverse vote the ministers
would have to resign.
The defeat of the government was
the result Of n successful coup plan
ned by Mr.. Redmond and the senior
whip Of the Irish parliamentary par.
ty, Sir Thomas Esmonde, yesterday
afternoon. Seeing a short list of
questions for today and knowing that
the majority Of the house expected
the Irish members to occupy all the
afternoon in discussing Irish educa-
ton, Mr. Redmond and Sir Thomas
decided to force a division after ques-
tion time, when the greater number
Of the government supporters would
still be quietly lunching at their clubs.
The maneuvers succeeded to percec.
ton.
Mr.. Redmond rose, holding large
sheet Of notes in his hand, as il in
tending to make a lengthy speech, but
to the astonishment of all except those
in the secret, the Irish leader spoke
only few words and then sat down,
while his party demanded the division
for which such careful plans had been
laid. A scene of indescribable eX-
citement occurred when Sir Thomas
Esmonde and Anthony J. Donelan,
the two tellers, went to the right of
the speakers chair, thus showing that
for the first time in many years the
Unionist government has been beaten.
| When the clerk of the house handed
the division paper to Sir Thomas Els
monde there was perfect hurricane
of cheers from the opposition, lasting
several minutes. William Redmond, in
his exuberance, snatched hat from
the head of q colleague and waved it
wildly.
The members rushed in and a terri
BILE din prevailed. Ultimately suffi-
cient quiet was resumed to enable the
figures Of the vote to be called out.
Mr.. Balfour, who was in the Dis
tinguished Strangers gallery at the
time, appeared asto,mded at the jubi-
liant uproar.
The cheering of the opposition was
resumed when Mr.. Balfour entered the
chamber, and he was greeted with de.
risive cheers and cries of "Resign!'
and "Another message for JOew
| The premier, who had regained his
accustomed composure, phil9soph NV
~ sSSS ~