The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1906-03-30
Bridgeport. Conn.

it some in my boyhood days. l ad-
United however, that that was so long
ago. that could not now profess to be
an expert. However I should see his
yield. Now this brings me to the fact
that impressed me so much, and that |
wish to lay before your readers. AS 1
said above the Colonel is public
spirited man. He is. lover of his
country.
HE is IN FAVOR OF HOME RULE FOR
IRELAND.
His motto is: "Ireland for the Irish."
We are different people from
them" he said to me, referring to the
e. g iisb, land they co not understand
US" He is doing all IN his power to
start or revive Irish Industries.
Several years ago he conceived the idea
that Ireland could grow tobacco sue
cessfully and protitably. What will
the free citizens Of Connecticut think,
when tell them that he found on the
statute book a law forbidding the
growing Of tobacco? Any one guilty
of growing an acre OF tobacco was
liable to fine of Gl600 (S800O) and a
term Of Imprisonment besides. Gould
anything demonstrate more cOgently
the iniquity Of English rule in ireland?
In most countries citizen who intro
duces new industry deserves well of
his country. 1t has been said that he
who makes two blades of grass grow
where formerly grew only one, Is
benefactor Of his race. But in Ireland
he is a felon, rebel. However, the
Colonel was man OF standing and had
many friends among the English and
Irish members of Parliament.
Through them pressure was brought
to bear on the Chancellor of the En-
pire and permission was obtained for
the Colonel to experiment. yet only on
condition that 20 acres be "a ised
This was severe hand leap
A much smaller acreage would
suffice for the test. Then neither the
colonel nor any one else knew anything
about the raising of tobacco. Moth
ing daunted, however, he sent his son
to America to study the nature and
growth of the plant Young Everard
spent some time in Virginia and Ken
lucky and learned much. Also an ex-
pert was brought over to Ireland. The
natives were taught how to work In
the tobacco field and how to cure the
weed. This work has been going on
for several years, and as a consequence
the colonel has in his curing house sew
eral tons of the finest tobacco. That
was my opinion, and the Sunday be-
fore 1 left Ireland 1 met him at a
luncheon and he showed me a letter he
had but just received from the leading
manufacturers Of tobacco in England,
to whom he had sent samples of bis
product. The head of the firm assured
him that it was
HANDLED.
The colonel is justly proud of his
achievement. But will the law be re-
pealed? The permission to grow the
tobacco will expire in three years time.
II have demonstrated that Ireland
can produce tobacco protitably and it
she may do so or nOt," he said to me.
But from the kings speech at the re-
cent opening of Parliament it is evil
dent that Home Rule will before long
be granted to Ireland, and these in
iquitous and senseless laws will be
wiped forever, let us hope, from the
statute books Of Ireland. The law
against raising tobacco was enacted by
James l.; but it is not obsolete. In
stances are known where the penalty
was imposed for breaches Of the law
and the crop trampled to the earth by
the kings horses.
Efforts are now being made all over
Ireland to revive her industries, and
when the letters are removed from the
hands of her people,a they will have
free play, success will surely follow. A
great impetus, noticed, has been CIV
en- to the lace industry.
IRISH LACE is AMONG THE FINEST IN
THE WORLD.
Now all over Ireland there exists the
''Irish Industrial Association" It's
object is to encourage poor girls and
instruct them in tire art OF lace max
ing. The wealthy ladies Of Ireland
are its patronesses. In the larger
Lowns, like Navan, near which lived,
lectures are given to the peasant girls
of the surrounding district. They are
taught lace making, and when they
have learned the art the association
buys their product and pays for it i'm
mediatelY. Five Thousand dollars was