The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1907-05-08
The NEW IRISH BILL
a1R. BTRI ELL INTRODUCES MEAS
URE IN PARLIAMENT.
Noes Not Grant ireland Home Rule
hut Ii stepping stone Leading
To That Point As
FfnaIity.

London, May THE Irish bill was
introduced in the House of Commons
today by the chief secretary for Ire
land. Mr.. Birrell.
The Introduction of this measure had
been anticipated with the keenest IN
terest as 1t presents in new form the
long drawn out struggle of Ireland lot
self government. In anticipation OF the
event the House of Commons was
crowded the Hobbies and galleries being
filled with the conspicuous figures In
the Irish movement The bill had
been drafted by Mr.. Birrell who sue
ceeded Mr.. Brice, on the latter's recent
appointment as ambassador at WASH
ington.
Mr.. Birrelrs, explanation of the new
bill was received with deep interest
and unwavering attention. Its terms
had been kept secret except to rev
of the foremost Irish leaders. SO that
all alike were on the tip-toe OF ex-
pectancy in regard to the measure
The bill does not give complete home
rule, nor has Ii been the purpose Oh
the government to grant ireland com
plete self rule at a single stroke. On
the contrary, as Mr.. Birrell explained,
the governments measure is but
stepping stone; 1t is at least some
measure of self rule for Ireland over
Irish affairs and this much accom-
plished, 1t gives some promise of the
ultimate, realization of complete nome
rule.
At the outset Mr. Birrell explained
that the object of the bill was to as
sociate the sentiment of the Irish peo-
pie as a whole with the administration
of the statutes and the recognitions
which directed the conduct of purely
Irish AFFAIRS. It did not contain any
trace of new legislative power. 1t would
not authorize the levying of a single
tax or rate.
The department coming under the
control of the proposed Irish council
would be the local government board
the department of agriculture, the con-
gested districts board, the commission
ers for Public works and national edu-
cation. the inspectors of the reforma-
tory and industrial schools and the
register general The supreme court
judicial the social Irish contabulary,
the Dublin Metropolitan police, the
land commission and the prisons board
would remain under the control OF
the Imperial authorities.
A report of council consisting OF
eighty-two elected and twenty-five
nominated members would be estab-
lished. the latter would be nominat-
ed for the first year by the King and
thereafter by the Lord Lieutenant OF
Ireland.
The elected members would be cleo
ted on a local government board fran
chise. The under secretary of the
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland would be
an ex-ofifcio member of the council,
which would have complete control of
the powers vested In the departments
to be handed over to its care.
The president of the council would
be appointed by the council itself and
the chief secretary would have the
right to attend the meetings
II the legislative officers of the de-
partment were retired by the council
they must be given full pensions.
The exercises of the powers vested
in the department would be controlled
by resolutions of the council and the
supremacy of the Imperial parliament
would be safeguarded by the power
given to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire
land to reserve his consent to any res
olution of the council. new educa-
ton department for primary and sec
ondary education is to be established
and will be placed under the control
of the Irish council.
The council would be elected for a
term of three years