The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-08


yesterday presented its long awaited
Irish bill TO the house of commons and
the country. This bill is designed TO
meet the demands for the Irish home
rule. IL was presented by the chief
secretary for ireland. Mr.. BirrelI, to a
crowded house. Prior to the appearance
of this measure II was popularity
termed a "devolution bill" but today
n is referred TO as the Irish Council
bill" or even the Irish bill"
Compared with the home rule bills
OF 1856 and 1906 the measure Of today
confers little self government upon Ire
land, merely giving To the council con-
troll OF the eight departments now
managed by government boards. Twen-
ty-four members OF the council are TO
be appointed by the crown, and while
the lord lieutenant of Ireland IL given
power to nullify its measures. the
crown retains control of five OF the
eight departments including the con-
stabulary. The control of this branch
always has been a thorn in the flesh
OF the Irish people.
II is natural and quite to be expected
that this halfway measure is wholly
pleasing to no political party. The
Unionists regard IL as step toward
home rule. They object TO giving 10
ireland the management OF many de-
partments OF local affairs, while the
Irish members OF the house of COM
mons retain the right to legislate i'm
similar affairs for England and Scot
land. They criticise also the plan OF
government by a council through eight
committees as complicated and cumber-
some. The Radicals are disappointed
that the measure falls far short of
actual home rule. and the Irish mem
bers are even more disappointed with
Al ri sh
maintaining a diplomatic attitude until
they have time 10 study the provisions
of the bill and learn the sentiment
OF the people.
A Nationalist convention will be held
I'm Dublin soon 10 decide upon the
policy OF the Irish party. The Laborites
will support the measure because they
are all home rulers.
To prevent the first reading OF the
bill being deferred until tomorrow and
while Walter Hume Long was still
speaking, Mr.. Birrell moved the
closure. Then amid a great uproar and
protests and shouts OF gag" the
closure was carried by All votes 10 12l
and the bill passed its first reading by
4l6 votes TO l21. The house then
adjourned.
BALFoUR SARCASTIC.
After the bill had been presented and
explained by Mr.. Birrell IL was criti-
u.
on behalf of the opposition. John e !
Redmond then delivered a brilliant
speech, noteworthy principally for It's
dignified and forceful exposition OF Ire |
lands claims for complete home rule.
The audience OF the speakers was
worthy the occasion. The entire min
istry occupied seats on the front
benches. Mr.. Balfour lounged in his
characteristic languid attitude opposite, |
with George Wyndham, the former
chief secretary for Ireland, beside him. !
The floor of the house was packed. and
the galleries held notable assemblage,
including number OF peers, the visiting |
colonial premers. notably Alfred Deakin, |
premier OF Australia, and several bishops. |
William Bourke Cochran of New York |
was an interested spectator. Members of |
the Irish clergy were conspicuous in the |
galleries.
Mr.. Birrell has the mannerisms OF a col /
lege professor rather than the graces of |
a popular orator. Most OF hts speech |
was dry explanation of details % the plan, |
although in the beginning he eloquently |
'contrasted his position with that of Mr.. !
Gladstone i'm presenting home rule. call |
ing his task a more humble one and more |
commensurate with his position and pow |
ers
Mr.. Birrel rose to an oratorical height |
when he described the present system Of |
Irish administration.
III BL1N CASTLE FAlLI RE.
He called Dublin Castle a failure, say |
ing:
There It stands remote. without a
friend and melancholy. while the current |
OF Irish life sweeps past"
mo governor had entered he contn- |
ued "the gloomy portals of Dublin Cas- |
tie without a sinking Of the heart almost
equivalent to abandoning hope"
Parnell had said that one way TO gov
to IN
hold the balance of all parties and ad-
minister the country In a spirit Of cour- |
age and Independence. but the govern |
ment had no such man in its eye.
IL would rather write the biography OF |
a deceased autocrat," Mr. Birrell said. |
than live under his rule Such men do |
not make good history"
With all its shortcomings an elective |
body would be educational and teach the !
Irish people self-government
Nobody, said Mr.. Birrell, believed that
the present system OF the administration |
OF Ireland was sound in principle or eco
nomical. II had been switched off from
the great current OF the national life OF !
the people. Under the proposed new
scheme the Irish members of parliament |
would continue to sit at Westminster in |
undiminished numbers, hut he hoped here
after 10 find more profitable channel
for the inquisitiveness In managing To-
cal affairs at home 1t was the intention
OF the hill to establish n representative
administrative council consisting Of -
elected and "a nominated members. the
latter to he nominated the first year by
the i'ng and thereafter by the lord lieu
tenant OF Ireland. Elected members
would be elected on the local government
board franchise.
POWER OF THE COUNCIL
The under secretary to the lord lieu