The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-03
THE BUDGET
 IN POLITICS English Public Affairs Center About It. THE LORDS ARE OPPOSED England Busied With Educa-
 ton.
 
Some Americans Have Assisted sa The Endowment of Oxford Univer- sity-A Queer Politicai Con-
 dition is Presented.
BY W. HAMILTON RHODES.

committee which, under the chairman ship of Lord Curzon of Kedleston, the Chancellor of the University of Ox- ford. is charged with the collection of donations for further endowment Since the last announcement in the press donations of $5.o00 have been received from the Grocer's Company. from MT. Walter Morrison, and from MT. Lionel Phillips. Some American holders of honorary degrees from Ox- ford University have collectively given $1,025. The Saddlers' Company has contributed s525. and $500 each has been promised or given by Lord Ll- ford( second donation) Sir W. Philli- more, Sir William Farrer, Mir. L. s. Jameson. MT. J. A. Simon, w. C., M. F., Mir. E. J. Wythes, Mir. A. D. Steel Maitland. Honorary Fellow of Bai- liol (for the Bodleian catalogue). MT. w. Minet, the Rev. Hilgrove Cbxe, MT. J. H. Bill and MT. T. P. Warren. In addition to these a large number of smaller subscriptions has been re- ceived, but there are still many Ox- ford men who have not yet responded to the Chancellors appeal. A state ment is in course of preparation. and will be issued before long, as to the manner in which the trustees have ex- pended the sums so far subscribed.
 There is an agitation in England for the abolition of black boards in schools, and the Teachers Associations in some districts have taken the mat ter up. The complaint is that the dust particles from the chalk often convey the consumption bacillus, and instances are mentioned of apparently healthy teachers whose illness and death are attributed to the blackboard. The alternative is a white board with e black crayon, the dust of which does not fly about like that of chalk. Meantime school children are still using slates. and their arrangements for cleaning them are often not the given up states and use paper. which fs not so much dearer in the long run.
 Political Speculation.
 Speculation as to the intentions of the House of Lords and the chances of a general election still supplies. the leading topic of conversation in the lobby of the House of Commons. One event recently recorded has a district and peculiar significance in this con- nection. An arrangement is in pro- cess of being arrived at between the tariff reformers and the unionist free traders. The basis of this arrange ment is that the Unionist Free Traders are to give a pledge that should the Conservatives be returned to power,
 
 which the free traders could not agree. the latter would resign their seats On this understanding they will not be opposed at the next election. Nothing but the acutest apprehension of the consequences of an appeal to the country could have induced the tariff reformers to assent to such e compact. It Is an absolute surrender on their part. It is precisely the condition sug- gested repeatedly by Lord Robert Cecil to the tariff reform leaders and con- temptuously repudiated by them IL was refused even a month ago. &his shows that the tariff reformers have lost the hope of sweeping the country and as this is the only alternative policy to the budget, 1t must be that they expect defeat if there Is a general election. The unionist free traders. about seven or eight in all, are naturally very much e4ated over this signal triumph. It implies the utter route and disruption of the con- federates, who had banded themselves together for their extinction.
 Another question now cropping up somewhat consistently is: what ar- arrangements could be made to carry on the financial business of the country over the interval between the .rejec- tion of the budget. the election and the assembling of new House of Commons, and the introduction and passage of a new budget? II Is clear that a good deal of disiocation must arise, and 1t is also pretty evident that any resentment aroused by that dis location will be vented on those who are responsible for its rejection. Consequently those who are melting the Lords to reject the budget are be- ing agitated by considerable misgiv- lngs on this head. The "Times" makes the suggestion that all confusion could be obviated by the introduction of n short bill by the government, which will be passed as an agreed measure by both houses. The "Times'' must imagine that the ministers are exceedingly unsophisticated If they can be persuaded to tighten the re- sponsibilities assumed by their op- moments if the budget Is rejected. The more confusion and loss caused by the rejection of the budget. the worse 1t will be for the conservatives. and the ministers would deserve any thing that happened to them if they raised a hand to lessen that confusion and loss. Naturally If the Lords re- feet the budget they should be male to face the music
 There is really no answer possible to the duestion-"Will the Lords re- feet the budget or not?" Every one knows that the Lords are desperately anxious to throw 1t out, and that no question of precedence or constitu- tional right will play the smallest part In influencing their minis on the sub ject. All they want to know Is: Win we win if we take this step? Not even the combined wisdom of Sir Arthur Acland Hood and MT. Percival Hughes is sufficient to give them a satisfactory assurance on that point Until that can be done. the budget is safe. The situation may change be- tween this and the steadily receding date at which the budget will go to the Lords, but at the present hour the predominating feeling in the lobby is that the Lords will pass 1t. The Tory newspapers are indulging in a good deal of small talk to keep their spirits up. Their followers know that the situation is most momentous and critical one. and that false step now may prove the greatest catastrophe that the Tory Party has ever had tc face.
 A Precedent.
 Mir. Alfred Mond. M. P, addressing . budget meeting at Chester. expressed