A Diary of the Home Rule Parliament, 1892-1895

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIII. SESSION OF 1895. MR. CHAMBERLAIN. At this present time of writing the Leaders 2nd Feb. 0f the Opposition have not definitely of the Session, settled whether they shall meet the Address with official amendment or whether they shall be content with harassing the Government by less formal attacks. The young bloods of the party are eager for pitched battle. Mr. Balfour, who carries an exceedingly shrewd head on young shoulders, perceives that one result of such tactics would be to unite the Ministerialists on the eve of the Session, and so give the Government a good send-off with their programme. If the Government are placed in a minority in the coming Session, it will not be upon a large issue deliberately chosen for attack, but on some question in Committee, suddenly sprung and with division rushed. Even with the Redmondites going into the lobby with their old allies the Tories, the Government can command a safe majority on any issue directly affecting its existence. Such occasion would arise in the event of an amendment to the Address being moved from the Front Opposition Bench. Mr. Balfour is, therefore, indisposed to give the Government an advantage. The first night of the new Session, which AQFelt common report prophesied would be full Opening. of alarums and excursions, proved positively dull. Sir George Osborne Morgan, who had proposed to himself a preliminary crusade against the Lords, in the form of indictment of the Duke of Westminster in his illegal capacity as almoner to Church candidates at Parliamentary elections in Wales, was gently but firmly put on one side by Sir William Harcourt. Nothing would have pleased the Opposition more than the opportunity of spending an hour or two in such a discussion. Sir William Harcourt is chief...