The Bill is really an over-liberal Bill. The "guarantees" will
only be enforced in special circumstances, and, as Mr. T. W. Russell showed, the fiscal control of the county, its sanitary management, and the execution of all local Acts, is handed over to the County Council, with which Ulster is quite content. Mr. Balfour again proved that everything was given that could he given in a country like Ireland, where even men "who were friends yesterday, and will be friends to-morrow," use language about each other "which quite staggers people on this side," and where ratepayers paying only pennies were accustomed to receive aid from public works which hence- forward they will be able to vote. That is precisely what we plead as the objection to the Bill, and what perhaps accounts for thirty Nationalist Members staying away. Their constituents approve doles, and hold the right to pay doles to oneself to be a delightful privilege. In spite, however, of the great majority, and the obvious insincerity of Nationalist opposition, the Government is believed to dread the Com- mittee on the Bill, as affording opportunity for endless obstruction. If the Irish factions agree to let the Bill pass, doubtless it will be pushed through ; but if not, we trust the Government will not waste months, and the exhausted energies of a moribund Parliament, in a protracted struggle over an exceedingly doubtful reform. They will please Ulster, perhaps, but Ulster can hardly vote for Home-rule.
