Few things are so inexplicable about the Irish movement as
the refusal of the people of Ireland to provide any money for carrying it on. The farmers acknowledge that they have saved three millions a year by it, the classes which vote have millions in the Savings Banks, a subscription of nine- pence a month from each Parnellite voter would provide 2100,000 a year —more than is wanted—yet the whole burden is thrown upon the American Irish. The latter are beginning to be sensible of the anomaly. Mr. Eugene Kelly, chairman of the Irish Parliamentary Committee in New York, made a speech on Monday in which, after protesting the loyalty of Irish-Americans "to Gladstone and Parnell "—" Powers eternal, such names mingled !"—he adjured his countrymen to go on sub- scribing, not only because victory was near, but "because Ire- land will soon cease to be a burden on us." His people, it would seem, are almost sick of subscribing, and it is necessary to address their pockets as well as appeal to their patriotism. The speech suggests the truth of the old statement, that the Irish at home care heartily about their agrarian dispute, but are only anxious for Home-rule because it will enable them to acquire land cheap. Poor as the country is, it could, if in earnest, pro- vide 2100,000 a year for Mr. Parnell almost without an effort. He is supposed to have 500,000 households at his back, and the subscription would be less than a penny a week per house ! Even a halfpenny a week would make the party independent ; but it is unattainable.
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