IRISH CATHOLICS AND REGISTRATION.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECT•TOH.•']
Sin,—In your article on "Mr. Parnell's Position," you remark that you are "a little surprised to find that if the Irish Catholics in England are as enthusiastic for Home-rule as he [Mr. Parnell] believes them to be, any money is required to put their names on the register." As one behind the scenes, I may explain the mystery. Father Tom Burke long ago lamented the fact that the Irish in this country were mere hewers of wood and drawers of water. Such they are, and such they seem content to remain. In the Irish quarters of our large towns, they are mostly unskilled labourers, mill-hands, hawkers, publicans, or pawnbrokers in a very small way. Many, if not most of them, are illiterate. Intemperance plays havoc with a large proportion. Whisky is preferred to taking any trouble about ensuring votes. Rates and taxes, and rent itself, are very often not paid, the money being wasted in the public-house. A great many of the Irish are lower in the scale still, being tramps. And a great many, women as well as men, unfortunately find their way to prison. Efforts have from time to time been made to increase the Irish vote, but in vain, for the reasons above given. And English Catholics naturally take no trouble to aid the Irish in putting their names on the register, for the simple reason that they do not wish to increase the Separatist vote.—I am, Sir, &c.,
A CATHOLIC UNIONIST.
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