Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1894 — THE GRAND OLD MAN. [ARTICLE]

THE GRAND OLD MAN.

Probably tho Last Speech of Gladstone In . - 1 film Commons. Unusual interest is attached to the speech of Mr. Gladstone in tho House ol Commons, Thursday. The Premier entered the House at 3:30. At 4 o’clock Mr. Gladstone’s secretary informed tho Associated Press that tho resignation of the Premier cannot long be delayed. Continuing, Mr. Littleton said that at the audience which Mr. Gladstone had at Buckingham Palace, Wednesday, with the Queen, ho referred to the increasing difficulties which he experienced, owing to hlf falling eyesight, deafness and age, and told her Majesty that ho could not long continue to bear the responsibilities of the premiership. Rt. Hon. Arthur Wellesly Peel put tho question that tho House ol Lords amendments to the local government bill bo considered. Mr. Gladstone then arose and addressed the House, speaking in a full, resonant, voice, which occasionally was marred by a slight huskiness. Bnt, in spite of this, ho spoke throughout with marvelous energy and vigor.

During the course of his speoh tho Premier said that tho Government folt thal this operation of sendlngand re-sending a bill from one iiouso to another had continued long enough. (Loud and prolonged cheering and much laughter.) When Mr. Gladstone was again able to resume speaking he said: "To continue tho process would bo a loss of dignity to both ’ Houses, and the Government has decided to stop the operation and take a decided course. The Government had tho clioic* of rejecting tho House of Lords amendments and abandoning hope of passing tbo bill, or accept thorn under protest with the hope of soon reversing them Tho Government adopted the second” (Cheering.) ■ Mr. Gladstone then reviewed tho action of tho House of Lords in thopa9t and said: “We havo now reached an acute stage. It appears that tho House of Lords desires to annihilate the whole work of the liouso of Commons. In regard to tho present bill the Government desires to save something from tho wreck, and, therefore, accepted the amendments, with the declaration that tho differences between the Houses Is not of a temporary or casual nature. This state of things, t am compelled to say, can not continuo. [Loud and prolonged cheers. 1 The issue raised between the assembly elected by the voices of the people and the assembly oc- - copied by many men of virtue and talents are of considerable variety. [Laughter 1When once raised they must go on to the issne. No doubt there is a higher Authority than the House of Common l * namely tho authority of tho nation [loud :heers] which must in last resort decide [Renewed cheers, loud opposition cries of at once.] When that judgment is to be invited is a question which tho government alone can decide.” At the conclusion of Mr. Gladstone’s re- I inerks he asked the House to accept the J House of Lords amendments to the bilL f