Mr. Goldsmid opposed the plan as leading directly to the
ab- sorption of the English Railways, but the Marquis of Hartington on the part of the Government made a speech very favourable to the plan. He would give no pledge, and he strongly warned shareholders that they must be moderate if Government were to look at their scheme ; but he thought the case of the Irish Rail- ways a separate one; that "Ireland had some ground of com- plaint against Parliament " for refusing a full discussion of the question, which "had been waiting seven years ;" that such neglect gave the Home Rulers a strong argument, and if it con- tinued would give them a stronger one ; that "it would be the object of Government to enable the House to come to some practical issue ;" and that Government would not be doing their duty if they brought it on without the prospect of carrying it to a subsequent conclusion. "It would entirely depend on the terms asked by the Railway Companies, whether a definite proposal should be made to Parliament." If words mean any- thing,—and Lord Hartington is a cautious speaker,—these mean that the Government are ready, if they can see their way to a fair negotiation, to purchase the Irish railways, and try the experiment of State management. Lord Hartington does not hint at their idea of a " fair " settlement, which one day may be a hugely important precedent, but we should think the price on the 17th inst. plus 10 per cent. for forced sale, would be an outside estimate.
