40

SPREAD OF THE LAND LEAGUE.

country was to be maintained, the most able administrators were necessary at the time throughout the south and west.

On the other hand, the Land League, the majority of its leading members being Fenians or other rebels, having thoroughly established itself in the south and west, was spreading its organisation throughout the other portions of Ireland. It had promulgated its rules, and death or mutilation was the early fate of those disobeying them. Money was being received in large sums by its treasury from America, without which and the condign punishment meted out to offenders against its laws, its reign, if ever begun, would have rapidly come to an end. Its committees were constituting themselves in every village of any size, and assuming to themselves many of the functions of a lawful government, such as holding courts for the trial of cases connected with land, and disobedience to the general rules of the organisation, or non-compliance with its local edicts. There were isolated attempts, in the

early part of the movement, on the part of a few of the Romish clergy and of the people to assert their independence; but all such were made to speedily feel the weight of the Land League displeasure, and suffered in various degrees to such an extent that few were tempted to follow their example. There was no cohesion on the part of the landlords, nor among other people whose conscience, loyalty, or interests prompted them to resist the selfcreated authority set up in their midst; while, on the other hand, the Land League was daily becoming more compact, strong, and tyrannical. Weakness and want of organisation on the part of the Government and of its adherents inspired the Land League with a daring, if not a courage, that placed the country at its feet so long as open rebellion was not resorted to. Such was the position of affairs in the beginning of 1881.

Before entering further upon my narrative, it appears to me desirable that the reader

should be made acquainted with the means

42

THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT.

at the disposal of the Government in Ireland for preserving the peace and administering the law in the provinces. Without this knowledge, it will be difficult to form an opinion as to the relative strength of the contending forces, and the means taken from time to time, on the one side and on the other, for the promotion of the ends respectively aimed at.

The Irish Government in 1881 practically consisted of the Lord Lieutenant (not in the Cabinet), assisted and advised in Dublin by the permanent Under Secretary, the Law Adviser, and the Inspector-General of Police. The Chief Secretary (in the Cabinet), with the Solicitor and Attorney General, being in Parliament, were detained in London during the greater part of the session. All matters of importance were laid before the Chief Secretary, whether he was in Dublin or London. When, however, he was in London, and immediate action was necessary, a reference was not always possible.

Immediately subordinate to the Lord Lieu

tenant, and in direct official communication with the Under Secretary, were seventy-two resident magistrates. The resident magistracy in Ireland is one of the few branches of the home Civil Service admission into which is not regulated by any clearly defined qualification. So far as the maintenance of order was concerned, the Government relied mainly upon the Royal Irish Constabulary, assisted and, during disturbance or when employed in force, controlled by the resident magistrates. There were also the county justices of the peace. A candidate for the appointment of resident magistrate has not to pass any examination either in law or general education; and it may be at once admitted, that if the Lord Lieutenant desired to appoint an individual possessed of absolutely no qualification whatever, the power to so appoint is unrestricted. It may be further admitted, that in days gone by many gentlemen obtained these appointments, not on account of their capacity, intelligence, or experience, but as a reward for political ser

44

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES.

vices rendered to the Government of the time by those who supported the candidates' applications. Prior to 1874 the salary to begin with was but £300 a-year-a sum not likely to attract men, either from the legal or military professions, with any career open to them. Notwithstanding this very small remuneration, some of the best magistrates now serving in Ireland entered upon their duties before the date mentioned. In 1874, the seventytwo officers were divided into three classes, the salaries being respectively £425, £550, and £675 per annum, with £100 horse allowance, and a small sum for travelling expenses added. Upon appointment, a gentleman invariably entered at the foot of the lowest grade. Promotion went by seniority, as a rule, though occasionally by selection, to meet the requirements of the public service.

It would serve no useful purpose to here consider whether any of the appointments made in the far past were open to objection, or whether the best men were secured in all