THE DISTRIBUTION OF PATRONAGE TO IRISHMEN.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3946, 22 August 1881, Page 2

THE DISTRIBUTION OF PATRONAGE TO IRISHMEN.

In all free states the distribution of patronage forms an important force in the machinery of Government. In Belgium and Canada discontent, ending in armed insurrection, had been excited by the ex« elusion of the native population from the offices of authority. But in Ireland, in every department of local or general administration, Irishmen were studiously excluded from direction or control.

"The Lord Lieutenant was an Englishman, the chief Secretary was an Englishman, the Archbishop of Dublin was an Englishman ; the Irish Exchequer, the General Post-offices, the Public Works department, were all directed by Englishmen. The Irish Constabulary and the Irish Excise, were under the control of Scotchmen, and the officers employed in the collection of customs were English and Scotch in the proportion of thirty-five to one.

" It might be contended that this was only part of a system of unbarring the gates of patronage impartially to all subjects of the Queen, in all parts of the empire. How did the facts bear out this theory ? There were 13 Cabinet Ministers of whom 9 were Englishmen, 3 Scotchmen and 1 an Irishman, if the Duke of Wellington could be fairly considered a representative of Irish interests. Of the Lords of the Treasury, four were Englishmen, one a Scotchman, and an Irishman. Of the clerks of the Treasury, 112 were Britis^. and one Irish. Of the officers of tll^ Royal household, there were 225 British, and four Irish. Of Miuisters to Foreign Court, 131 were British, and four Irish. And the same system ran through all th« public departments. He estimated the proportion to be 490 EnglishmeU to 10 Irishmen."—Duffy's Hist. Ireland.