This little speech was uttered with exquisite dignity and
kindliness, and Mr. Redmond received it with the handsomest
acknowledgment of its gentleness and grace.
[Sidenote: No manipulating.]
This episode has made me anticipate a little, and almost tempted me to
pass by one of the incidents in the speech of Mr. Chamberlain. But that
would have been a mistake, for it is an incident that brings out fully
the reason why he is so utterly disliked and distrusted even in those
Tory circles which, for the moment, are making use of him. It is an
incident that likewise throws a flood of light upon the inner, hidden,
dark depths of his sinister nature. He was arguing on the financial
aspects of Mr. Gladstone's Bill. Under this portion of the Bill the
trader who has residences in both countries is entitled to make his
return for his income-tax in either England or Ireland. Mr. Chamberlain
proceeded to put the case of a trader in that position who wished to
embarrass the Irish Government, and who would wish accordingly to give
England, and not the Irish Exchequer, the advantage of his income-tax.
This he could do, Mr. Chamberlain pointed out, in the easiest manner
imaginable; he could "manipulate his books.
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