The wretched condition of the dwellings of the agricultural laborers in many parts of the country has attracted much attention, and plans for bettering their condition have frequently been urged.  Lately the interest in the subject has increased, prominent statesmen on both sides having espoused the cause.  In view of the political power which the recent extension of the suffrage has given to the agricultural laborers, there is a general expectation that a measure will shortly be enacted requiring the owner or occupier of the farm to give each laborer a plot of ground “of a size that he and his family can cultivate without impairing his efficiency as a wage-earner,” at a rent fixed by arbitration, and providing for a loan of money by the state for the erection of a proper dwelling.  The provisions of the Irish Land Act and its amendment relating to laborers’ cottages and allotments suggest the lines along which legislation for the improvement of laborers’ dwellings in England and Scotland is likely to proceed.

Then there is the scheme for nationalizing the land, the state paying the present owners no compensation, or a very small amount, and assuming the chief functions now exercised by the landlords.  No statesman has yet ventured to advocate this scheme, but it has called forth a great deal of discussion on the platform and in the newspapers and reviews, and has captivated most of those who are inclined to adopt socialistic theories of property.  Mr. George himself has preached his favorite doctrine to the crofters, whose views of their own rights in the land have led them to look upon the plan with more favor than the English tenants.  Others, too, who have plans to advocate for giving tenants and laborers greater rights have taken special pains to have their views presented to the crofters, since the claims of the latter against the landlords seem to rest upon so much stronger grounds than those of the English tenant.

The agitations for the reform of the land laws in Ireland and England, and the utterances of the advocates of the various plans for increasing the rights and privileges of the tenant, have led the crofters to dwell upon their grievances until they have become thoroughly aroused.  They have in many cases refused to pay rent, have resisted eviction and driven away officers who attempted to serve writs, have offered violence to the persons or property of some of those who have ventured to take the crofts of evicted tenants, and in some instances have taken forcible possession of lands which they thought ought to be added to their crofts.  The government found it necessary a short time ago to send gunboats with marines and extra police to some of the islands and districts to restore the authority of the law.  The crofters and their friends are thoroughly organized, and seem likely to insist upon their claims with the persistency that is characteristic of their race.  It is now generally conceded that some remedy must be provided for their grievances and hardships.