The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-20 00:00:00

LORD SALISBURY UNDERTAKES TO FORM

A CABINET.

The resignation of Mr. Gladstone having been
accepted by the Queen, Lord Salisbury was sum-
moned to Balmoral. His lordship left London on
Friday night. The Queen's messenger arrived in
London from Bahnoral on Saturday morning, and
drove at once to Downing-street with her Majesty's
despatches, which were, without delay, placed before
the Prime Minister.

At Balmoral on Saturday Lord Salisbury accepted,
at the hands of the Queen, the task of forming a Con-
servative Cabinet, in which he will hold the office of
Prime Minister. The acceptance took place without
conditions, and Lord Salisbury, who alighted at Hat-
field on Sunday morning, came to London on Monday
for the purpose of conferring with Sir Stafford North-
cote in the first instance, and afterwards with other
leading colleagues.

Sunilay's Court circular contains the subjoined:
"The Marquis of Salisbury had an audience of the
Queen previous to leaving Balmoral, and has accepted
office."

The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, describ-
ing his lordship's return journey, states: Lord
Salisbury left Balmoral Castle about two o'clock on
Saturday afternoon in one of her Majesty's carriages
for Ballater, wherele joined the Queen's Messenger
special train, and arrived at Aberdeen at half-past
four. There a considerable crowd had assembled.
His lordship, when he alighted on the platform, was
met by Sheriff Irvine, of Drum, convener of the
county, and Colonel Innes, of Learney. There was a
hearty cheer raised as he passed along the platform
to join the south-going mail train, which left at 4.40
p.m., and reached Perth at 7.15. Here another
crowd had gathered, and his lordship, in passing to
the refreshment-room, was enthusiastically cheered.
Having dined, he departed by the East Coast train,
being again loudly cheered. At Grahamstone Sta-
tion, near Falkirk, there was a similar demon-
stration. A stoppage of five minutes was made,
during which calls were made for " A speech,"
but the noble marquis simply bowed his acknow-
ledgments, and the train moved on amid renewed
cheers and slight hooting, mingled with some cries of
" Gladstone for ever." His lordship reached the
Waverley Station, Edinburgh, at about a quarter-past
ten o'clock. There also a crowd had assembled in
expectation of his arrival, and upon the train drawing
ma he was enthusiastically cheered. He was met by
Mr. J. H. A. Macdonald, Dean of Faculty, and
former Conservative Solicitor General. His lordship,
on leaving the railway carriage, walked arm-in-arm
with Mr:Macdonald to the east refreshment-room,
followed by the crowd, who cheered and waved their
hats. The throng hastened into the refreshment-
room, which was soon filled, and there were cries for
"A speech," but the marquis retreated into a side-
room, where he had tea. When he left the refresh-
ment-room his lordship was again cheered, and fol-
lowed to his carriage, where the crowd remained till
the train left for the South at 10.40. The recep-
tion was most enthusiastic throughout. Again at
Berwick there was cheering, and calls for "Salis-
bury," but his lordship made no appearance. The
remainder of the journey was without incident until
the train arrived at Hatfield, where it was specially
stopped in order to allow his lordship to alight. He
at once proceeded to Hatfield House in a carriage
which was awaiting him. The arrival being quite un-
expected, except by the railway officials, scarcely any
persons were on the platform when the train drew up.
A hearty cheer was, however, raised by those pas-
sengers who recognised the noble Marquis as he left
the station. In anticipation, doubtless, of his return
Lady Salisbury and family went down to Hatfield from
London about midlay on Saturday,while Mr.Beresford-
Hope, M.P.,who is related to the noble marquis by mar-
riage, also proceeded there in the course of the even-
ing. Mr. A. 1. Balfour, M.P., Lord Salisbury's
nephew, and formerly his private secretary, who
had also been communicated with by telegram from
the north, travelled to Hatfield by the train leaving
King'a-cross at five minutes after midnight on Satur-
day. During Sunday communications with leading
members of the Conservative party passed between
London and Hatfield through the medium of special
messengers. In the course of the morning Mr. Henry
Manners (son of Lord John Manners), who is Lord
Salisbury's private secretary, arrived at Hatfield, and,
after a prolonged interview with the noble marquis,
returned to town by the 2.35 p.m. train. He imme-
diately proceeded to Sir Stafford Northcote's house in
St. James's-place, and subsequently Mr. Rowland
Winn, the Conservative whip, had an interview with Sir
Stafford, as had also the Duke of Richmond and
Gordon, Lord Rowton, Me. E. Stanhope, and other
well-known Conservative leaders.

On Saturday afternoon Mr. Gladstone, accom-
panied by Mrs. Gladstone, drove to the residence of a
friend at Coombe, near Kingston, whence he re-
turned on Monday. Other members of the late
Government were at their various offices on Saturday,
but were chiefly engaged in making ready for the
advent of their successors. With regard to the
amount of support which the new Administration
may expect to receive from their predezessors in
office, it is stated that two prominent members of
Mr. Gladstone's Government have declared that
Conservative Members will obtain no guarantees
from them, but must be prepared to face the diffi-
culties which they have brought unon themselves.
According to the Press Association considerable
difference of opinion prevails amongst the Radical
party upon this point. Some independent Radicals
do not conceal their intention to criticise very closely
in Parliament the doings of any Conservative Govern-
ment which may be formed. The more general dis-
position, however, among the rank and file of the
Radical members is to use their influence in favour
of giving fair play to any statesnien who may be
called upon to conduct public affairs during the short
interval which will precede the general election.

CONFERENCE OF CONSERVATIVE LEADERS.

The Marquis of Salisbury arrived at his town
residence in Arlington-street shortly before noon on
Monday from Hattleld. Mr. A. J. Balfour, M.P.,
who had left by an earlier train, met Lord Salisbury
at King's-cross and accompanied him from
the station to his residence. Shortly after their
arrival Sir Stafford Northeote and Mr. Rowland
Winn, the senior Conservative whip, called at Lord
Salisbury's house, and were followed in quick suc-
cession by the Earl of Carnarvon, the Earl of
Harrowby, Sir R. Cross, Viscount Cranbrook,
Lord John Manners, Mr. W. H. Smith,
Sir Michael Hicks Beach, the Duke of
Richmond and Gordon, and Lord George Hamilton.
The meeting, at which it is understood the Conserva-
tive leader explained to his colleagues the nature of
the communications he had had with her Majesty,
and discussed with them the conditions upon which
he could carry out the Queen's commands to form an
Administration, lasted nearly two hours. Lord Salis-
bury subsequently communicated with her Majesty
by telegraph.
Mr. Gladstone arrived at Downing-street on Monday
morning from Coombe Warren, and had an interview
with Sir Henry Ponsonby, who was stated to have
been the bearer of a further communication from
her Majesty.

Contrary.: to expectation, Lord Salisbury was un-
able to be in his place in the House of Lords at the
brief sitting which took place prior to their lordships
adjourning until Friday next. There was no unusually
Large attendance when the House met. The front Oppo-
sition bench was occupied by:the Duke of Richmond and
por‘on, the Duke of Northumberland, Viscount Cron-
brook, the Earl of Harrowby, Earl Beauchamp, and
Viscount Bury. On the Ministerial bench were Earl
*Granville, the Earl of Derby, Earl Sidney, the Earl of
Rosebery, and liitchtMon.s.on...WiaitilAgiallg the other
peersOreseittwere iniferoilDrevonshire _

set, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishops
of Winchester and Carlisle. Apparently there was
some hesimtion as to what the course of procedure
should be, and Lord Monson crossed the floor of the
House and conferred with Lord Cranbrook. When
he had returned to the Government bench Lord Cran-
brook rose and moved the adjournment of the House
until Friday, on which day he observed Lord Salis-
bury hoped to mike a statement. Lord Granville
briefly assented, and a few minutes later the House
rose.