The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-15
SIR STAFFORD NORTmCOTE.


The New Member of the Joist HIEh Commis-
The inability of Sir John Rose to act as q
member of the Joint High Commission for the
settlement of the Alabama claims aud other
matters In dispute between Great Britain aud
the United States, has led to the appointment
OF the Right Hon. Sir Stafford Northcote to the
vacancy on the commission created by his resig-
nation. Sir Stsfford's appointment will give
general satisfaction In this country, and In
England likewise, the London Times declaring
that he lis probably more intimately acquainted
with all considerations arising out of the Ala
Dama claims than any other person who could
have been selected for the position"
The new commissioner was born In London,
on the 9th of October, 1918, and was educated
at Balliol College, oxford, from which he gradu-
ated with high honors. lie then studied law,
and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple
in 1S47, and was made 9. B., civil division, in
1851, q recognition Of his services as one of the
secretaries of the great industrial exhibition of
that year. Belonging to a wealthy and aristO-
cratic family, he was early destined for Off
cial career as preparation for which
he served Mr.. Gladstone as private sec
retary during the latter's incumbeucy of
the Presidency of the Board of Trsde.
In March, 1885, he entered Parliament
as a Conservative member for Dudley, but was
defeated in March, 1857, as a candidate for
North Devonshire. In July, 1853, however he
was returned to the House of Commons for
Stamford, and continued to represent that b.
rough until May, 1866, when he was finally sue
cessful in obtaining a seat for North Devonshire
He acted as Financial Secretary to the Treasury
from January TO June, 1859, and ins,June, 1885,
was appointed President of the Board of Trade,
in the late Lord Derby's third Administrations
~, 1.,h ,f
for India, which position he vacated on the in
coming of MIR. Gladstone's administration in
1868. During this period the Government of
the vast British possessions in India
was practically in his hands He gave general
satisfaction in this extremely difiicdt position.
At the Parliamentary elections of 1868 he made
gallant fight for his seat in North Devoushire,
and was returned at the head of the poll; but,
although in politics lie has been somewhat libe-
raj, he was still too closely identified with the
Conservative party and its fortunes to receive
any official position at the hands of Mr.. Glad
stone. His appointment on the Joint High Com
mission is doubtless intended to give the con-
servative interest fair representation,
and voice in the settlement of
the questions at issue between
the United States and Great Britain. Ia the
spring of 1869, Sir Stafford was appointed chair
ernor. er oficio, of the Northwest Territory in
the British American Possessions. In this
capacity his diligence and administrative
ability soon became subject OF remark. In
May. 1870 Sir Stafford came to America, land
ing at New York, and paid visit to the Red
River country, to attempt the adjustment of the
difficulties between the insurgents and the
Canadian authorities.
Sir Stafford Northcote is one of the most
promising public men of Great Britain. AL
though he cannot, as yet claim to rank as a
statesman of the first order, he is noted for his
executive ability, and the Industry and sagacity
which he has invariably brought to the discharge
of his public duties. As speaker in the House
of Commons, he is somewhat heavy and labored,
but always commands ready hearing. He has
taken great interest in art and educational
matters, and is regarded as an able iuanciei, his
most important publication being Twenty
Years of Financial Policy, 1S41 1-6l."