New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-26
NOTES FROM LONDON.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

of bis chief intellectual qualities. Physically
sneakinp he is short-sighted 1t had been supposed
that the oculsts could remedy this, but they say
no. What is wanted for the Speakers CHAIR is a
vision which shall be equally good at the same In
slant for what is passing on the front benches three
feet Off and for what is passing in the renotest
corners of the House. The oculists can do some
thing for short-sghted patient for gsighted
patent. But they cannot make glasses which shall
enable man to see equally well at all distances
at the same moment. They cannot supply the want
of what believe they call adjustabiity III the
natural eye. And 80 Mr.. GOschen, who cannot re-
cognize his most intimate friend across the dinner
table, is not to be Speaker
He would probably have made an excellent
Speaker and yet, said, his refusal is not to he
regretted. He is. in the first place, too big man
for the place. The Speakershp requires combina-
ton of qualities not TO be found in many men. au-
thoriy quick decisiveness of character and of mind
impartiality. rapid vision, thorough knowledge of
Parliamentary practice and rules. 1t requires all
these and much else, but il does not require any
very remarkable powers of mind. But one Speaker
in modern times was what would be called very
clever lin the English sense) and he was not among
the best Speakers Mr. Goschen is one of the abest
of living statesmen in England an authority on
finance higher than that of any man, except Mr..
Gladstone who can be named. He has q cool judg-
ment and very remarkable power of speculative
thinking on political subjects. united with an ac-
curate knowledge of the conditions under which
particular subject comes within the range of prac-
teal politics. He is one of the very best speakers
in the House. Hardly any mans rising is more
eagerly looked for save the two three men whose
speaking attains to the level of oratory. He is
Liberal whose Liberalism does not run riot.
Nothing in Mr.. Goschen's career is better known
than the fact that he refused to enter the present
Ministry in which almost any post lay open to him,
because he could not see his way TO advocating or
| accepting the intended extension OF the County
| Franchise. He has on that point almost the whole
Liberal party against him, and Americans must
agree with English Liberals in thinking his scruples
excessive They none the less denote the independ-
| ence and a balanced temper which are Mt this
| moment simply invaluable in English public life.
| If Mr. Goschen became Speaker he would cease to
be a party man, and the weight of his cOunsels
would be lost to the Liberals His moderatlng
influence would be lost, his public speeches would
cease TO possess the authority which now belongs to
them because he would have passed from the ranks
of militant Liberalism into the serene ether which
alone a Speaker of the House of Commons IS sup
posed to breathe. do not think the Liberal party
can afford to lose such man, and the more judi
ciOus of that party may well rejoice that MI
| Goschen is TO be spared to them. Before the next
| Liberal Ministry comes into power, the question
| which divides Mr.. GOschen from his associates Is
likely to have been disposed of. He may then ac-
cept accomplished facts, and again enter the
| Cabinet But whether he does or not, he remains
vitalzing force in the party and powerful cham
pion of that reasoned Liberalism which is III no
little danger of being Oyerborne for the time by
Radcalism Of the more rampant SORT
In default of Mr. Goschen, the choice of the
Cabinet now falls. it is said. Mr. Arthur Peel
1t is surprising that lie not pitched on before,
for he strikes just the man for the place, sup
posing as so often happens. that the mere holding
a place so dIgnlied should develop IN him littlc
more authority and force Of character. Suavity he
has. and good BIRTH and position and experience of
the most useful kind The youngest son OF Sir
Robert Peel. an Eton and oxford man, with plenty
of practice in departmental Office an ex-whip.
Though not serving during any session. popular
and respected what more cOuld you ask unless 1t bc
q greater measure of that robust strength which Is.
after all one of the most indispensable qualihca-
tons for an office of the most laborious kind
The Spcakership is discussed if 1t were in the
gift of the Ministry bat of course it IS not, in
| theory The Ministry as such have more TO do
with choosing Speaker than any other hall dozen
or so members of the House But they represent the
| majority of the House. and il is well understood
that whomsoeyer they designate for the post will
be elected If it had been Mr.. GosChen there would
have been no opposition, unless perchance from
those Irishmcn who oppose anything that may be
accountable TO the House because il is acceptable TO
the House Bat Mr.. Pcels position Is one which the
, Tories may think justifes them in challenging q
contest. They will b sure to he beaten, but they
would Law a foundat IN, think the more Jealous
of Them for driving out Mr.. Peel and putting in a
man of their own whenever they have the good
lnck to be i'll a majority. Their man would be Mr
Raikes
Nothing has lately been heard of the objection &c
Mr.. Lowell as Lord Rector of st. Andrews ant
7 presume it will not be pressed Mr. Gibson may
t probably be trusted to oppose any attempt at un
= seating successful competitor for reasons of {
nurely technical kind. 1t has to be said, however
: that the opinion Of Lord Sclbornc, which wa
Notl ing has lately been heard of the objection L
4 Mr.. Lowell az Lord Rector Of St. Andrews, and
presumc it will not be pressed Mr.. Gibson mal
probably be trusted to oppose any attempt ut un
seating successful competitor for reasons OF I
4 purely technical kind 1t has to be said, however
I that the opinion of Lord Sclbornc, which was be
lieyed TO be in favor of Mr.. Lowell turns out to b.
!, against him. Lord Sclbone was applied to beior
the election took place. He thought foreign Min
istcr or Ambassador Ineligible not because he Is al
alien hut because, in case of malversatlon or ms
feasopcc in Office the University would have m
: legal redress against its Lord Rector. Diplomatic
privilege would protect him if he made away Will
; tbe funds intrusted to him. believe no funds are
Z in fact. ntrustcd to him, and Lord Selbornes Oh
+ lection seems more ingenious than sound. lie him
self describes his opinion as of little value lie
8 not Scottish lawyer and tho Scottish law can b
: understood by no mar who has not made spcca
study of it. English onalogies and arguments Oh
scottish point are more likely to be misleading thai
/ illustrative II legal opinion be necessary, that 0
, tho Lord Advocate would be the right one to have
@ But as | said it will probably not be necessary
4 The zeal Of the Conservative youth of the Uni
yersity, kindled by contest, has had time to cool
They will feel as their elders feel that it would b.