Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-02-07
GARFIELD IN THE HOUSE
OF COMMONS.
His Opinion of Gladstone, Mill and
Other Noted English Leaders.

Scf1DGu as IOlIOWS. w HtH lleHlUcF
read a petition of four thousand citizens
of Birmingham in favor of Lord Cairn' S
amendment for a third vote in tripartite
constituencies, Bright followed with a
monster petition on the other side.
Then followed a volley of questions
fired at the Administration from all
sides, and their responses. Disraeli
sat passiOnless and motionless, except
trotting OF the foot, Indicative Of a
high pitch OF intellectual activity and
expectancy. His face reveals nothing.
The most pointed illusions, either of
logic, fact, or wit, fail to move a mus
Gle or change q line of the expression.
cat ), the Reform Bill is announced,
and al sounds subside in the crowded
hall-so full that several members sit
IN the gallery. Disraeli, in very calm
somewhat hating way, goes over the
chief points of the Lords amendments,
puts them very adrOitly, and in very
conciliatOry tone speaks about twenty
minutes. Meanwhile, Bright has been
sitting on the second row, and next the
gangWaY, taking n note now and then,
manifesting q little nervousness in the
hands and fingers, and occasionally
passing his hand over his ample fore
head. Mill is settled down in his seat,
with his chin resting in the palm of his
hand, and giving close attention, as he
does to everything that passes. BY the
way, his face greatly disappoints me in
one respect; there is nothing of the
Jovine breadth and fullness of brow |
expected; but there is 4 great depth
from brow to cerebellum, and strong,
Well-defined features. There is q nerV-
Gus tWitching of the muscles of his head
and face, which probably results from
hard work. Gladstone rises and opens
the debate on the Opposition side, in an
adroit speech Of eight minutes, evident
ly reserving himself for fuller assault
later in the evening. He is the most
un-English speaker | have yet heard,
and the best. Disraeli shows great tact
in determining how far to persist and
when to yield. In that essential point
Of leadership, Palmerston has probably
never been eXcelled. Disraei is no
mean disciple of his. Gladstone, with
more ability than either, is said to be
especially lacking in that respect
after several more amendments
have been given up with apparent re-
luctance, but for the sake of harmony,
the amendment of Lord Cairns is reach
ed, on which the ministry intends to
make q stubborn fight. Bright opens
the attack in speech of half an hour
or more. Though cordially disliked by
the Tories, he compcls attention at
once. With u form like that of Sena-
tor Wilson, of Massachusetts, he has a
large, round, full, fine, massive head.
and straight, almost delicate nose. He
has full, rotund voice. and, like Glad
stone, Is un-English in his style-that
is, he speaks right on, with but little of
that distressful hobbling which marks
the mass of Parliamentary speakers.
With all my sympathy with Bright and
the Liberals, l am inclined to favor the
amendment. remember Mills dis
cus>ion of it in his Representative Gov
eminent, and his approving reference
to the work of Hare on the same sub
iect Bright put the case very strong
~ on his side, and pointed out the
anomalies It would produce; but l
thought they would result from the linn
tied application of the principle rather
than from the principle itself | also
thought it n little inconsistent in him,
who has been so bold IN advocate for
change, to object to this as an innova-
ton. But he put his case very strong
", and made us sympathize with his
earnestness. Many speeches were lev
elcd at him; but, like all politicians, he
seems to have become pachyderm.
and paid no attention to it. Howmuch-
soeyer they may affect to despise him,
they cannot blink the fact, which even
The Times admitted this morning in
4 mean attack on him, that John
Bright was the most sEillful speaker in
England, and, in some kinds of oratOry,
the first orator.
Il notice that many of the leaders
were high honor men at the universe
ties. Gladstone took 'double-first';
Rounded Palmer took Il first in class
les, and many other classic honOrS and
prizes. Mill is not 4 University man,
but his Logic has been textbook at
Oxford for twenty years. Tom Hughes,
who made Rugby and himself immortal
was not a first-clasS scholar. Forster
IS a good speaker and a Radical, but
do not know what his scholarship was.
AT 10, Gladstone rose and spoke for
nearly an hour, going into the whole
question with great clearness and in
cisive force. He spoke with much
more feeling than any other except
Bright. Gladstone was followed by
Lowe, who is considered the strongest
man of his school in the House. He
sits on the Opposition side; but on this
question of suffrage is Conservative.
He is nearly blind and spoke without
notes and with his eyes apparently
shut. lie combines sharpness with a
remarkable toughness of intellectual
fiber, which makes him powerful as
sailant 1t was exceedingly fine, the
way he sought out and javelined the
exposed joints of his antagonists har-
ness. Gladstone WINGED manifestly.
About half-past II division was had,
which resulted: 206 against, and 258
in favor. This is a strong example of
the influence of the ministry. When
the same principle was discussed in the
Commons few weeks ago, Disraeli
made strong speech against it, and it
was negatived by 40 majority. 1t has