The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-06-24
GLADSTONE'S DOWNFALL.
His Defeat in Parliament Followed
by his Resignation.
The Tories Prepared to Take Office
Under Lord Salisbury.

A London dispatch states that the result OF
the defeat Of the government when the house
Of commons refused to pass the budget to
second reading on account Of the obnoxious
increase in the tax OH spirits has been, as
was expected, the rendering of the resigna'
tions Of Mr.. Gladstone and his ministry to
tho queen, and all Great Britain is in state
of excitement over the crisis. A good deal
Of surprise is manifested over tho
defeat of The government, which was expect
ed by the conservatives least Of all. 1t was
known that an effort would be made to de-
feat the clause III the budget increasing tho
duties upon beer and spirits, but nobody
imagined that the opposition would succeed
| In overturning the government as 1T has
| done. Tho disaster arose more from over
confidence on the part of the liberals than
| from the strength OF the conservatives. Many
of Mr. Gladstones party supporters in the
house had become dissatisfied with his man.
agcment Of the Russo-Afghan question, and
| they thought that the vote on tho budget
would afford q good opportunity to express
their displeasure With this object in view
| many liberals refrained from voting, although
the party whips were freely used by the gov
ernmcnt leaders who seem to be the only
ones who realized the danger in which the nd-
ministration stood. The result was the dis
astrous defeat of the government, and this,
could be followed only by the resignation of
the ministry.
The cabinet council met ut noon and was
in session for an hour and a quarter, while
the news of its defeat in the house was being
discussed excitedly all over London and
throughout Great Britain. 1t is said that
the meeting was very stormy one. and that
| oh md n.
obliged in by the members, all of whom were
anxious to shift tho responsibility for the
disaster upon somebody's shoulders.
Of conduct to pursue in view Of
the defeat on the budget was discussed.
Every member Of the cabinet was present,
and they all agreed on one point. If on
nothing else that it twould be inconsistent to
remain longer In office. At the close of the
discussion vote was taken on the question
Of resigning, and it was unanimously re.
solved that the designations Of the ministers
should be placed In the hands Of the queen at
| once.
The fact that the ministers ihad decided to
resign became known throughout London al
most before the cabinet meeting adjourned,
and there was an unusual rush 10 the houses
Of parliament by persons anxious to be pres
ent when tho announcement should be made
|
prayers at the opening of the house was ex-
| traordnarily large and the entrances to the
parliament buildings were blocked by eager
throngs anxious to catch glimpse of the
ministers as they entered and to hear reports
of the proceedings inside.
Mr.. Gladstone entered the house Of COM
mons at few minutes after o'clock, and
perfect silence reigncd as he walked toward
the speakers desk. His face was perfectly
calm, his body was erect, and ho walked
with the firm step Of man who is wholly
lndisturbed. He paused at the speakers
| desk and held q low conversation with
Mr.. Peel, which lasted for some moments.
| The premier was smiling, and appar-
entity In tho best Of spirits, and Us
he stood talking to Mr.. Peel burst Of cheers
broke forth from the liberal members OF the
house, which soon toe k the form of an ovation.
In the midst Of the cheering Mr. Gladstone
walked to his usual seat and took it with the
air of man perfectly self-possesseCl and with
ott care on his mind. AS he sat down the
enthusiasm Of his followers was reloubled, and
cheers rent the air from oil sides OF the
chamber. The conservatives sat silent and
gazed upon the scene of excitement. The ap-
plause was continued for several minutes,
until finally the premier, in response 10 the
greeting, aroo and faced the house. This
was the signal for renewed shouting and
capping of hands. during which Mr.. Glad
stone stood still smiling bcnignly on his adj
inirers.
When silence was at length secured Mr..
| Gladstone said the cabinet had come to the
conc,ttsion that it was under an obligation to
| submit TO the queen dutiful communication.
This statement was greeted by loud cheers
| from the conservatives 1t would be pre,la.
ture on his part, the premier continued to
enter into partltu arS concerning ihe
natttre of that coninuni alton now, be-
fore it was In the possession of tho
queen. He would say, however, that, rs
on foln occasions, n few days must clapse
before tho result of the commune alton could
be arrived at so rs to make it proper to dis
close it to the house. During that interval,
Mr.. Gladstone concluded, the house would
follow is usual custom by refraining from
the transaction of its ordinary business, and
| would therefore move that the house, on ris-
| ing adjourn until Friday. The house agreed
to the motion and promptly adjourned to
Friday, rs did tho house of lords OIL molten
of Earl Granville, q few minutes
later. Although the statement Of Mr. Glad
stone did not in dra'.t terms announce tho
resignation Of the ministry, the words which
he employed arc tn s, which have been in
variub bly, used on similar occasions, and were
accepted US indicating that the designations
had been decided on and rendered to the
queen. it would have been regarded as dis
| courtesy to her majesty to have made the
announcement in any more direct form ho-
fore she Ind ad nj opportunity to accept
the resignation.
Another dispatch from Iondon states that
as to the personnel of the new ministry
nothing appeared 10 b. set lcd EXCEPT that
Lord Salisbury would le the premier and
that Lord Randolph Churchill would have
place in the cabinet The illness OF ST" Stat
ford Northcote came at an inopportune time,
rs it would prevent him from accepting the
portfolio that would undoubtedly be offered
| 10 him.