The new North-west., 1885-06-12
GLADsToNE's ADMINISTRATION
ENDED.

England Is In the heat of political crisis
and transformation as intense and extreme
as that which recently marked the change
from Republican TO Democratic administra-
tion In the United States. The Gladstone
ministry having been defeated in the vote on
what is known as "the budget" followed
established English precedent and resigned.
A new Cabinet will doubtless be formed at
once, composed Of the opposition to Glad
stones policy, both home and foreign. It Is
probable the new Cabinet will be composed
entirely of Tories. The immediate occa-
sion Of the defeat was the proposed increase
Of duties OH spirits and beer to meet the
Sl0o, ,O00, 900 expenditure principally incurred
In the Soudan and Russian complications.
The opposition and Gladstone rallied all
their forces to meet on this as test ques-
tion, and the opposition triumphed; but this
was only one of several issues on which the
power of .'the grand old man" was to be
contested, and 1t is perhaps IS well for him
that the overthrow came In the fret shock.
The Cabinet has been divided against itself,
and so violent has been the discussion that
at least two OF the members threatened their
resignation If the Irish Grimes Act were
again presented even in the modified form
which Gladstone had conceded. Under
these circumstances, with radical diversity
Of sentiment concerning several important
features nf the nav Tih.-~I platform, and
with fostered British indignation over the
war questions, the Liberals were 50 heavily
handicapped that success seemed scarcely
possible. With the ministry dissolved and
Gladstone free, he, If he wills, may 60 before
the country and by his character, ability
and elsqusnce revolutionize public senti.
nent, and so it is perhaps better for his
cause that he Is iced from Office. England
is ON the verge of radical reforms in the
composition and tenure OF its House Of
greater distribution Of titles in fee; in the
Relation Of its governmental policy toward
Ireland and more liberal system of educa-
tion. Mr.. Gladstone Is undoubtedly the
greatest statesman in England-a great,
grand man. He took the Premiership with
an entail of foreign complications and poll.
cies that he could not adjust without great
wars aud from these he shrank. Notwith.
standing, Russia appears to have appreciated
| his sacri6cial friendship to the extent Of
finally concediDg much which she sthsrwise
might have retained. The recent Russo Eng
lish embrogIio was first and last q grievous
humiliation to the pride of Great Britain.
! The Soudan affair was even greater grief,
for to the fact that she was contendng with
pitiful, unarned natives was added the sor-
row that England failed in all her enter
prses in Egypt and left the graves Of her
heroes in the hands Of her foes. These are
really the issues England took with Glad
stone and 1t was these that overwhelmed
him. 1t Is forgotten for the time that these
troubles were legacies from DTsraeli's ad.
mInistration which could not be refused and
1t will pass into history that Glsdstone's
abilities did not reach 10 the glorious con-
duct of the nation through troublous wars.
His strength of administration and the issues
of the times were out of joint. Although it
Is predicted to the contrary, 1t does not seem
probable the Russian troubles will be re-
opened at present, and with the concessions
Russia has made at the last moment, 1t does
not seem best. Ferry and Gladstone have
with strange coincidence been hurled from
power at the very moment when the best
fruits of their policies we're being disclosed.
The Soudan sffair is settled and England
new has . breathing spell to establish and
fortIfy Its frontier of India for the inevitable
and stupendous conflict, not many years of,
when Russia will start on its march TO the
sea. In the meantime the deposed Premier,
If be will, can devote his great energies to
the political and industrial advancement of
England which was unhappily overshadswed
and retarded during his administration.
Gladstone is still the power behind the
throne and the most influential leader in
England.