New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-04-06
w. E. FORSTER DEAD.
THE END OF A LONG ILLNESS.


SKETCH OF HIS CAREER IN PARLIAMENT HIS
STORMY LOT AS CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRE
LAND.
LONDON, April 5.-The Right Honorable Will
lam E. Forster Member of Parliament for Bradford died
to-day at his town residence He had been confined to
his house by illness since February.
The eminent English statesman, whose death, after q
long Illness announced in the foregoing Dispatch
Invested with especial interest Americans His
father. William Forster minister OF the Society Of
Friends, who took great interest in the antslsvery
movement, and visited this country many years ago In
Its behalf He died while here, and his body remains I'm
grave at Friendsvle. Tennessee. Twelve years ago
the to the United States to visit that grave
and left splendid monument to his fathers memory In
the form Of liberal endowment Of Friends school
that place. by which young men and women Of moderate
means enabled to education which other
wise would be beyond their reach Another claim he
had upon this country his attitude during the War
OF the Rebellion Through thick and thin he upheld the
Federal Government and opposed the recognition OF JEFF
Davss Confederacy" II largely due to his vigor
utt erances in Parliament that the British Govern
ment restrained from dsregardng the blockade Of
the rebel ports and through all the wranglng the
Alabama claims" he remained the friend OF the United
States.
William Edward Forster born July IL, 1918. at
Bradpole. Dorsetshirc, England He educated at
Friends school at Tottenham. married daughter Of the
famous DR.. Arnold Of Rugby and settled at Bradford.
engaging there in the manufacture OF wOrsted goods
His entry into politics was effected comparatively late
IN fe his first essay tho direction OF Parliamentary
honors being in April 1859, when he q candidate
for Leeds but beaten In February 1881. however,
he elected Liberal representative OF Bradford,
which borough he has been chosen every succeed
ing election. In November 1865. Lord Russell made
Under Secretary for the Colonies VIII CHI office he
held until the party went out OF power eight months
later whom he followed his chief into the Opposition
ranks. He was colleague In Lord Russelps Govern
ment with Mr.. GoscheD who was also making his FIRST
official appearance, and the appointment Of these two
new men was regarded as concession to advancing
Liberal opinion, they both inclinng then toward Radi
calism Mr. Forster was only known by the position he
had taken In debates the Rebellion IN the United
States but he already deemed strong debater and
apt Parliamentarian When Mr.. Gladstone be-
Premier Ia 1868 Mr.. Forster became
| Vice President of tho Committee of Coun-
ell Of Education and admitted to the Cabinet Ia
1870. His Office at that particular time OF mpor-
second only that OF the Prime Minister and he
quickly to a commanding position IN British pol
itcs. The first great measure introduced by him
the Education bill of 1870. This important por-
OF Mr. Gladstone's famous work Of reform. and
entire reorganization reconstruction
Of the educational system OF the Kingdom England had
eected the education Of the children Of the poor most
shamefully. Fully two-thirds of the children OF the
country entirely without school privileges Mr..
ForsteTs established the present comprehen
sve system OF local school boards FREQ schools where
necessary from the National Treasury and ai
with the existing denominational schools
The scheme was complex one, and met with much OPP
position, principally from the Nonconformists VINO
broke away from tho Government In a body They main
tained that no State aid should be given to any
schools save those that strictly secular
and undenominatonal. On tbis ground long aud
bitter waged between Mr. Forster and the Non
conformiss. and he more than once ayaled himself Oh
Conservative support thus bringing upon himself the
reproach OF beng a trimmer" However, the Eduea-
ton bill became law, and proved great success Just
year later. February, 1871 Mr. Forster introduced
his second great measure, the Ballot bill. Its principal
features beDS introduction OF tho systems Of secret
voting and registration, corresponding In the main with
the merican form OF election. The proposed changes
appealed to all common sense and fairness, But for
political the Conservatives strongly opposed the
bill and delayed Its passage In the Commons un I'll
August TO- when 1t to the Lords and there
rejected the ground that there not time enough
left In session for consideration Of IT, The next
session, however it became law and its results have
since given universal satisfaction.
Mr.. Gladstone withdrew from the leadership Of the
Liberal party in 1875. Among the candidates for the
succession we're John Bright Mr. Lowe, Mr.. Goschen
Sir William Harcour Lord Harrington and Mr. Forster
race but the last two named. Mr.. Forster at first
tho favorite. But IL was observed that the NOncon-
and he was passed over ana Lord Hartng
ton chosen. Mr. Forster continued to hold high
rank In the councils Of the party however and In April
1880 when Mr.. Gladstone resumed office, he was made
Chief Secretary for Ireland In that position be had
stormy lot He urged through the Commons various re-
lief measures intended to amelorate the condition OF
affairs Among them were the Compensation
and Registration bills. But the Lords rejected them
Then with the growth OF the agrarsn troubles he deter
mined upon coercion last resort He managed sue
cessfuy the Land bill OF 1881, but coupled with 1t
stringent measure OF coercion Then no had tue
Land League proclaimed illegal ana arrested
Mr. Parne and hundreds of other League leaders This
made him object hatred to the Irish agi-
tators every where. He was called Buckshot Forster
hooed at i'll the streets OF Dublin and London, aud
threatened repeatedly with death To all this pother he
paid attention. but held peslsteny to the course ne
had mapped out until Mr. Gladstone changed his policy
and made tho famous " kimanhsm Treaty" Then
Lord Cowper, the Vceroy and Secretary Forster re-
signed In May 1882. In his speech on that occasion
besto wed upon Mr. Parne the title be has ever
since proudly worn, The Uncrowned King OF ireland
The appointment OF Lord Frederick Cayendsh and the
awful tragedy OF Phoenix Park followed After his res
gnaon Mr. Forster steadily opposed concession pol
Icy Of Mr. Gladstone, and on various occasions voted