Omaha daily bee., 1888-02-19
TORYISM TOTTERINC.
Cracks Appear In the Walls Of the
English Ministry.
LAST FRIDAYS BIG FlSSURE.
A Crushing Blow Received at the
Southwark Election.
HOME RULERS IN HIGH GLEE.
Goschen Makes q Lamentable Fall
ure in the Commons.
HOME RULERS IN HIGH oLEE.
oLApsToNE's HEALTH GOOD.
His Voice and General Condition
Greatly Improved Conservatives
Casting Wistful Eyes Toward
Lord Randolph Churchill.
The Uncertainty of Politics.


LONDON, Feb. 1s-[New York Herald
Cable-Special to the BEE. Even in this
uncertain world there is nothing so uncer-
tain as politics A few days ago all seemed
bright and clear in the ministerial firmanent.
Yesterday an earthquake happened, and al
though the fabric stands, there are ominous
cracks and fssures visible in the walls. To
make light of the Southwark election, as the
Times does, is ridiculous. The majority Of
113 against the conservatives at the last
election has now rolled up to majority Of
nearly twelve hundred. "Not much Of a
shower" says the Times. To less partial
eyes it looks like the beginning of deluge.
Friday was an unlucky day for the tory
party. They were terribly beaten in South
wark. andI their champion, Mr.. Goschen,
made great fiasco in the house Of commons.
1t was night of excitement and surprise
Gladstone delivered what all sides admit to
be masterpiece of eloquence. For two
hours this old man Of seventy-nine held the
house entranced, winding up with burst Of
defamation which carried the whole au-
storm.
Another man might well feel what gi-
gantic task it was to reply to such speech.
Goschen evidently did feel it. From the first
| moment he stumbled, hesitated, turned back
wards and forwards and finally lost himself
altogether. He deals in puerile personalities,
laboring long at trivial points. He challenged
interruption and then was disconnected by it
| and finally got off the track altogether and
bumped along anyhow until he went to
| pieces. more ignominous collapse never
| seen. Goschen seems to have but one
speech. He has made it too often, and now 1
| think the conservatives will shortly begin to
askcthemselues whether he is so good a
bargain for them as they fancied this time
| last year.
There are now several other elections pend
| ing If the tide flows as it did at Southwark,
what will it portenda Nothing the London pa
pers will keep on saying. venture to tell you
different story .uFresh reverses will point to
the absolute necessity of recon-
struction of the ministry. They
might point to something more important
still, eventually, but reconstruction could not
be postponed. What sort Of reconstruction
To be of any value, it must weld all unionists
together and consequently unite in one min
istry Harrington, Churchill, Chamberlain
and limited selection from the present gov
ment.
So much for the personnel. This is what
already cabled as the unionists' second line
Of defense, the necessity for which has come
sooner than I..expected. Then, as to meas
ures, will it do to depend any longer
upon the coercion billa 1 have not
time to produce the local government bill for
Ireland. Apparently the ministry say no be-
cause it specially excludes Ireland from their
forthcoming bill Where will that leave
thema Many conservatives are deeply
pledged to vote for sweeping measures Of re-
form in the Irish local government. The lib
eral-unionists could scarcely oppose them
To announce that Ireland shall be held down
and nothing be considered for her welfare,
that may be in accordance with the
programme Of twenty years OF a resolute
government, but it is bound to lead Mr.. Glad
stone back to the treasury bench. He is
more confident than ever of getting there be-
fore many months are over. have not seen
him looking so well for several years. His
voice is decidedly stronger than it was two
years ago. His great strength as an orator
and debater brings out into startling relief
the weakness of the ministerial spokesman.
The Irish members also present a more
formidable front since the return Of William
O'Brien. never heard more passionate
speech or a more scathing piece of invective
than that which he delivered ON Thursday.
Healy is back and so are Arthur O'Connor,
Lord Mayor Sullivan, Dillon, Timothy Har-
rington and everybody Of note except Sexton,
who still remains very i'll. Gilhooly, lately run
in, made his appearance Friday night, being
out on bail. The seven released prisoners
sat nearly together. When the news from
Southwark came in they seemed inclined to
lead the storming party to the tory benches
and sweep them clear. William O'Brien
stood up fourishing his hat in the highest
state of excitement. Harrjngton's shouts
might have been heard across the Thames.
They did not look much like cowed and de-
feated men.
Great consultations have taken place to-
day over the altered position. Crowds Of
members have thronged the Reform and
Caelton clubs. Mr.. Gladstone was seen by
many of his chief supporters, and is known
that he is planning an unpleasant surprise
for the ministry.
Lord Harrington is confined TO his room
with severe cold, but Sir Henry James and
other friends have been admitted TO an inter
view with HIM.
Wistfui eyes are cast by the conservatives