The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-03-29

ham. Indeed, he suffers so much, and
so obviously, from even an occasional
indulgence in claptrap, that, from the
point of view of mere effect, it would be
better if he did not indulge in it at all.
Mr.. Morley shows more to advantage ia
withstanding popular pressure applied in
furtherance of unreasonable demands,
than he does in catering for popular ap-
plause on the platform. An instance of
the truth of this occurred a few days
ago in Newcastle-on-Tyne, the borough
which he represents in parliament. He
was waited upon by a deputation of
workmen, who, in an ingenious series of
questions, sought to commit him to
declaration in favor of an eight hour
labor law to be made applicable at once
to all the industries of the country. He
declined firmly to commit himself, and
as the deputation proceeded to argue the
point, he stated number of strong rea-
sons in opposition to their proposals, one
Of which was that an immediate diminu-
ton of the hours of labor would result
In proportionate diminution in wages,
and he was not prepared to bring about
such a result until he knew that the
working classes themselves desired it.
At a public meeting of his constituents
held on the evening following that on
which he was interviewed, his position
was sustained by an unanimous vote of
confidence. -
Mr.. Morley is the first instance in Eng
land of a man stepping from an editors
desk to a seat in the cabinet. In France
such q transition is common enough;
there authors and journalists in far
greater number than any other class Of
the community occupy the official places
which in England are reserved chiefly
for successful barristers and wealthy
country gentlemen. 1t was in the col
umns of The Pail Mall Gazette that Mr..
Morley, by his strenuous opposition to
the Irish administration of the late Mr..
Forster, first made his mark in politics.
In Mr.. Gladstone's cabinet at that time
there were believed to be two parties,
one favoring coercion and led by Mr..
Forster, and one opposing coercion, OF
which Mr.. Chamberlain was the leader.
Thanks to the daily onslaughts of The
Pail Mall Gazette, Mr.. Chamberlain's
section prevailed and Mr.. Forster re-
signed. Mr.. Morley was known to
have been the author of the attacks on
Mr.. Forster's policy, and as they were
supposed to have been inspired by Mr..
Chamberlain the formers entrance into
parliament was watched with great in
terest The first impression he created
was not favorable, owing to delivery
which want of practice in public speak
ing had left defective; but the matter of
what he said soon compelled attention,
and those who had read his books came to
beas much interested in his speech as they
had been i'm his writing. His adhesion
to Mr.. Gladstone's home rule policy could
surprise no one who was acquainted with
his earlier views about Ireland.
-
1t is now some ten years since ! first
made the acquaintance of Mr.. Morley.
He was then living at Berkeley Lodge,
Putney, western suburb Of London. He
had invited me there to luncheon, and
the conversation turned on parliament
airy affairs, Of which ] had then five
years personal experience as member
of the house. remember he questioned
me particularly as to the position and
prospects of certain prominent members,
not yet in the front rank, and wound up
by propounding a series of objections to
home rule, which he invited me to an
swer. responded to the best of my abil-
ity, and, at his request, embodied my
answers in an article for The Fortnightly
Review, of which he was then editor.
The article, entitled "Fallacies Concern
ing Home Rule" duly appeared. and ]