Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-04-03
JOHN BRIGHT DEAD.
Deaths Wings Touch the Mansion
Rochdale, England.

DO0tA wings IOuCh the mansion at
ROchdale, England.
LONDON, March 27.-John Bright
author, statesman, reformer-is dead.
The end came at $50 this morning
peaceful and painless. The sufferer
had lain In comatose state since yes
terday, and for ten hours had.gradually
grown weaker until the spark of life
went out without a struggle. All of the
members of the family were present at
the end.
Mr.. Bright was i'll for six months or
more. During the long months of suf-
ferlng he lay in his beautiful mansion at
Rochdale, but short walk from the
busy, Lancashire borough. The building
stands on the crown of a gentle rise.
having wide outlook, and below it are
seen the works and factory buildings of
the firm. His dwelling is large.
square. roomy brick building Of two
stories, and basement. It is without
any architectural pretensions except
That given 1t by due regard to proper
tlOn. 1t has IN an eminent degree the
British Ideas of comfort and solidity.
with its clean walls, it's bright, clear.
large windows OF crown plate glass, set
OF by ample and spotless curtains: it's
wide doorway, and the lovely lawn.
shrubbery, and fower-beds, in the
midst of which it stands, and which fiji
large area for a town residence.
Mr.. Bright was born at Greenbank. a
short distance from the place where he
died. on November 16, 1911. His faith
er, Jacob Bright, was a cotton spinner.
and his sons, John, Jacob and Richard
followed in the footsteps of their father
The old mills are still standing-small.
unpretentious structures that are now
used as storehouses. John Bright en-
tered his fathers mills at the age of Is.
uevoting his spare time to the study OF
history, politics and national economy.
In 1881 he made his first appearance as
a public speaker in the agitation against
church rates, and later became widely
known by the part he took in the Anti.
Corn Law League and its movement for
the repeal Of the corn law.
In his prime John Bright was of the
same stature as Henry Ward Beecher,
though considerably heavier than the
plymouth pastor in middle age. His
large, square face was OF the finest f1orid
English type, full and open, with q high.
broad forehead and round head. ONLY
short slde-whlskers were worn, and his
thin hair was long silvery white. His
WAS most attractive, kindly, intellect
ual face, open and winning, while show
ing IN the square, firm cnin and strong
lined mouth the courage and tenacity
he has shown throughout his public ca
reer.
In Commons Mr.. Bright early took
leading part in the movement in favor
of financial reform. He demanded re-
Lief measures for Ireland, and other re-
forms. In 1850 he opposed Lord Rus.
sells ecclesiastical title bill and Lord
Palmerston's continental policy. Mr..
Bright's name. during the past twenty
years, has been prominently identified
with the extension of the right of suf.
frage and the reform of the electoral
laws of England. During the civil war
IN America he was the most earnest
friend of the North in all England. In
1868 Mr.. Bright became a member OF
Mr.. Gladstoue's first cabinet, retiring in
1870 owing to illness. Many selections
from his political speeches have been
published in book form.
In the House of Commons TO- day the
Rt. Hon. William II. Smith, the govern
ment leader. with much emotion, re-
ferred to the death of Mr.. Bright. He
said that he would postpone his re-
marks on Mr.. Bright until Friday, when
Mr.. Gladstone would be present. Mr..
Morley thanked Mr.. Smith for his con-
slderatlon in regard to Mr.. Gladstone.
At the time OF his death Mr.. Bright
represented the Central division of Biz
~ the House.