The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-30
4 BIT OF ENGLISH POLITICS.
dow Joseph Chamberlain and the Caucus
Were Defeated.
Especial Correspondence

]
Were Defeated.
Especial Correspondencel
BIRMINGHAM, Eng, March i0-Tt is moral
! ly certain that every guide book, historical
! or other description of Birmingham refers to
! the town somewhere as the birthplace or
''home of the caucus Englishmen do not
| seem to know that the caucus is Of American
origin. Perhaps they have forgotten that it
was in vogue in Boston before the Revolu-
! ton, and that one Samuel Adams was a con-
/ troiing figure in it, From its successful
! operations have arisen the political conven-
tons Of America, the secret work of the eau
Gus proper havirr beel extended to public
| discussions. The lcus in England has al.
ways been private, and today it can hardly
be said to exist at all.
In Joseph Chamarrlain's youth it was in its
glory, and LIE made it the direct stepping
stone TO high position. Through the caucus
he ruled the town, for Liberalism was mora
prevalent in Bum. nam then than now
Not an office was flied before the caucus had
quietly decided who should be the successful
candidate, and no measure Of reform or i'm
provement was passed without its assent.
The Conservatives, or Tories, naturally felt
rebellious, but they could not help themselves
for many years
One of the earliest blows struck successful
" at the power Of the caucus was delivered
by I gentleman who has been during his
whole business carer an employee of the
United States government. This is Mr. J. F.
Brame, United States wee consul a. Birming-
ham. Mr. Brane entered the service Of the
American consul as clerk nearly thirty years
ago, and gradually rose TO his present posi-
ton, the HIGHEST he can hold under the United
States govJnm . unless he should change
his allegiance and become an American citi-
zen He had neither fortune ncr family to
assist him IN making place for himself, and
be was a Conservative in a Liberal commu-
nifty.
One day he walked up with the idea that he
would like to be a magistrate. The estima
ton in which judge is held in America is
no criterion for Judging of a similar officer
here. An English mag .strate is a very I'M
pOryant, highl respected and influential mem
Der Of the community. Mr. Brame had to
admit that the case was well nigh hopeless,
but he went TO work, nevertheless, to secure
the prize Magistrates are appointed bv the
lord chancellor, generally upon the recon-
mendatIOn Of residents Of the town under
consideration. There was no vacancy in the
board. but that didn't matter if the lord
chancellor could be persuaded to make an
appointment. dr. B"alne told his friends
what he wanted. and together they went to
work 10 get up a petition asking for his APP
poinancnt. It was circulated quietly, and 50
well was the candidate esteemed that many
members of the caucus itself appended their
signatures. They did so, doubtless, with the
conviction thai they would thereby make
Mr. Brame feel well, without supposing for
an instant that ne could lecure the appoint
ment.
After several months the petition was
ready, signed by nearly all the prominent
men Of the town. Mr.. Brame then took it
directly to Joseph Chamberlain. Offering to
permit the local boss to put it through the
machinery caucus if he should wish TO.
AIr. Chamberlain was astonished at finding
so many names OF his followers on the list,
and it is said that he let loose his well known
temper with q vengeance at the caucus meet
ing. Some OF his colleagues were disposed to
the plan of strengthening the caucus by fa-
theriny Mr.. Brame's petition, but Chamber
lain knew better. lir. Brame and men like
him should be taught a lesson not to interfere
with Birmingham government unless they
were asked to by the presiding powers.
Cham0erlaluS Will was law. and the caucus
refused 10 sanction the petition.
It was accordingly returned to Mr.. Brame,
ana there everybody except tho candidate
supposed the matter was done with. Even he
was nine-JenthS in doubt, but he dispatched
his petition to the lord chancellor and pa
uently awaited the result.
About two weeks passed when tremendous
Gutter was 9ccaSIoued in the town hall by
note from the lord chancellor demanding that
the town charter be sent TO him. What
could he want with it! The question was
answered in q few days when the document I
came back from London and the town clerk /
saw that the board of magistrates had been /
increased by one, and that one was Mr. /
Brame. Ii was a sensation locally and a
most damaging blow TO Mr.. Chauberlain's /
influence. FREDERICK r. BURTON.