New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-20
THE GENERAL ELECTION.
LEADERS OF THE CONSERVATIVE oPPoSI.
TIoN-MR. SNIITH-NlR. GoSCHEN-
LORD R. CHURCHILL-MR.
BALFOUR.


the Government Of Lord Salisbury and bring in the
Liberals, conversation in political circles turns
upon the personal ARRANGEMENTS that will follow
On the Conservative side, uncertainty centres
round Mr. II. w. Smith. and Of course II may he
imposed upon him by the state Of his health. AS
have intimated in former letter. the mere PROD
ability is that he will not be able to resume the
leadership of the House of Commons next session.
aud his retirement 60 the serener world oil tne
House of Lords will prccipitate Ministerial read
iust1nents against the necessity for which Lord
Salisbury has long fought Mr.. Smith does not
come into the question of who shall lead the Con
sservative party In their new quarters on the Oppo
sition side. Even if his health permitted he Is
not the man for such post. lie has done en-
cellently well in office, developing just those quar-
tiles which go TO make an acceptable ieader OIL 'iie
House. But quite other qualities are needeo when
in Opposition. Lord Randolph Churchill ior eA-
annie is a model leader Of the Opposition in the
House of Cornmous-a man Of tireless energy OF
ready resources. who loves fighting for fghtings
sake. and is not overscrupuous in the steps taken
70 worr,- and barass the Government MIR. Smith
is too conventional too unenterprisng for the post
and need not be further discussed in connection
with il since he is not in the running
Tn discussions going forward here on the SUBJECT
Lord Randolph Churchill is never named as
possbe candidate. an exclusion for which substan-
tial reason may be found in a cursory glance at
the situation. Five years ago he was the princl-
pal person in the Conservative camp, not except
ing Lord Salisbury and not regarding Mr. Balfour,
who at the time filled back seat with the rank OF
Secretary for Scotland. His foot was firmly
placed on the ladder, his hand was uplfted 10
seize its topmOst rung, and it seemed that nothing
but death could interpose between him and sue
u, 11o1 bxrp ual an1
by Dsrael Lord Salisbury, it is true, stood in
his way but the obstacle was more apparent
than real Apart from circumstances of age, Vlgor
and bodily health the younger man had the en0r-
nous ADVANTAGE of being commoner. The worst
thing that ever befeil Lord ROsebery, as he some
times with grim humor admits, was the uneN-
pccted stroke of luck that made him an Earl
Had he remained a coInmOner ne would EaVe
filed a larger place in history than he is likely
TO attain now, with all his brilliant promises ana
rich opportunity. The time is fast laISlng' IL
indeed it has not gone by. when an English PrliIe
Minister shall sit in other place than the Honse
of Commons Possibly the Conservatives less
susceptible to public feeling in the matter may,
when opportunity arises find in the Peers sue
cessor 70 Lord Salisbury. But with the Liberals
the choice Of Premier is every year becoming
more vigorously limited 10 the House OF Commons
Should Mr.. Gladstone retire from public Ire during
o period when Liberals are in power this question
will create q serious difficulty. 1t is no secret
that in the inner circles of the Gladstonan regime
Earl Spencer is designated as the next Liberal
PREMIER. He is so wise a statesman, so honest
man. 50 near in sympathy with the masses, that
il is Just possible this arrangement may be carried
ont There is also the possibility of exception in
favor of Lord Rosebery, when his time comes
Rut, taking in hand the full list Of the Peerag'
YOU may look down it and viii not find the name
Of q third man who in any circumstances has
the slightest chance of being accepted by the
country as the head of the Liberal Government
Lord Randolph Churchill, with rare advantages
positive and negative, having, before he reaehel
the ace Of forty ieaped into the foremost rank OF
nolitical life. suddenly, childishy as it seemed,
chuckel away his chances Since then he has
deliberately and N,ilfully gone further down the
hill. A popular favorite. people have looked on
kindly at lis vagaries ard have always welcomed
him back on the fitful occasions when he mas
shown a disposition to take himself and lie
seriously lie has sorely tried public patience
and friendly disposition by this trip TO Mashona'
land With his customary cynical frankness, ne
has scorped 70 attempt to hide the motive
which drew him into the wilds of Africa.
He even ostentatiously paradcd it. He was going
asrn of the potential qualities of quartz-crushing
machine which ran his cases of champagne
close in the race for the most cherished place 10
his baggage and quite Obscurcd the Moliere and
Shakespeare that comprised his modest library
This was vulgar sordid motive that seemed In
compatible with the reckless, registering DISPOSE
ton that had partially endeared him TO the pub
lie Nothing has so seriously damaged him in the
public estimation as this expedition, stamped al
the ontsct with querulous complaints of the quail
ity and cooking on board the ship which poor
dumbfounded Sir Donald Currie had at consider
able expense and inconvenience arranged for his
voyage.
All this Only considered, it would not be safe x
leave Lord Randolph Churchill out Of the calcula
ton of what may happen when the Conservative
party find themselves on the Opposition benches
of the House of Commons and look round for {
leader. His only possible rival is Mr. Balfour
Their is still talk OF what is to happen to Mr.
Goschen. surprising Mr.. Smith finds it necessary
20 retire from the leadership before next session
IL is rot without significance that the inquiry com
monty takes the form. How is Mr.. GOschen TO b
disncscd of ," 1t may possibly turn out that a
o compromise upon pledges given when he desert''
his old political friends. and as, on the whole, TIN
best way ont of a difficult position, the Chancello
Of the EXchequer may be invited to step into th
place of Leader through the closing session of Par
hament. But one suggests that lac should b
leader Of the Conservative party when in the new
Parliament they cross the floor TO take their seat
on the Opposition Benches. There are only wv
uo;siblc men-Mr Balfour and Lord Randolph
Churchill ard fully admit the accuracy of th
genera opinion which regards es a Dlatter o
course Mr. Dalfour'S succession.
ANY other arrangement would be grossly unfair
Mr. Balfour has been the one unhinchingly stron
man of the Ministry Whether people agree wit
bis policy in Ireland, or dcnounce it as iniqutou'
il must be admitted that he conceived delinit
policy and that Ike has carried 1t out with inileN
IDLE courage and speculative ability. How gratefr
Parliament and the country are for the coming q
a Minister who has definite policy for Ireland
fully realized only by those who remember tn