The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-08-18

I66 NEW MINISTRY.
For the fourth time Mr.. Gladstone
finds himself at the head of a Ministry
of his own formation. Tohave been four
times Prime Minister of Great Britain is
a remarkable record. and the circum-
stances of his present assumption of
power will sustain Mr.. Gladstone's claim
to be called grand old man.
The new Cabinet contains some sur
priscs, and is severely criticised in some
quarters, but it will probably grow upon
acquaintance. The dissatisfaction seems
to grow out of personal disappointments,
for there is no indication that the Cabi-
net is weak one or not truly represent
alive of Liberal principles. Mr.. Glad
stone knows his men, several of whom
have served in former Cabinets formed
by him. and it is too soon to say that he
has made any serious mistakes.
The most important and difficultques-
ton the new Ministry will have to deal
with is that of homo rule in Ireland, and
Mr.. Gladstone's appointments for Ire
land were awaited with special interest.
His Chief Secretary Of State for Ireland,
the Right Honorable John Morley, is q
man of large experience in public af-
fairs, has been q consistent advocate of
home rule for many years. and held this
same Office in the last Cabinet formed
by Mr.. Gladstone. The Irish members
ought to be we'll satisfied with him.
The other important Office for Ireland,
that of Viceroy, is filled by Baron
Houghton, whose family name is Robert
Mines. He is q son of Monckton
Mines, a second-rate politician and
poet and the son has also published
volume of verses. Though he does not
rate high as a statesman, he is said to
be man of excellent attainments and
quite equal to the position to which he
has been called. He is comparatively a
young man. having been born in 1858.
There is no good reason why the Irish
members should object to his appoint
ment as Viceroy. especially before he
has had trial.
The new Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Sir William Harcourt, is widely known
as Liberal leader. He is man of
brilliant parts. aud held the same Office
in the last Cabinet formed by Mr.. Glad
stone. There can be no question as to the
fitness of this appointment. He has been
in Parliament since 1868, and, besides at
tending to his political duties, has been
professor of international law in the
University of Cambridge.
Lord Rosebery, Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, is a Scotch peer, a
strong Liberal and very popular. He
has had large experience in public af-
fairs, was Foreign Minister in the last
Gladstone Cabinet, and is regarded as
one of the ablest of British diplomates.
He is very wealthy. having inherited
large estates in his own right and mar
ried daughter of Baron Rothschild.
Next to the Chancellor of the Excheq-
uer in the order of rank in the Cabinet
comes the Home Secretary, and this
place is filled by Mr.. Herbert III. Asquith.
He is Scotchman by birth, lawyer by
profession and universally regarded as a
very able one. He is forty years old,
and has been in Parliament only six
years. He is good speaker, brilliant
debater, and will doubtless take lead
ing part in the defense of the new Min
istry's measures.
These are the most prominent men,
bers of the Cabinet, but the remainder
of the list contains the names of some
very capable men and some of brilliant
records. One of these, Sir George Otto
Trevelyan, Secretary for Scotland. is a
nephew of the late Lord Macaulay, of
whom he wrote a charming biography.
He has filed various important positions
in former Cabinets, though it is the opin-
ion of some that he would have achieved
greater distinction in literature than he
has in politics.
There are q few make-weights and
comparative nonentities in the Cabinet,
but as whole it is strong one. Mr..
Gladstone could not satisfy everybody,
but he has formed Cabinet that ought
to satisfy all reasonable Liberals and
which is thoroughly representative of
progressive sentiment in Great Britain.