New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-16
GOLD MORALITY"
HIS SUCCESSOR-MR GOSCIlEN-LORD RAN
DOLPH CHURCHILL
Westminster. Oct. !

Westminster, Oct ..
1t is "a year tomorrow since w H. oih'h uieu'
and tiu its way sad 10 think how sircnely Nle
world has rolled on in the interval. There was
a time, not moro than two years slipped BY wheh
the fortunes of q great party and therefore. as
they thought, the fate of the Empire derhueu
upon the health of the plan-looking, bourgeois
gentleman whose accidentally inherited. but singh
Iarly apt family name Haunted from ali the
principal railway bookstalls south of the Tweed.
There is little doubt that had circumstances per
mitted Mr. Smith two years ago to withdraw
from the turmoil of the House of Commons ana
take his wcll-earned rest in the Lords his genial
presence might still be with us. But II was
acutelv felt in the then Cabinet that such an
event would bring on chaos. After Mr.. omnh
the Delrge. II was rot much that ne was
doing admirable work as leader Of the House OF
Commons. as that his Withdrawal from the scene
would create vacancy that must forthwith oc
filed up, and who 70 fill It? rive years
ago that would have been question that answered
itself II Is an open secret that part OF inc prie
paid 70 Mr. Goschen for his apostasy was
promise OF the succession 10 the leadership III te
House Of Commons When he joined the MIL
istry Of his lifelong political opponents there was
no one else in the running. Lord lfahdoiph
Churchill had rist severed himself from his old
colleagues. and they were only TOO eager TO adopt
any expedient that would prevent his return
Mr.. Arthur Balfour still Secretary for Scot
land, and had not Yet had opportunity 70 d"vciop
those powers which later surprised the House OF
Commons Mr. Smith had been nominated -
succeed Lord Randolph, an arrangement Regarded
at the time as a temporary From the first
he had been the utility man of Lord SalisoNry'S
Administration Whenever the Ministry was
NJ, Srit MAS ,oyp1 about
10 the Admiralty in 1867 to the War Office In
1880. and in the greatest crisis of all, with
which the year sS7 opened, to the post Of leader
of tho House Of Commons He had done well
in bis modest way at whatever post of d'fty he
had boon stationed. He could not do any harm
as leader OF the House Of Commons while the
belated Premier turning round recovering
from the dazed condition into which he had been
plunged by the resounGing whack Unexpectedly
dealt him by Lord Randolph Churchill on Christ
mas Eve Had NJ Carnot been born an English
man and Mr. Smith Frcnchman they womb IN
similar circumstances have filed with equal sue
cess each others place. They both chanccd to
be on the spot at a critical moment. an" were
elected TO their high position fautc de mleuN'
In course of time, Mr. Smith, like NJ. Carnot,
quietly, unconscious of design, worked himself
into a position of indispensability. Two years
ago every one knew uidt Hc i'uioihNN VII N"N
Treasury Bench only at the peril of his life.
His kindly. honest nature. his true gentemanhood
had inspired even the sons and cousins of Mar
ouises and Dukes who formed the majority OF
his colleagues, with feelings of esteem and per-
sonal affection. They were always ready % ease
his lahors, and were insistent upon hia making
little HOLIDAYS But as long as he had any work
to do "Old Morality" did II with all his heart
and soul To quote one of the little phrases con-
etant repetition OF which endeared him % the
House of Commons. duty to his queen ana
country" was his lodcstar and governed every
action The last time he was Seen IN IN" House
Of Commons was in July Of last year. perlod
that passes for Summer in London. Members on
both sides had so far yielded 10 the traditions OF
the almanac as to array themselves in white
waistcoa.s light clothing ana white hats. Old
Morality" with his face growing gray and his
smile spasmOdic, sat shivering on the Treasury
Bench with his carriage rug wrapped round MS
knees lie had 10 go at last, never came BACK
arain. and the question Of the leadership settled
itself 1t was q stroke Of good luck far Lord
Salisbury that Mr.. Smiths death took place in
the recess The old awkwardness about the selec-
ton of a successor still existed, though in modi-
fed form II would have been increased tenfold
had Mr. Smith died one Friday in the session
with the absolute necessity OF some ono appearing
In his Mace when the House met the following
Monday Happening early in October Lord Sails
bury had fully three months through which he
was called upon to make no sign, meanwhile hav-
ing the advantage of hearing the situation frankly
discussed in public and private.
II would have been an awkward thing for the
Premier. with any appearance of his own initia-
tive, 10 appoint his nephew TO the leadership or
the House OF Commons. even though there were
no question Of the nominees pre-eminent claims
to the promotion. Lord Salisbury was spared
that embarrassment by the accident Of the recess.
This gave the public opportunity to speak,
and with unanimous voice it elected Arthur Bal
four There only one possible competitor,
but the House of Commons had had enough of
Mr. Goschen. and would not have him as leader
at any price. This feeling was not confined TO
the Liberal side, whose attitude toward a COM
rade who had deserted was not likely TO be free
from prejudice The Conservatives, who had ex-
pected great things from the recruiting Of Mr..
Gadstone's most prominent financial pupil, had
been grievously disappointed The reputation of
few Chanccllors OF the Exchcqucr could survive
the necessity, following in two successive years,
Of having to take back and remodel their budget.
Apart from this Mr.. Goschcn had not come out
well of the few ful-dress rehearsals Of the part
which had been made possible for him by the
occasional withdrawal from the scene OF Mr..
Smith Up 70 the last days OF the session OF
1891 the secret agreement by which Mr.. Goschcn
tactly stepped into the shoes of the leader of the
House when their owner WAS away had been
observed. This gave the House an opportunity
of forming an opinion OF his suitability for ohe
post 1t fulfilled the purpose Of the trial services
In Nonconformst pupits. and the verdict was
emphatically against offering permanent engage
pent Thus when the crisis finally arrived AMI
. rev leader had TO be chosen Lord Salisbury
was able like Brer Rabbit. 20 " lie low and say
muffin" II awkward thing all round,
especially for Mr. Goschcn. Every one knew the
terms upon which lie had taken the Conservative