Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-02-28
GLADSTONE'S EYESIGHT
It Is Believed That He Must
Soon Retire.
AN OPERATION TO BE PERFORMED.
There Are Many Reports That His Resig-
nation Will Soon BE Sent In, and the
Named His Successor.

LONDON, Feb 2S.-The Chronicle says
that the retirement of Mr. Gladstone is inn
minent. 1t is almost an open secret that
his eyesight is no longer equal even to the
least important duties of a political leader.
All stories of dissension or disappointment
at legislation being baked may be dis
missed as wholly unaffecting his decision.
When Mr.. Gladstone resigns the wand,
it will be because his hand can no longer
WELD it, and for no other reason whatever.
1t is probable that no decision has yet
been reached as to the moment of his resg-
nation. 1t is announced that Mr.. Sexton,
NJ. p. for Kerry, has already taken steps
to obtain pledges with regard to home rule
in the event of Lord Rosebery or the Earl
of Spencer becoming premier.
The Standard believes it is fact that
Mr.. Gladstone's eyesight is growing much
worse and that an operation will soon be
necessary. Recognizing this fact, Mr.. Glad
stone informed his colleagues that his early
retirement was inevitable, but he hoped
that it would be only temporary. He told
them that he would resume the premier
ship should his eyes become strong enough
to warrant it.
Rosebery's Leadership Acceptable.
The Times thinks that the denial of Mr..
Gladstone's actual resignation may be ac-
Cepted without question by those unable to
adopt the inference that the alarm in the
Radical camp was altogether Causeless,
but it can hardly be doubted that Il semi
official denial signifies a postponement of
the crisis Lord Rosebery's leadership
would be far more satisfactory to the coun-
try generally than that of any other Glad
stOnian
The Daily News says that Nr. Gladstone
L., II.
signing. The Earl of Rosebery's visit to
the queen had no relation, it adds, to the
current political rumors.
The Daily News, further commenting on
the rumors about Mr.. Gladstone, says that
in view of his age it is only right that the
Liberals should consider the future. If the
intilmities of age make his onerous duties
irksome, it would be iuhuman to keep Mr..
Gladstone at his post merely because of a
difference of opinion prevailing in reference
to the choice of his successor. The Daily
! News strongly recommends the Earl of
! Rosebery, but adds that there will be no
whisper of diScontentment with Mr.. Glad
stones supremacy so long as he is willing
TO remain supreme.
In an interview Chairman Cowan of the
Midlothian Liberal association stated that
Mr.. Gladstone had often said to him that
he would take the earliest opportunity for
resigning.
The Trades Union council has issued a
manifesto in regard to the action of the
house of lords on the employers liability
bill The manifesto appeals to the work
ingmen of Great Britain not to allow a
body of irresponsible Legislators to block
industrial progress.
1t adds that the present crisis affords an
excellent occasion to drive home an effect
i've lesson of resistance to such violent and
arbitrary power. 1t concludes by urging
the attendance of workingmen at a great
demonstration to be held in Hyde park on
March Is and also asks them to join in the
procession to the meeting place.