The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-28
British Newspapers Think
Gladstone Will Resign.
EARL or SPENCER IS NAMED
AS the Probable Successor to the Pre-
miership Resignation Has
Been rendered Is Matter Of specu-
lation.


LONDON. Feb. 2s.--A physician visited
Mr.. Gladstone yesterday and remained
with him for some time, but the premier
devoted the morning to his usual official
work, and was visited frequently by the
secretary to the treasury. Mr.. Majoribanks.
The Standard believes il is fact that
Dir. Gladstone's eyesight Is growing much
worse and that an operation will seon be
necessary. Recognising this fact. Mr..
Gladstone informed his colleagues that
his early retirement was inevitable, but
he hoped that it would be only temper
airy. He told them that he would resume
the premiership should his eyes become
strong enough to warrant it.
No Dissension.
The Chronicle says the resignation Of
Mr.. Gladstone is imminent. 1t is almost
an open secret that his eyesight is no
longer equal to even the least important
duties of a political leader. All stories of
dissension or disappointment at legisla-
tior being baked may be dismissed as
wholly unaffectng his decision. When
Mr.. Gladstone resigns the wand II will he
because his hand can no longer WELD il,
and for no other reason whatever. 1t Ia
probable that no decision has yet been
reached as TO the moment of his resigna-
tion.
The Times thinks that the denial of
Mr.. Gladstone's actual resignation may
be accepted without question by those
unable to adopt the belief that the alarm
I'm the Radical camp was altogether
causeless. but it's semi official denial sig
nifies postponement of the crisis.
Commenting ON the rumors, The Daily
News says that in view of Mr.. Glad stones
age it Is only right that the Liberals
should consider the future If the in
firmities of age make his onerous duties
~irksome, 1t would be inhuman to keep
Mr.. Gladstone at his post merely because
OF a difference OF opinion prevailing in
reference TO the choice Of his successor.
1t is announced that Mr.. Sexton, NJ. p,
for Kerry. has already taken steps TO OBJ
tain pledges with regard to home rule In
the event of the Earl of Spencer becoming
premier, which now appears to be the pre-
vailing opinion.
The latest news Ia furnished by the
Edinburgh Evening News. which an
nounces the fact that Mr.. Gladstone has
resigned the premiership. II vas there
upon offered to Earl Spencer, frat lord of
the admiralty, and he accepted 1t.
About spencer.
John Points Spencer, who is said TO have
accepted the premiership, was born Oct.
27, 1885. and was educated at Harrow and
at Trinity college, Cambridge, where he
graduated In 1851.
Earl Spencer was groom OF the prince
consort, is506i, and groom OF the Prince
of Wales from 1926. lie was appointed
lord lieutenant of Ireland IN December,
1865. aud retained that Office until the re-
signation OF the Gladstone ministry in
February, 1874 When the Liberals re
turned TO Office in May, 1880, Eir Spencer
was appointed lord president OF the coun-
Gil.
On the resignation of Earl Cowper May
4, 1882, Earl Spencer was nominated lord
lieutenant OF Ireland, retaining his place
IN the cabinet. He arrived In Dublin
castle on May 9, 1852, on the evening Of
which day Lord Frederick Cavendish,
the newly appointed chief secretary for
Ireland, and Thomas A. Burke, the under
secretary, were stabbed To death in
Phoenix park, close to the castle Some
time later Earl Spencer was called upon
70 administer the provisions of the crimes
act. Earl Spencer, in March, 1883. re-
signed the Office of lord president OF the
council, but remained a member of the
ca abinet until the close Of Mr.. Gladstone's
administration in June, 1855.
When Mr.. Gladstone returned to ONCE
In February. 1885 Earl Spencer became
for the second time lord president of the
council. and rs he had by that time
adopted holae rule opinions. his support
was of great value to the government. In
August, 1892. Earl Spencer became first
lord Of the admiralty.
Earl Spencer is chancellor Of the Vic
toria university The University of Dub
lin conferred on him, June 10, 1883, the
honorary degree OF Ill. D The earl IL
lord lieutenant Of Nortbamptonshire aud
chairman OF the county council. The
earl in 1855 married Charlotte Frabos
Fredica, fourth daughter of Frederick
Charles William Seymour. They have no
children.