New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-02
A LONDON MEETING.
LORD ROsEBERY AND THE PROGRESSIVE
COUNTY COUNCILLORS IN ST.
JAMES'S HALL.


There Is an old theory that nobody knows 70
well how to cheer as an Engshman. II Is
not true Of all Engishmen, and it is not true Of
most London audiences They do not approach
the cheering capacity Edinburgh or Birming-
ham. Last nights audience In the St. James's
Hall was in mood Of enthusiasm, and did ito
best Those who had never heard the deep
roar which a company of perfervid Scots can
send up on such occasions thought this re-
markable expression Of rapture. Ii was re-
markable for London,-that Is the best that
said. TIE object OF the enthusiasm was
Lord Rosebery The meeting had been called
TO ent an address to him from the Progress
sive majority Of the London County Council on
his becoming Prime Minister. The hall was q
good deal more than filed, and the people who
filled IL were In explosive state But II
Lord Rosebery contrasted his reception with the
reception given him the Saturday before In the
Edinburgh Corn Exchange. he must have taken
a secret pride Scotsman in the superiority
Of his countrymen to the Saxons Of the South.
The state OF the atmosphere in st. Jamess
Hall may have had something to do with the
matter. Lord Rosebery referred TO IL twice, and
other speakers referred 10 It. This hall is filed
perhaps twice day with some 1000 human be-
ings, who attend concerts and public meetings Of
many kinds 1t seems TO be completely shut in
from the outer air. TC reach 1t or to leave 1t
you find your way up and down labyrinth Of stair
cases and passages difficult in your most eisurely
and self-possessed moments, and obviously inn
practicable in case Of panic. Once inside, you
can discover no visible means Of ventilation
any connection with the exterior world If there
are windows they are, ! verify believe never
opened The air you have TO breathe has been
churned twice a day through the lungs Of some
thousands Of persons. and your privilege is 10
churn it once more in your own. Lord Rosebery.
on seeing the Home Secretary by his side told
the house he supposed Nj. Asquith had come
az one Of his own inspectors. pursuing labori-
Gus investigation into dangerous and unhealthy
trades Earlier in the evening, he had extoled
the County Council for supplying more air to
London; rescuing 1000 acres from the builder
and reserving them open spaces for ever
more. AS We listened and gasped for breath. II
seemed cruel piece Of irony. This was what the
County Council had brought us to: this the best
open space in which they could find means to
offer their homage to their late Chairman. On tho
front Of the gallery opposite the platform was
a spreading banner with the legend: "Londons
Welcome to Engand's Premier" There were mo-
ments when. in spite Of the good feeling and
even deep feeling which prevailed. We thought
Il but a grewsome welcome. The audience had
In much worse case. They had to use the
greasy fluid which pervaded the hall FOR the pur-
poses Of articuate oratory. The words came
reluctantly and often inGstinctly. Often they
stuck in II throat Lord Rosebery. whose
powerful and musical voice is usually well under
control. more than once at the mercy OF
circumstances. Twice in the course OF the few
sentences which composed his peroration he had
to stop and drink. OF course the effect OF that
sngulary impressive passage was impaired.
So much by way OF grumbling at meeting
which. In spite Of dirt and drawbacks. was an ex-
tremely interesting The County Council did
we'll to make the most of their first Chairman on
his promotion ! suppose even County Council
lors consider it greater thing to be Prime Min
lister Of England than to preside over their own
deliberations in Spring Gardens. They owe
him at any rate, an immense debt. | will not
say he has made the Council respectable. There
are other grounds which it is respectable
But he has lent Il distinction. He has given II
much greater popularity than it would have
had without him He governed while he was
Chairman with infinite tact and good sense He
kept it from perpetratng many foles He soft
ened the effect OF those which he could not
wholly repress He took large views OF It's
functions AMI duties The signatories of the adj
dress which was presented to him in gaudily
bound album. praised. among other things. the
consummate skill with which he had organized
a new and untried body; the tact and impartaI-
itv he showed az Chairman. his unlimited de-
yotion 10 the details OF business queer
phrase. They assured him that these and other
things had left an unfadng memory TO MS COL
leagues and profound impression on the public
mind" 1t is the nature OF public addresses to De
stilted. and this is sted emphatic. also. otiose
rab
retired Alderman Mr. Frederic Harrison. He Is
retired but not retiring. But think. notwith-
standing the prov vocation offered. We may Keep
out Of municipal politics. or at least, take them IN
very small doses.
We cannot quite escape them II We listen 10
Lord Rosebery's speech, great part OF WHO"
was occupied with a glowing narrative OF the eA-
ploits Of the Council. He was pleased. naturally
with the tribute offered him. He applied the ad-
iective magnificent to the address itself he
promised IL should remain with him as long az
life. 'and l trust" added the Prime Minister
that those who come after me Will regard IL as
precious possession" This he said wheeihs
half round 70 the side gallery on his right ana
looking UP at a little group in the front row. Inc
little group consisted of his second daughter
Lady Margaret Primrose his eldest son. now
eleven years old: Lord Dalmeny. and his youngest
son. the Hon. Neil Primrose. / thought 1t pity
that the meaning Of his glance ana ges'u''
seemed to be lost on the audience
They lost also the significance OF another ih-
cdent Next 10 Lord Rosebery IL was MI AS
ouith who was most warmly cheered. both upon
his entrance and upon his speaking, ana
the clamor for him was loud and long
continued In the same gallery, not iai
from the Primrose group. sat two you"s
ladies. one of whom might have been ideh-
titled as Miss Margot Tenant whom the Home
Sacretarv Is TO marry next June. The radiance OF
bar face az the cheers rose for her betrothea
,,,ght have told the story to those who did NOT