New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-03

COUNTY COUNCIL ELEc-
TION-ADvANCEMENT OF
PRINCE LoBANoFF
by CABLE TRIBUNE
(Copyght: 1895: By IA, rribaa. As''cts.oh
London, March 2.-The Government MAINTAIN
their policy of holding on and the business done
in Parliament during the last week has once more
shown that they owe their maintenance in office
as much to the liberation Of their enemies as 10
the support Of their friends. II the Opposition
had cared to make a vital issue over the DEBATE
raised by Sir Henry James upon cotton duties
the Ministry would have been defeated last week.
Again. two days ago, they would have met with
disaster in the division upon appropriatlhg pr'-
vate members time, If their own radical critics
had cared to confirm their grievances in the divi-
sion lobby. The result of that proceeding once
more showed that the Ministerial majority hardly
exceeded a bakers Dozen and the conclusion
drawn therefrom confirms the public opinion as to
the uncertainty of Lord Rosebery's tenure.
Thursdays demand for ali the time OF the
House Of Commons except Wednesday and FRI
day evenings illustrates the growth Of Cabinet
rule. No one but the Government can initiate
anything and everybody knows that the Govern
ment carry none OF its important Dlis.
Nevertheless the necessities Of party warfare
make 1t imperative that the programme be tabled
and dealt with though to-day's Liberalism has
decayed into fretting and helpless sectarianfsm.
This remark especially refers to the Welsh Church
Dsestablishment bill. 1t may be advanced few
stages beyond the measure Of last year, and pos
sibly may reach the Lords; but 1t will never es-
cape alive from the glded chamber The pros
poets Of the Iris Land bill are understood to
have improved since 1t became known that provi-
cha ha rD-
duced for dealing with evicted tenants. This Will
recommend the measure to those Unionist menu
bers who take the tenant farmers view OF the
land question.
The bimetallist debate last Tuesday was the
ablest upon that subject that has ever been
witnessed in the House of Commons. 1t also
showed the weakness Of the Government Inc
Cabinet is opposed TO b!metallism. The Chan-
cellor Of the ExcheqJer made powerful speech
against it and set forth the monometast case
with great ability; but in the end he agreed to
Mr. Eve.etts resolution for another monetary
conference apparently because he was afraid 10
challenge a division, or because he feared the
anger Of the Liberal b.metallists. He possibly
realized that bimetallism rs spreading. especially
in the manufacturing districts; but. whether that
be 50 or not 4 is absolutely certain that no
British Government will have the courage to
adopt it, The present Ministry is opposed TO it
almost to man. The Opposition leaders are OF
the same mind. excepting Mr.. Balfour;. and
though he Is a strong factor In the situation he
is unlikely TO make any converts. His political
friends make no concealment of their surprise at
his views upon this subject IL any one desires
10 know the British official view OF bmetailism'
let them read Sir William Harcourts speech.
Mr. Chamberlain has contributed to the merrl-
ment Of his radical critic' by what the news
papers describe as his remarkable disappearance
from the division lobby last week when the de-
bate on Sir Henry James's cotton motion was con-
Guided \ division was taken in the usual form
and Mr. Chamberlain found himself in the wrong
lobby The next morning his name was not in
the division list and tie question asked Of
the Speaker whether e. cry member present dur
ing a division was not compelled to record his
vote The Speaker replied that such was the case.
but that the duty could be avoided by means
which were perfectly well known to members.
The House laughed uproariously at this ooserva-
tion for the means referred to related 10 the
sinple expe ilent of cOncea ment in the lavatory.
and this was the course which Mr.. Chamberlain
was credited with having adopted. The incident
recalls an experience in III" life OF SIR wafer
Barttelot. on one occasion during the irish all
night sitt!ngs that gentleman strayei INTO 'he
lobby among the Irishmen. He was stout old
slipped into the lobby lavatory and turned the
KEY. The tellers Immediately announced that
member had not recorded his Vote whereupon the
Sneaker sent the sergeant alarms and the janl-
tors 10 fetch Sir Walter into the Chamber. The
sergeant solemny struck his sword against the
lavatory door and shouted "Sir Walter Barttelot,
come out" and amidst the laughter OF the House
he was marched up the floor in the sergeants
custody 70 record his vote at the clerks table.
Mr. Chamberlain escaped that ind.gnty through
the fact that his omission to vote was not
noticed at the time the division was taken.
Tho onlum faddists have lust succeeded in COM
mitting Great Britain to very heavy item OF
expenditure Though the Opium Commission
has not yet reported it Is known that the results
of their abors will tell very heavily against the
views Of the anti-opur: party. In order 70 dP-
pease that party the Government permitted the
commission TO be established and undertake
very expensive tour around lnd!a The Govern
rnent had ABUNDANT evidence that there was TO
Justification for the outrry against opiui'' o"'
tho,. had not the courage 10 refuse the demands
of the opium faddiss. all 81 whom SIT on ''e
Ministerial side OF the House. The Go'ethiHeh'
sh,rLad their responsibility by appointing COM
mission. and they have now recognized ."e III
ustice of asking India to bear the cost by an
nouncing that the entire charge VIII ne h'e' w
the English Exchequer.
The appointment OF Sir Hercules Robinson to
succeed Sir Henry Loeb occasions no small sur
prise Sir Hercules Is over seventyyears DID, he mad
retired from the public service and had become
a director In several South African companies:
but Mr. Cecil Rhodes is a masterfui man, and
when last in England demanded that Sir Hercules
should return to the Cape. Mr. Rhodes and
Sir Henry have not always been in harmony.
Sir Henry Is mild, timid bureaucrat, what is
called "fair-weather Governor" and Mr..
Rhodes was not Ill pleased tc have a change;
but Sir Hercules's selection Is sure to be ques-