New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-30

rcvoted. Sir Matthew might be less odious TO
them than Mr.. Courtney. but like Mr. courtney,
he had the vital defect of impartality, ana the
Radicals would none Of him. Aware that with
the support of the Conservatives ana OF that
portion Of the Liberal party whose loyalty TO
their leaders is not ftful but permanent sir
Matthew White Ridley would. in spite Of Radical
opposition, be chosen by a great majority they
took a more desperate line They-some
thirty or forty OF them. according To report
gave notice to the Liberal leader that if Sir
Matthew was adopted as Ministerial candidate
their support-the support Of this knot OF mutt
ncers-need no longer be counted on Tor any
purpose.
At the head Of this body the Iedoubtable
Mr.. Labouchere, never far off when mischief is
afoot Cabal followed cabal and threat succeeded
to threat Cabinets were held, and 1t was hnaiy
resolved to weld t. the menace of TINS minority
rather imagine that Sir William Harcourt. had
he been at liberty to act on his own judgment
would have met menace with defiance. ana that
the revolt would thereupon have collapsed But
no doubt, the situation was delicate II not critical
and we need not Judge too harshy Ministry
whose nerves have been shaken by a years
tenure of office, which has been as Wendell
Holmes said Of life itself. only a longer or
shorter respite from death. The Radicals had
their way 1t was resolved to set up a party
candidate and Mr.. Gully. the Radical nominee,
was meekly accepted by the Ministry.
Who is Mr.. Gully? A lawyer Of good position at
the Ear. almost wholly unknown in the House
Mr.. Balfour said Of him on "Wednesday in debate
that he had never spoken in the House, never
served upon select committee never served
upon a grand committee. He Is not known by
sight to fifty members. and it is doubtful whether
he knows fifty members by sight. Without Par
liamentary experience. without Parliamentary
reputation, without any known qualifications for
the Speakership except forensic abhty-which
is one OF the least qualifications-and some per-
sona popularity among those who happen to
know him. why was he chosen and why has he
been elected? The answer to the first question
must be left to the Radicals. We know what kind
Of Speaker they want 1t remains to be seen
whether Mr. Gully, once installed in the Chair
will descend 70 the partisanship and Partially
which some OF his supporters avowedly expect
from him. To the question why he has been
elected. but one answer Is possible. He was the
party nominee and has been elected by strict
party vote with majority Of eleven.
Taking all the circumstances together-and
there are many more for which have no space
the election Of Mr.. Gully as Speaker seems one
more downward step on that path which grows
sleeper and sleeper as it descends. The House
has lost Mr. Gladstone and lost Mr.. Peel. Tntl
Of late years. Mr.. Gladstone was the most power
ful influence on the side of dignity and Of old
traditions He remained TO the last great in
fuence on that side. 1t was not In him - shake
off completely the forces which all through his
Parliamentary life down to 1856 had wrought for
good All that need he said is that If his in'u-
ence was less, it vas etill for good. from purely
House Of Commons point Of view.
f,,f,. -. cot
have enabled the House - dispense with all other
influences The riot of 1893 during which Mr.
Gladstone sat paralyzei. may seem an exception.
but f. was not for he riot burst oT In Mr. Peels
absence and his return TO the Chair quellei II
instantly. All the Worl now knows what he has
been as Speaker. He quits the Chair amid an
unbroken chorus OF deserved laudations There
was no voice t. mar the harmony inside the
House-harily one outside in the Pr"se none, 80
far as know but here see few English papers
The Radical outcry against hia-the hoar'e clam
r. arising solely on account Of his impariality
his nrmness. and the courageous use a. critical
moments If his full authorlty-has died away OF
is hushel into silence. Beyond doubt he is the
greatest Speaker % this present reign; perhaps
the greatest Speaker who ever liy.l. What the
House owes t. him. what the country owes nm
what representative government the world over
stood in the House itself 1t can hardly be appre-
clated t. the fun elsewhere. lie hal a perfect
knowledge Of rules of pre'rl'nts. = business
He had a noble presence. q noble voice. perfect
sens. u what was due 10 the House from him and
10 him from the House, and within the limits OF
his rghtful sway ne ruled the House as Il has
never been ruled before. and ever 70 IFS own good
With that strong hand no longer al the helm
nobody knows whore it may drift to. Mr.. GuiIy
may prove better presiding officer tAah - eN-
pected | hope he may II IS even possible thd'
he may overcome the deep prejudice against hlm'
dine TO tho manner of his election ana - ms i'm
uarfect acquaintance with The House. II not ont
he will 20 az soon as the Conservatives nave
majority. Thus near IS the new dangcr-'he
danger that the Speakership may lose us august
character and instead Of continuing TO be that
accepted impcrsonat.on Of tn "h dee House wh.eA
IT has been, may become the mere pdythhg u
: