New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-12
UNIONIST LEADERS.
-, CHAMBERLAIN WELL IN FRONT
WITH HIS POLICIES-ADROlT TAG
TICS IN COMMITTEEMAN. BAL
FOUR'S INCREASED
PRESTIGE.
London. May %.


PRESTIGE
London. May 90.
Wv Chamberlain was an active canVasser out-
,r,, the last general election ana s'ar'ieu 'he
-, Tories with his socialistic bids for demo-
.rat,c support. His personality was the strong
-, attractive force on the Unionst side, and the
raat majority which was obtained IN the eiec-
s,ons was largely to be attributed to his iniiu-
.nca While the dissolution of Parliament had
hoo, ordered with a negative. colorless pro- |
o,,ne II was generally assumed that with |
,,r chamberlain in the Cabinet there could not
ha ANYTHING like stagnation in political aHalrs
,rser Inionist government Mr. Gladstone mad
disappeared from public life, and Lord kosepery
had lacked the instinct OF leadership. MI
Chamberlain. with his progressive tendencles ana
creative energies was the one commanding hg-
ure in the canvass. He drew dscontented Liber-
ais and the working masses after him because
his connection with Uhionist Government was
n,edge that there would be something new and
practical in Tory democracy
Whom the elections were carried and Lord
Salisbury had a majority so large to be indie
pendent Of the Liberal -Unonist group. the old
Tories united in advising Mr.. Chamberlain to
devote himself exclusively to the business Of the
Colonial Office II was not disnterested coun-
looked upon him Radical disguised as a IN
io,ist Conservative but it was followed for a
wear MI Chamberlain had no lack OF occupa-
ton after the Jameson raid. and he employed MS
energies in directing Colonial policies ana III III
parting a new impulse TO the movement FOR I'M
perial Federation. He took little interest j" lH9
legislative work Of the first session. ana lei. MI
Ra,four at liberty to lead the Unionist party
without interference or criticism. he had re-
tired temporarily from domestic politics, as his
Tory friends had urged him TO do; but they did
not get on we'll without him. Mr.. Balfour dld
not lead the House with frmness and practical
ability. The Education bill was wlthdraWi ana
the session was wasted.
The situation has now changed. and Mir. Cham-
harlain's increasing power and influence are I'M
errjng indications that the Conservative party
hos been broadened and 'liberazed The two
school hills have been disposed OF as financial
measures without disturbing the educauonal s!s-
tenn which is one of the landmarks or the VIZ
torian reign; and the Employers LaoiI''y oiii
has been brought forward as reform Hieasu'0
based on democratic principles lhiS - III,
Chamberlain's bill, although it was huouuceu
by the Home Secretary. The secretary loI 'iie
Colonies is in charge Of 1t, and both MI baiIour
and Sir Matthew White Ridley have retired to
the background The Irish policy which has
Chamberlains. and when the debates come on
he will undoubtedly be as conspicuous figure
in carrying the measures as he is now in dis
posing Of a labor question. His ascendency as
the best debater and the most practical politl-
clan on the Unionst side passes unchallenged
MR. CHAMBERLAIN's DEXTERITY.
II is indeed an exhilarating spectacle TO wit
ness Mr. Chamberain's dexterity in plotting the
EMPLOYERS Liability bill through committee.
Day after day he meets objections, suggests
changes in phrasing, conciliates conflicting in
terests, treasures timorous employers. and re-
presses the ardor of labor representatives. with
keen Intelligence he has mastered the details
Of the measure, and while he is flexible in deal
ing with amendments. he is tenacious in adher-
ing to the essential principle Of the employers
universal liability for accidents without regard
for contrbutory negligence When the issue has
been clouded by debate he intervenes with few
lucid sentences. and tire mists are cleared away.
No other debater can rival him either in read-
ness or In clearness OF statement. He speaks
without notes, and never hesitates nor remakes
his sentence midway, after the eXasperating
English habit He has the patience required for
exhaustive discussion in committee and the
courtesy and good temper which are ndspensa-
bic for facilitating the progress of a complex
measure.
Mr. Balfour also has good temper, and it is
the secret OF his power in leading the House.
He is liked by friend and foe for his amiability
and charm Of manner and he cOntrives to amuse
the House by sparkling plcasantres and to con-
duct debates with good nature. He is ef-
fective debater. Notwithstanding his harsh
voice and hating manner, and he has talent
for separating wheat from chaff in discussion
and for presenting clearly the real points which
are at issue. Mr. Balfour has done much during
the present session to retrieve the reputation
which he mperiled by bad leadership last year,
and he has shown himself to be a good tacticlan
and at times a firm and resoute disciplinarian.
But he lacks the qualities required for give-and
take work in committee. He answers questions
well. opens discussions admirably an i'm
portant measure, and closes debate on second
reading with consummate ability; but when
every clause is taken UP line by line in commit
he lacks the patience which Mr.. Gladstone
has always displayed in mastering details and
overcoming opposition.
Mr.. Chamberlain has been regarded hard
hitter. who is at his best when his back is to the
wall and he is fighting from sheer desperation:
but he is equally effective In the prolonged game
Of bargaining and compromise which is played
in committee whenever a contentious measure
IS under consideration. He watches the proceed
ings with that keen. wide-awake expression
which Mr.. Sargent caught in the Academy por-
trait Of last year Not detail escapes him. He
welcomes suggestions. makes a show OF imDar-
TALLY IN dealing with them. and eventually
either gently pushes them aside as well meant
but impracticabie. or else changes the phrasing
Of the measure as a reasonable concession. He
Is in his sixty-secOnd year. but he is Of the
youngest looking men in the House with hair
which shows no trace Of gray, and with an agile,
almost boysh briskness Of movement: and while
the debate over trivial amendments may be pro-
longed for hours he IS fresh at the end at