New-York tribune., 1897-08-10

the front bench ne Is a mysterious figure. with
a grim face and Sphynxlike expression listening
intentiy to debate. rarely smiling and apparent
~ unconscious Of the presence OF colleagues.
LORD Beaconsfield had this manner when he was
leading his party In Parliament, and Mr.. Cham
perlaln' who Is often said to resemble him. may
initiate him unconsciousy The Secretary for
the Colonies also has Lord Beaconsfield's theat-
real art of concentrating attention upon him
seiI ana or piqung curiosity by silence until
the House Is full and a great personal triumph
can be secured. This what ne did last
night. He waited in austere silence until the
opposition had exhausted its resources by firing
INTO lts own leaders. At last. when his vindi-
cation was already complete. his enemies them
selves being witnesses. he dealt with his ac-
cusers with destructive energy and ground to
powder their malevoent and thoughtless tattle.
When the epogue ended Mr. Chamberlain's
reputation was secure. That was the most gro
tesque touch Of the entire South African farce
When the first tdngs of Jamesons raid were
the signal for Mr.. Chamberlain's midnight train
from birmingham and his successful campaign
against the conspirators there was no enemy SO
dull as to suspect that he had any guilty knowl-
edge OF the disastrous adventure. The Parlia
mentary investigation followed the Jameson
trial, and by some stupid combination Of his
Toes or ny some ingenious device of his own
public attention was diverted from the guilt Of
self-confessed conspirators and intriguing mill
ionaires TO the preposterous charge that Mr.
Chamberlain connived at the plot and had pre-
else knowledge Of the raid before II occurred
From this absurd and incredible accusation he
Is triumphanty delivered with flourish Of
trumpets. although. as Sy William Harcourt
astutely contended his innocence was estab-
lshed when he first denied the charge British
Ministers not being in the habit of telling lies
and perjuring themselves. II Is a world of IL
lusions as Mr.. Labouchere remarked with acrd
cynicism.
THE LORDS PICKING FLAWS.
One other epilogue remained for the serious
drama OF the session drawing to close
This is the series Of trivial amendments which
the House of Lords has attached to the Work
mems Compensation bill The word solely
has been dropped from the paragraph depr1ving
the workman Of compensation when the ac-
cident is due solely to his serious and wilful
misconduct a subsection rendering employers
liable for any deficiency in the funds of a mutual
insurance society has been omitted; and an
amendment restricting compensation at death
TO relatives wholly dependent upon the victim or
accident has been added. Hostile party jour
nails make much of these changes but 1t is
probable that the bill has been improved by
them and certainly 1t has not been seriously
weakened.
The point Of the epilogue will be perceived
when it is remembered that the same House
of Lords wantonly wrecked a less radical bill
which had been passed by Liberal Govern
ment Mr. Chamberlain's measure now comes
up from the Tory Commons with principles GER
tainly more advanced il not essentially Social
istic, and the Lords. instead of destroying IT,
find a few flaws in il and remove them. MT
Asquth's Employers Liability bin was
rough-hewn door opening into Socialism, and the
Lords tore it from its fastenings Mr.
Chamberlain's larger door they cannot see. but
only few flies which have settled upon It, So
great is the power Of partisanship. even IN an
enlightened country like England. l. y. r.