Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-05-20
ALLEGED PLAN TO BOMBARD AMER
England's "Grand Old Man.

William Ewart Gladstone, the foremost
politician of all the world. and the greatest
statesman that England has produced in
the greatest epoch making century, died
early Thursday morning at his home,
Hawarden Castle, where he had lived the
past 90 years. The end came peacefully
while he was sorrounded by his family.
Entering Parliament in January, 1888,
when he was % years old, he made his
last speech there in March, 1894, rounding
out very remarkable and influential
career. unparalleled indeed in its duration
ond its achievement. But in his long life,
NOT only the statesman, the politician, the
6pancier the philanthropist, the orator
and the debater of Parliament are to be con-
sidered. but also the scholar, the theolo-
gian. the man of letters.
Gladstone was born in Liverpool Dec
20, 1909. His parents were natives OF
Scotland. and his father, Sir John Glad-
stone. bart. was successful merchant
Gladstone was educated at Eaton and
Christ church. oxford, graduating in 1881
H
with highest honors in both classics and
mathematics. He won fame as depater
while in college and he was only - when
he was elected to Parliament, as Tory.
Sir Rober. Peel made him under secretary
of affairs in 1884. He went out with Feel
in the following year, and his next SIX
wears were spent in strict study OF the
business of legislation.
In 1916 he resigned his seat for Newark
on account of his free trade views, ana
was for a few months without a seat in
par,iamant hut in 1917 he was returned
for the university of Oxford HIS address
IN the electors showed that he was chang
inc his ground in respect to many tory
doctrines, and especially with regard TO
the church establishment.
In 1852 Disraeli was chancellor OF the
excheouer in that ministry, and in riddllng
his "budget," as the treasury scheme is en-
titled in England, Gladstone hrst showed
his uprivaled talent as tinancier; his as
sault was so destructive that the budget
was defeated and the ministry went down.
In the earl of Aberdeen's ministry which
succeeded, Mr.. Gladstonewas chancellor OF
the exchequer, and in April, 1858, he pre-
sented his budget to the House Com
mons in memorable speech, which plac-
| ed him at the head of all English hnance
ministers.
He held the Office of chancellor of the
excheouer at first in the liberal ministry OF
Lord Palmerston, formed in 1870, but re-
tired with the other Peeltes in few
weeks. He came back into the office in
1859. holding it until 1866, The defeat OF
a reform bill which he had introduced
brought the Tories back to power, to pass
themselves an important reform measure
but on December 8, 1868, he reached the
highest dignity attained by British sub
iect, that of prime minister, This position
he held four times, retiring in Marchi
1894 on account of his infirmities.
The history of his ministries is the his
tory of the British empire for the time
One of the first measures which he car
ried as premier was the disestablishmen'
of the Irish church, and the condition Of
Ireland through more than quarter OF
century of the most active part of his life
was the object of his particular concern
He prepared bills, in 1886 and 1898, for
separate legislature for that country ou'
both were defeaaed.
While Mr.. Gladstone started in his po
litical life as pronounced Tory he made
his fame as a Liberal leader, and as de-
fender of the weak and a champion fol
their rights. Through all his record ran
a moral purpose and it was by winning the
confidence of the people in his high char
acter that he was able to lead them tC
adopt many of the reforms with which MS
name is associated.