The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-03

American man in English pubic NE ny
that IL meant that he approaches more
nearly than any one else the ideal o.
political boss When he was mayor or
birmingham he took everything IN rs
own hands-gas works. water WORKS,
Sums. sewage farms. parks, libraries, arr
galleries, everything; so much 80 that
helpless opponent used 10 growl out: He
IS not only mayor bur town council, 100.
Later on when ne sat in parliament TOR
one OF the birmingham divisions, ne al
lowed no public man Of any prominence
10 share in the representation OF the city
with him Lord Randolph Churchill Al
tempted to and was turned Go~n Loru
Charles Beresford tried 10 break through
the hedge only three years ago Tie even
issued MS election address and commenced
a canvass Suddenly Brumnasern
Joe appeared: there were meetings,
cabais, warnings threats; things happen
.ss-Eobody quite knows what nut ms
end OF il was that for the first time in MS
life Reresford turned tail and fled iSe-
fore he had been in parliament TOUR years
the irrepressible Joe had organized ma
chine in the Midlands on the recognized
American pattern and owned little over
sixty votes--enough 10 turn The scale
against any niItStry-as completely as
the most astute boss in the United states
That shows how Chamberlain can Work
things He worked the Birmingham
town council: he worked both the Literal
and Conservative parties; now he is work
ing the British empire And the secret
Of his success is simply this-that ne mas
ALWAYS known precisely what he wanted
and the quickest way 10 get IT,
His UndtplOmatic Methods.
The colonial secretary Is something or
an American too, in his dislike Tor req
tape and the plodding ways of ofncialooih.
His business instincts rebel against the
eurubrous machinery OF the English gov
eminent offices and the winding paths OF
diplomacy He likes 10 go straight 10 tne
noint In the eyes OF all the people, parity
because ii keeps him we'll in evidence ana
nartly because he really believes tfat
good deal OF interna tional misunderstand-
ing is due 10 the want or little frank
speaking He put the new diplomacy 10
A very practical test only the other day.
when at a public meeting IN the provinces
he made an open bid for the friendship or
the United States and an equally undls-
guised attack upon Russia. The speech
was thoroughly characteristic OF the man.
1t startled and scandalized by its SotdnesS.
but 1t had Its effect and added to MS nm
portance That IS the way with most OF
ChamberIain's actions. When the EXCITE
ment has died away, it Is usually found
that the end he had IN view has been
reached In his own words, he was the
best abused man in England when ne de-
serted Gladstone and broke the back OF the
home rule agitation: yet time seems TO
have justified the policy. A good many
Englishmen sneered at his way of treat
Ing the British empire as though it We're
so many bundles of merchandise; yet
somehow or other Chamberlain has man
aged 10 send thrill OF patriotism from
one end of the empire to the other. and in
three years has probably done more to
consolidate it than all his predecessors put
together. His opponents used to say that
too clever by half' would be his political
epiiaph; but today there is Niardly any
one who does not look upon him as the
one strong man in England. as the only
English statesman who sees his way
clearly and is not afraid to take It..
Wife the Most Popular of Americans.
For many years after the home rule split
Chamberlain was dstrus.ed and disliked
by his countrymen. Today the distrust
has vanished. but the popularity has not
come Chamberlain Is admired and I'm
mensely respected, and the nation has con-
iidence in him but there is little in the
way of enthusiasm for him among the
masses. He does none Of those things
which Englsllmen like their statesmen TO
do. He does not play golf like Bafour. or
breed horses like Rosebery, or practice
wood cutting ike Mr.. Gladstone. His one
hobby, orchid growing, is not OF the kind
10 fascinate the populace. His only forms
Of exercise are smoking, getting in and
out OF his brougham and mounting plat
forms. In fact, except in connection with
politics he comes very little before the
public: and III England n man has TO be
something more than q politician to be
really liked In society he Is a great ia
vorite. partly no doubt owing 10 his wife's
boundless popularity Mrs Chamberlain.
formerly Miss En3icott, has been pointed
to again and again as the most popular
American woman who ever came to Eng
land. not excepting even Lady Randolph
Churchill. Her husband was certainly
the most popular English man who ever
came to America 1t ia said that the only
adverse Commen. on Mr.. Chamberlain
when he was over here came from q
Washington girl: Hes nice real nice;
but he doesn't dance well His steps are
too short. | should think he learned on q
postage stamp" Mr. Chamberain's short
steps are not his only limitations: but
with all his obvious deficiencies his Is stin
strenuous and remarkable character.
SIDNEY BROOKS
1t Cannot Prevail.