The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-25

ed than the cherished customs-some use
full and some outworn-of diplomacy, he
is the best-hated man in England at this
moment and yet his chances were never
better for becoming premier, the highest
Office within the gift of the English people,
the place most nearly corresponding to
that of President of the United States.
say the "best-hated," but that doesn't
mean the most unpopular by any means.
Mr. Chamberlain's antithesis, LORD
IIansdowne, the urbane, naughty and ira
dition-loving Secretary of State for War.
holds that unlucky distinction, or at least
did hold it till Cronje surrendered. To be
futile in time of need is 10 be unpopular;
but to be powerful and vigorous and am
bilious and bold is to be both ha ed ana
admired.
This keen, resourceful Mr.. Chamberlain,
who has made such mark in Engilsh MS
tory and is likely to add to that mark is
GA years old, but until his war began TO go
against him he did not look a day over 90.
Even now he steps as jauntily as ever out
of his hanson at the private entrance TO
the House of Commons, orchid in outton-
hole, monacle at eye, smartly dressed hlgh
instep, and with a confident smile; but
after a long session in the depressing at
mosphere of the House, you can discern
ever from the visitors gallery, heavy INES
running from the inner corners OF his eyes
diagonaly across his face; he sinks down
YEARLY on the leather covered bench, ana
his sharp eyes close, while some orator en-
the opposition side Of the House Is politely
calling him names and telling the press
gallery and the country al large that the
right honorable member from Birmingham
West is a villain of the deepest dye.
fol,t iK,ly Mr.
asleep and every enc Of his "a years cd,
at that, but let the opposition member
touch on some statement that would real
ly count for something, and the right hon
orabe gentleman is suddenly discovered
10 be very much awake, and young again
He sits up smartly and shoots a question
or denial at the opposition orator that us
ually scores a point, the government sup
porters say, Hear hear" and Mr..
Chamberlain shuts his eyes and grows old
again.
The war is telling on him heavily in
spite of his buoyance, for he hates eXer-
else, works almost increasingly either at
the colonial office or at his lovely home.
Highbury, in Birmingham, and probably
plans and schemes o'nights He intends
to be premier, and so far as known, he
' always gets what he goes for.
How Chamberlain Became Rich.
The FIRST big thing he got was a fortune,
1t by shrewd planning, not by saving his
pennies or inherltng pennies his father
had saved. After finishing his education
at the London University School, he went
to Birmingham al the age of is, and af-
Ter a while became junior partner in the
firm of Nettleford & Chamberlain, screw
manufacturers Then things began TO get
lively ip the screw business. Thanks, it Is
said, to the Chamberlain shrewdness, the
firm got hold of an American patent for
making wood screws that soon put them
at the head of the business What hap
pened then is a matter of much discus
sion and criticism. So, instead of trying
TO state the case on hearsay, | applied to
close friend and associate Of Mr..
Chamherlain's for a first hand version of
the story. Here are his exact words:
There has been much speculation as to
inc way In which his wealth was made.
Many stories are told, some partially true,
ana some altogether false. His position as
junior partner In the screw business OF
Nettleford & Chamberlain no doubt gave
MN many opportunities for the exercise
OF those business qualities which were at
tefward so marked during his municipal
career. The charge which his opponents
were not slow to bring against him-that
ul bringing about q monopoly without re-
sara 10 principles Of fairness and justice
" MS competitors, was certainly not true