New-York tribune., 1902-08-22

sistance from the educational class The gov
ernment has estranged a large section OF It's
supporters by extending relief from the rates
to denomina tional schools and by depriving tax
payers representatives OF full supervision and
absolute control. The Liberals are also divided,
albeit in less degree, over this measure, Whlch
has silent support from Roman Catholics.
Ritualists and Wesleyans. accustomed to follow
in the old days Mr.. GIadstone's standard with
out finching. The main body Of Nonconform-
lists is as strongly opposed TO it as it was to
Mr. Forster's original compromise thirty years
ago. and il is reinforced by a large contingent
Of municipal reformers and Radicals, who resist
interference with the natural order and repre-
sentative character Of local government. The
North Leeds bye-election indicated tremendous
reaction against the government in stronghold
of nonconfornlity. where the work Of the
board schools has been exceptionally satisfac-
tory. Too elastic inferences ought not to be
based upon a single election. There will be in
evitably q great deal of cross-voting in every
borough and division on this burning contro-
versial question of the day; but on the whole
Mr.. Balfour's attempt to satisfy the parson
and the squire at the expense Of the rate
payer and the trained talent Of the school
boards is likely TO prove Intellectual as Mr.
Disraeli's ingenious device in 1852 for favoring
the farmers and the brewers at the cost Of
house occupiers in the towns
The old parties are each adrift in this transi-
ton period and awaiting self possessed and re-
sourceful pilotage The Irish Home Rule ques-
tion, which carried Mr. Chamberlain and the
Liberal Unionists into the Conservative party
has virtually disappeared from English politics.
and oldtime Liberals and Tory Democrats
of the new order find it difficult to reconcile
themselves to their new environment. There is
an increasing feeling Of dissatisfaction among
Old Tories over the burdens Of direct taxation
and a counter-movement in the direction OF a
largely expanded revenue tariff with preferences
for the colonies, only awaits discreet and intel
ligent leadership. On the Liberal side there
are similar signs of upheaval. restlessness and
reaction. The Liberal Iuaperalists are entirely
out of sympathy with the old-time diplomacy
and economics Of the Manchester school, and
are uncomfortable when in enforced fellowship
with Little Englanders, Trades Unionists and
Radicals. The reunion of Liberal factions can
hardly be accomplished on the common ground
Of opposition to the Education bill. The con-
sstent Radicals have fault to find with Sir
Henry Campbell-Bannernan except his lack
Of greatness and the power Of exciting enthusi
asm among his followers; and while they fail
to discriminate between the two representative
Imperialists, MI Chamberlain and Lord Rose
berry, they the natural allies Of the Tory
Democracy of the Midland counties. It is
transition period in which the trend of the fu-
ture forces OF public opinion is inperfectly dis
closed redistribution Of political followers
is as inevitable now it was in 1852. when
Mr.. Dsraelfs audacity and genius were rem
dered pre-enlinent and inspiring by the dulness
of his commonplace colleagues. and when Mr.
Gladstone was looming up as the future leader
of Liberalism and Radicalism. Mr.. Balfour
with all his amiable virtues. is a foil for the
ali nd
him as Lord Derby then was for Mr.. Disraeli;
but on the Liberal side Lord Rosebery, with all
his brilliant abilities. lacks the nfexible reso-
luton and commanding authority of Mr.. Glad
stone It is transition period, with only one
natural leader of men in sight. and he is in the
Colonial Office. rejoicing with paternal pride
o,-er the Cabinet honors of his son. I. y. F.