New-York tribune., 1902-08-22
TRANSITION POLITICS.
<ro MEN OF MARK AND A NUMBER
nF CIPHERS-ANALOGIE BETWEEN
THE DERBY AND BALFOUR
ADMINISTRATIONS.
London, August 13.

-esinet some Of the stock Parliamentary jokes
- revived. One is Lord Palmerston's descrip-
.nn Of the Derby administration of 1852 as a
,~vernment with two men of mark and num-
~ Of ciphers Another is the story told OF the
nuke Of Wellington. who did not hear well and
.sked "Who?" 'Who?' when the names Of the
.w ministers were repeated TO him in success
s,5u the government being subsequently, known
- the Who? Who? Ministry The compari-
sau Is an apt one, for the new government, if
ne Duke Of Devonshire follows Sir Michael
rjcks- Beach into retirement, il is gen.
sraIy expected that he viii do, will contain
,wo men Of mark, Mr.. Balfour and Mr. Cham
,srlain and a number Of ciphers so far as DO
g-cal authority is concerned. While it is not
,soessary for any one familiar with English
-oHtics 10 ask who are Mr.. Ritchie Lord Lon
sopderry Mr.. Akers Douglas, Sir William
Esnond. Mr.. Austen Chamberlain, Mr. George
-vvudhan Lord Windsor and Lord Percy. il is
,lssr that the prestige and authority of the
constructed government in the country de-
7e1d almost exclusively upon the influence of
Mr. Balfour and the Secretary for the Colonies.
The other ministers may do their administra-
ire work more or less efficiently but they do
mi count in determining the power and repre-
ssutatiVe character Of the government of the
day
The comparison between the Balfour govern
-nsut and the Derby administration of 1852 is
st fsult il one respect. One has an overuheln,
ing well disciplined majority in the Commons
whereas the other was an insecure govern
oent holding its ground because the factions
n opposition could not unite and relieve it OF
the responsibilities Of office. Mr. Balfour, with
his one powerful supporter and his company Of
reputable country squires. is not in Imminent
danger Of being turned out Of office as Lord
s-4-Lo- he
net against the Peelites. Wings and Cobdenites.
The Education bin can be enacted in October.
even if the warning sounded at North Leeds
be repeated at other bye-elections. The govern
-ent can probably be kept together for several
years and enabled TO enforce discipline among
its supporters until general election is or
dered Mr. Balfour with his tact and amia bility,
and Mr. Chamberlain with his debating power
can be depended upon 10 conduct a vigorous
campaign against the divided and faction rent
Opposition; and bye-elections are slow and un-
certain IN operation when the party in power is
well organized. The political situation differs
materially from that Of 1852, when the minis
uy. in spite of Mr.. Disraelis audacity and
genius, ceased 70 be tolerated as soon as there
was coalition between Peelites and Wings and
g resolution OF censure was aimed against the
opponents OF Free Trade. The Education bill
car be followed next year with safe and nom
contentious measures. and the government ade-
quately protected against revolt within the
Commons and popular uprising outside.
The analogy between the two Governments
Of Mediocrities becomes closer when the trans-
ton periods are compared. The oldtime Tory
ard Whig parties We're breaking up in 1852.
NJ. Gladstone was At the halfway house be-
tween Toryism and Liberalism, having become
Free Trader with his leader, Sir Robert Peel,
and having begun to question the correctness
Of his principles other questions not con-
aectsd with finance. The Peelites We're gradual
y approaching the followers of Lord John Rus
sell and Lord Palmerston, and the evolution Of
liberalism was proceeding by rapid stages. The
downfall Of the Protectionist government was
decreed as soon as Lord Derby undertook to
test the popularity of Free Trade at a popular
election: and the facility with which a coalition
Cabinet vas formed under Lord Aberdeen was
due to the uncertainties Of a transition period
when the political opinions Of sections Of both
parties were undergoing Transformation. The
signs Of transition period are now equally ap-
parent Mr.. Chamberlains presence as the
strongest minister il the Conservative Cabinet
is anomaly as remarkable as was M Glad
stones conversion TO liberalism by gradual
stages half q century ago. It is an indication
that the lines Of &c between political par
ties are not where they have been in the past
There IS a new Toryism which consistent
Radicals have hardly become acclinlatiZed, and
there is a new Liberalism which does not rev
erence the insular traditions Of the Manchester
school There are counter movements, search
iags OF hearts and new impulses in both parties
and multitudes Of voters are in the valley or
decision. questioning the validity Of principles
and the utility OF policies which they once ac-
cepted without 2 trace Of scepticisIn-
F,f1f he Tendencies
Of transition politics. II is laborious attempt
10 readjust Nr. Forster's compromise measure
CT 1870 10 altered conditions He found in Eng
land and Wales a system OF schools under the
charge Of the State Church, the Roman Catholic
Church, the Wesleyans and other religious
bodies, and sought TO affiliate it with a govern
ment plan Of free education; and in doing this
he provided local aid from the rates On condi-
ton that denorninational schools should submit
TO inspection, offer proof Of certain degree or
efficiency, and accept e conscience clause, for
me protection Of the religious convictions OF
parents. The Nonconforu1ists broke away from
'ne Liberal government Of the day and bitterly
attacked the measure, which was saved and
finally enacted, with the help of Conservative
votes, In the Commons. The Education act has
been one OF the most successful and enlightened
reform measures Of The generation, and mas
"fousht INTO existence trained body or Schooi
experts IN town and country; but it has also
created competition between denominational
SCHOOLS dependent upon voluntary support and
board schools with the ratepayers' money be-
hlnd them The new measure minimizes this
oonpeuuon by throwing all voluntary schooIs
DSoA upon local support and by substituting for
me school boards a new system OF control with
safeguards Tor the maintenance OF religious IN
slEuction The objection has at once been raised
lilot taxpSyers cannot ne asked TO take over
voluntary schools unless they are allowed 10
control them as q absolutely as they do the boar0