The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-07-15
MR.. BALFOUR
THE PREMIER
Successor of Salisbury in
Control.
HICKS-BEACH RESIGNED
Chancellor of ExcheQuer
Gives Up Portfolio.
This is Looked Upon as Evidence
That the influence of Joseph
chamberlain is Mightier
Than Ever.


bury. Premier of England, has resigned
Right Honorable A. ]. Balfour, First
Lord of the Treasury and Government
leader in the House of Commons, has beer
appointed Premier. So
Sir Michael Hicks Beach, Chancellor OF
the Exchequer, has resigned.
The resignation of Salisbury was ten.
dered last Friday and instantly accepted
by King Edward.
A. ]. Balfour was today formally
greeted as Great Britain's Premier and
the new regime began it's work. The
momentous change was marked by only
one really dramatic incident, namely, the
resignation of Sir Michael Hicks Beach
from his post of Chancellor of the Elk
chequer. Yet this lack of outward show
and public prelude to a new chapter in
English history is by no means represen-
tative of the disturbance which the sud-
den transition created in the under-cur.
rents of political life
Others will Go Out.
1t is safe to say that Sir Michael Hicks
Beach is oQly the first of several whose
names have figured largely before the
public in the last half century and who
now will disappear from the political
arena. Nothing absolutely definite is yet
settled, but the Unionist Party expects
shortly to hear of the designations OF
Earl Halsbury. Lord High Chancellor
Lord James of Hereford. Chancellor OF
the Duchy of Lancaster, and Earl Cado-
gan, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
For Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's place
Rt Hon. r. w. Hamburg, now President
of the Board of Agriculture, is the ia.
vorite. In the pending reconstruction
which may not be completed for some
time to come, Mr.. Balfour, much to the
delight of the Unionists. will remain the
leader in the House of Commons and
First Lord of the Treasury. with Mr.
Chamberlain still in command of the col
onies as his first lieutenant.
If Earl Halsbury, on account of his
great age. fulfllls predictions by retiring
Baron Alverstone will succeed to tht
woolsack, Sir Richard Hem Collins be
coming Lord Chief Justice, Sir r. B
Finlay succeeding him as Master of the
Rolls. Sir E. H. Carson, now Solicitor.
General, becoming Attorney General, and
probably Charles Alfred Chrisipps. Attor-
ney-General to the Prince of Wales, sue
ceeding to the Solicitor Generalship.
On one point the members of the House
of Commons. who throughout the day
intimately discussed the new state of af-
fairs, seemed practically unanimous, and
that was that Austin Chamberlain, finan-
cial Secretary of the Treasury, would be
promoted, a majority mentioning him as
likely to succeed Mr.. Hamburg, should
the latter take the CHARACTERISTIC Of the
Exchequer.
Balfour Wants Wyndham.
Friends of Mr.. Balfour also said he
was certain to require the advice in his
cabinet councils of his great friend
George Windham, now Chief Secretary
for Ireland. There is no little gossip con-
corning some changes in the position OF
Lord George Hamilton, now Secretary
of State for India, one well-known men,
Der of the House of Commons saying
he had heard that Lord George Hamilton
was among those who would throw up
their portfolios. Lord Hamiltons broth
er-in-law, the Marquis of Lansdowne. is
regarded as certain to remain in the For
elgn ONCE. where he is carrying out lines
laid down by Lord Salisbury.
There is apparently no serious antici-
patton of a general election, though In
some quarters it is thought the desire at
trihuted to the King to have a new Par
lament after his coronation might cause
an appeal to the country, though the new
Premier is not believed to see any neces-
sity therefor.
Mr.. Balfour's first appearance in the
House of Commons as Premier was char
acteristic of the man and of the assem-
bly,. From the party meeting at the for
eisr office the members trooped over en-
bloc, and shortly after o'clock the
house was packed Both front benches
were filled with ministers and ex-minis-
tiers, except for a vacant place opposite
the Mace. where Mr., Balfour was such a
familiar figure Peers came into the
strangers gallery and leaned expectantly
upon the rails Amid a nervous. cease
- W
ratified through, Sir Michael Beach
sat gloomily among his colleagues he
was soon to leave
Mr. Balfour Bushes.
Suddenly the chatter ceased and there
rose from behind the speakers chair the
long thin figure of the prime minister.
All sides of the House rose with Hear.
heart" the members rising and keeping
up the applause till Mr.. Balfour, who
sideled along the treasury bench. nearly
falling over Sir Michael Hicks-Beach' s
feet. reached his seat and buried his
head in a voluminous question paper
He was blushing like a school girl.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman. the
Liberal leader, stopped further business
by making such a feeling personal ref
erence to Mr.. Balfour as is seldom heard
in legislative bodies, and which was de-
livered with an emotion that quite up-
nerved the premier.
When Mr.. Balfour arose to reply the
ovation was renewed but his voice fall
tered and he was only Just able, hesitat-
ingly. to declare that he was too over.
come to find words of thanks
After Mr.. Balfours tribute to Lord
Salisbury. which was universally COM
mended for it's tactful reserve. the house
was emptied. the members gathering on
the terrace and in the lobbies discussing
the important features that the day had
brought forth. King Edward received
Mr.. Balfour in audience today at Buck
ingham Palace and delivered to him the
seals Of his Office and the privy seal.
John Redmond. leader of the Irish par
~ in the House Of Commons. said to a
representative of the Association Press;
'oThe resignation Of Sir Michael Hicks
Beach will have a more immediate and
material result that Lord Salisbury's re-
tirement. Sir Michael HieksBeach was
an excellent check on Chamberlain. who
is now practically all powerful.
Il do not regard the general political