Daily Kennebec journal., 1902-07-15
PREMIER BALFOUR
Quietly Takes Up Reins Laid
Down by Salisbury.
Enthusiastically Greeted at Foreign
Office Meeting and in Commons.
Chancellor Of Exchequer Hicks Beach
Tenders Resignation.


aims premier, and the new reign be.
gins its work. The change was marked
by only one really dramatic incident
namely, the resignation of Sir Michae
filcks-Beach from his post of chancel-
| lor of the eXchequer. 1t is safe to say
that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach is only
the first of several whose names have
figured largely before the public in the
last half century who now will disap.
| pear from the political arena. Nothing
absolutely definite is yet settled. but
the Unionist party expects shortly tc
hear of the designations of Earl HAS
bury, lord high chancellor; Lord James
of Hereford chancellor of the duchy OF
Lancaster. and Earl Cadogan, lord
lieutenant of ireland.
For Sir Michael Hicks Beachs place
Right Hon. r. w. Hanbury, now presi-
dent of the board of agriculture, is the
|efavorite. In the pending reconstruc-
ton. which may not be completed for
some time to come, Mr.. BaIfour will
remain the leader in the House of Com
mons and first lord of the treasury,
with Mr.. Chamberlain still in command
of the colonies as his first lieutenant.
If Lord Halsbury, on account of his
great age, fills predictions by retiring,
Lord Alverstone will succeed to the
woolsack. Sir Richard Hem Collins be-
coming lord chief justice, Sir r. B. Fin
lay succeeding him as master of the
rolls. Sir E. H. Carson, now solicitor
general, becoming attorney general,
and probably Charles Alfred Cripps,
attorney general to the Prince of
Wales. succeeding to the solicitor gen.
eralship.
On one point the members of the
House of Commons, who throughout
the day animatedly discussed the new
state of affairs, seemed practically
unanimous and that was that Austen
Chamberlain. financial secretary to the
treasury, would be promoted, a ma
jority mentioning him likely to sue
ceed Mr.. Hanbury, should the latter
chequer.
There is absolutely no serious antici-
patton of a general election.
Mr.. BalfOur's first appearance in The
House of Commons as premier, was
characteristic of the man and of the
assembled. Peers came into the stran-
gers gallery and leaned expectantly
upon lHe rails. olT MlcIldtl f1lcbS-
Beach sat gloomily among .he col
leagues he was so soon to leave. Sud
denly the clatter ceased and there stole
from behind the Speakers chair the
long. thin figure of the prime minister.
From all sides of the House there rose
a chorus of Hear, hear the members
rose and kept up the applause till Mr..
Balfour. who sidled 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 Zimmerman, the
Liberal leader, stopped further bust
ness by making such a feeling personal
reference to Mr.. Balfour as is seldom
heard in executive bodies, and which
was delivered with an emotion that
quite unnerved the premier. When Mr..
Balfour rose to reply the ovation was
renewed but his voice faltered and he
was only just able hesitatingly, to de-
clare that he was too overcome to find
words of thanks.
London, July 14.-Sir Michael Hicks
Beach has resigned as chancellor of
the eXchequer.
Perhaps never has a change of
premiership been effected with so lit
tie dislocation of business. either pub
lie or private, as accompanied the
transfer of the seals of office from
Lord Salisbury to A. ]. Balfour.
The occurrence had no effect what
ever on the Stock Exchange The only
l. fsr
announced is the chancellorship of eX-
chequer, though others are fore
shadowed.
Mr. Balfour in addressing the first
meeting of his followers at the for
eign office, this afternoon, informed
them that he could not count on the
continued assistance of Sir Michael
Hicks Beach. but could count on the
latter's good wishes.
The public showed little interest in
the party meeting. which was sum-
moned for noon, and the members OF
Parliament gathered in Downing street
almost unnoticed. The new premier.
when he entered the conference rooms
of the foreign office. accompanied by
| the Duke of Devonshire. Sir Michael
| Hicks-Beach. Lord Londonderry and
others. received quite an ovation, all
| present standing and loudly cheering
| him.
| When Mr. Balfour rose up to ad-
dress the meeting all again stood up
and cheered the new chief. so soon
as quiet was restired. Mr.. Balfour re-
ferred to the loss of the services of the
chief who for nearly 80 years had beer
engaged in active political life. Nc
one, he said. would grudge him his
well-earned repose, though his loss was
irreparable.
Il do not flatter myself, proceeded
the premier. that the gap he has left
/ can be filed. But the place he has
4 left must be occupied and ii is be-
cause the King has desired me to dc
nv best to take that position that
have asked you to meet me. today
have accepted great task and heavy
responsibility, certainly from no over
weening belief in my own capacity
hut because am sure. or at least have
every reason to believe that in at
4 (Continued on page 81