Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-05
OLD BL0CK~AND CHIP.
New Anecdotes of Joe"
Chamberlain and Son.
Elders Youthful Appearance is Still
Marked.
Son Realized Ambition That Father
Failed to Fulfil.

THE members" says one chronicler
poured into the chamber in pushing.
bustling, vociferating crowd. One
white-haired member, of an age almost
that Of the venerable premier was
crowd. The Irish members engaged in
tussle for places which resembled a
football scrimmage."
In that fierce struggle Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain, probably the strongest
opponent of the bill, would have lost
his seat had not his son Austen dashed
ahead through the crowd and kept it
until his father arrived. Austen, who
became chancellor of the excheuuer
when his father and the preceding
chancellor, c. T. Richie, recently re-
signed from the cabinet, had just been
elected a member of parliament. It
was his first duty in the house, but he
showed an astonishing ability to fight
for his own and his fathers interests.
Behold a PARALLEL said an old lib
eral politician. He's keeping Joe's
seat warm now, but some day he will
sit in it by his own right. Keep your
eye on that young man. He's chip of
the old block, and some day he will do
great things"
Everybody remarked how wonder
fully the son resembled the father. He
was his double. The same eye-glass,
the same orchid, the same immaculate
frock coat, spOtless linen am neat
necktie, the same spare, clean-cut cold,
expressionless face. the same black
hair brushed fiat on the scalp as if it
were plastered down.
Hes the very image of joe" every
body said. Twill he be like him in
character and ability?"
Time proved. Three months after
he was elected a member of parliament,
Austen Chamberlain made his n;,.~en
home rule bill. 1t was a brilliant
speech, and everybody then remarked
how marvelously the son resembled the
father in expression, mannerisms. style
of speaking and trend of thought, as
well as in face and dress. Mr.. ....u-
stone, who for years had been the faith
er's. bitter political enemy, took occa-
sion of the sons triumph to pay both
Of them pretty compliment.
"The previous speakers" he said
when replying on the whole debate as
prime minister, "have evaded the real
point at issue. The only exception
remember was in the speech of the
honorable member for East Worcester
shire (Mr Austen Chamberlain).
will not embark on any elaborate eulo-
gy of that speech. I will endeavor to
sum up in a few words what I desire
to say of it. 1t was a speech that must
have been dear and refreshing to a
fathers heart. It was a speech that
foretells a great career"
Mr.. Gladstone was not wont to be
ELUSIVE in his praise. This compliment
of his invited public attention on Aus
ten Chamberlain from the start of his
career and led the public to expect
great things of him. 1t has not been
disappointed. He has shown great
ability in debate and in administration
and fairly earned the successive gov
eminent positions to which he has been
appointed. Even his opponents have
never alleged that he was unfit, or that
he obtained his promotion merely be-
cause he was the son of his father.
Austen Chamberlain is the eldest son
and has never married, although he Is
now forty years old. In that respect
only does he differ markedly from his
father, who has been twice widowed
when he reached that age.
There is very strong bond of af-
ection and mutual respect between the
two men. The son still lives with his
father Though he t. --~i1dle-aged
and wealthy statesman he has never
81. ;cb, ~ nj hic
Both men find their greatest pleasure
and recreation in each others society
They go to and from the house of COM
mons together arm in arm twice day
when the house is in session: they fire.
uuent the same club. the Devonshire; they
are both fond of an evening at the thea
| ter, when the house is not sitting, and
they both take great pains to elude the
| interviewer and hide their private life
from the gaze of the public.
1t is curious how little the public knows
of Joseph Chamberlain the man. Because
he is keen and cynical in debate, q hard
hitter and q fearless foe the impression
has got abroad that he is Mcphistophe-
liam kind of person. His son Austen.
having adopted the same public manner.
is similarly judged. Yet it would be
difficult to find two men with warmer
hearts and keener sympathies. two men
who love their fellow men in more prac-
teal way. Their private charities IN
Birmingham and London are countless.
Good fellows. both of EN-" was the
verdict of an old Birmingham artisan.
II don't agree with their politics, but
they've done a tremendous lot for this
citv Joe was always good fellow from;
the time he entered the town council,
when q mere boy, and Austen taxes alter
him.
II remember when Joe first started out.
aWay back in the seventies to make Biz
mineham a decent place. There was
nothin' but dirt and naStinesS to live III.
tben--nothin' but stinks and smells. Tho
yollug 'lrns died off like flies, and the old
folks soaked beer all the time. 1t WAS
their onlv comfort in that ell of place
But Joe got the worst streets pulled
down and every place made decent. Night
and dav he went round the sums looking
after the sick and the poor, giving away
barrels of money. finding jobs for the
ioafers. and persuading men to go to
work instead of getting drunk and knock
ing their wives and children about.
SAusten does that kind o work here
now hut we don't see the old gentleman
much nowadays I hear. though. that he
does a POWERFUL lot o good in London"
A stranger would take Joseph and Aus
ton C>hamberlain for brothers. no father
and son. The former is nearly seventy,
hnt does not look more tnah hIly. lie
has never looked his age
Jesse Ceilings, Mr.. Champerlaln politi-
cal lieutenant. used to be fond OF teilng