The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-11
JOE CHArBERLAIN'S DOUBLE.
REMARKABLE RESEMBLANCE OF
FATHER AND son.

FATHER AND son.
Austen Chamberlain Like His Father In
Locks. Mannerisms and specch-The
Two Inseparable Cempanions-Pefen'
Mai Youth OF tho Father-Cha9ties
When Mr.. Gladstone introduced his
second Home Rule bill on Feb. IS. 1893
the House Of Commons was the scene Of
an extraordinary scrimmage.
The MEMBERS" says one chronicier
poured into the chamber in pushing
busting, vociferating crowd. One white
haired member, of an age almost that Of
the venerable Premier, was thrown down
under the feet OF the crowd. The Irish
members engaged in a tussle for places
which resembled football scrimmage."
In that fierce struggle Joseph Chamber
lain. proh bly, the strongest opponent OF
the bill, would have lost his seat had not
his son Austen dashed ahesd through the
crowd and kept it until his father arrived.
Austen. who became Chancellor Of the
Exchequer when his father and the pre-
ceding Chancellor. C. T. Richie, recently
resigned from the cabinet, had just been
elected Member Of Parliament. 1t was
his first day in the House, but he showed
an astonishing ability to fight for his own
and his fathers interests.
Behold parallel" said an old Liberal
politician. He's keeping Joes 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
will do great things"
Everybody remarked now wonderfully
the son resembled the father. He was his
double. The same eyeglass, the same
orchid the same immaculate frock coat,
spotless linen and neat necktie, the same
spare, clean cut, cold, expressionless face,
the same black hair brushed fiat on the
head as If it were plastered down.
Hes the very image Of joe everybody
said. will he be like him in character and
ablity?' :.
Three months after he was elected a
Member of Parliament Austen Chamber
lain made his maiden speech in the House
Of commons on the Home Rule bill. 1t
was brilliant speech, and everybody
then remarked how marvellously the son
resembled the father in expression, man.
nerisms, style of speaking and trend OF
thought, as we'll as in face and dress.
Mr.. Gladstone, who for years had been
the fathers bitter political enemy. took
occasion of the sons triumph to pay both
Of them pretty compliment.
THE previous speakers he said, when
replying on the whole debate as Prime Min
lister, have evaded the real point at issue
Nv,l,, Il .Lnr L., ~
speech Of the honorable member for East
Worcestershire Mr.. Austen Chamberlain
twill not embark on any elaborate eulogy
Of that speech. l will endeavor to sum uE
in few words what desire to say Of it
1t was speech that must have been dear
and refreshing to fathers heart. 1t wa
a speech that foretells great career"
This compliment riveted public atten-
ton on Austen Chamberlain from the start
of his career and led the public to expect
great things Of him. 1t has not been dis.
appointed.
He has shown great ability in debate
and in administration, and fairly earned
the successive Government offices to which
he has been appointed Even his oppo-
nents have never alleged that he was unfit
or that he obtained his promotion merely
because he was the son of his father.
Austen Chamberlain is the eldest son
and has never married although he is now
40. In that respect only does he differ
markedly from his father, who had beer
twice bereaved when he reached that age
There is very strong bond Of affection
and respect between the two men. The
son still lives with his father.
Though he is a middie-aged and wealthy
statesman he has never set up an estab
lishment Of his own. Both men find theil
greatest pleasure and recreation In each
others society.
They go to and from the House OF Com
mons arm in arm twice day wher
the House is in session; they frequent
the same club, the Devonshire; they ar,
both fond Of an evening together at tn,
theatre when the House is not sitting, anc
they both take great pains to elude thu
interviewer and to hide their private lif,
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, hare
hitter and fearless foe, the impression hat
got abroad that he is Mephistophelian
kind OF person. His son Austen, having
adopted the same public manner, is simi
larly judged.
Yet it would be difficult to find two mer
with warmer hearts and keener sympathies
two men who love their fellow men in q
more practical way. Their private chart.
ties in Birmingham and London are
countless.
"Good fellows, both of EN- was the
verdict Of an old Birmingham artisan
Il don't agree with their politics. but they We
done tremendous lot for this city.
Joe was always good fellow from
the time he entered the Town Council
when mere boy, and Austen takes after
him. l remember when Joe first started
out, away back in the '7Os. to make Biz
mingham decent place
Joe got the worst streets pulled down
and every place made decent Night and
day he went round the slums, looking after
the sick and the poor, giving away barrels
Of money, finding jobs for the loafers and
persuading men to go to work instead OF
getting drunk and knocking their wives
and children about.
Austen does that kind of work here now
but we don't see the old gentleman much
nowadays. / hear, though, that he does
powerful lot O good in London"
A stranger would take Joseph and Austen
Chamberlain for brothers, not father anC
son. The former is nearly 10, but does
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