The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-15
Result of Woolwich Election Was
Il Stunning Defeat to the
British Ministry.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EVENT.
Working Glasses Have Begun to
Act Together in Protest
Against RuinOus Extrava-
gance of the Government.
BY HERBERT PAUL.

Special. BY CABLE TO THE NEW YORK
GERALD AND THE ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC
London. March E-Copyright. 1901
The result of the Woolwich election was q
complete surprise to the general public. as
we'll as to every one concerned. VIII
Crooks the labor candidate. who was sup
ported by the whole strength of the Liberal
party in the borough. defeated his ConseEv-
alive opponent. Nj. Drsge. in what was
considered one of the safest Tory seats by
more than 1900 votes.
The Tory majority was nearly 5000 Such
tremendous turnover is almost unpre-
cedented in the history of popular elections.
The blow to the Government. which.
through the Prime Minister. warmly es-
poused the cause of Mr.. Drage. is severe.
and the encouragement of the opposition
will be proportionate.
Mr. Crooks is one of those Radicals who
denounced the South African war from the
beginning, and was not afraid OF peinS
called a pro-Boer.
The Significance Of his triumph, however,
Is far wider than any issue between polit-
ical parties. 1t shows that the working
classes have at length begun to act TO-
gether for the protection of their own IN
terests and in protest against the ruinous
extravaganza with which the country Is
threatened by the policy Of the Ministers.
Discomfort Is GENERAL.
That the discomfort with unnecessary tax
alton extends beyond the limits of the LIB
eral party is shown by the division in the
House of Commons on Wednesday, when
the Government was only saved from a
moral defeat on the amendment for cutting
down the army estimates because the Ma
tionalists, mindful of the Irish land bill.
walked out of the House.
But the woolwich election Is incompar-
ably more important than the division in
the House. 1t shows revuison Of public
feeling in the most numerous class. which
may lead before long to consequences not
hitherto regarded as possible by practical
politicians
The Independence of the judicial bench
has been indicated in a striking manner
by the decision of the High Court against
the London and Globe Finance Corporation,
alias Whitaker Wright. The law officers
of the Crown refused a direct prosecution
of this man. although the public investfga-
ton of the company's affairs had proved
the existence OF false and fraudulent ball
ance, sheets.
House of Commons by way OF amendment
to the address, the Attorney General de-
clared that no facts had been brought to his
notice which, even If contradicted- would
bring Wright within reach Of the criminal
law
Inc ooHcitor Generai WAS even Eiore eii-
phatic
He assured the House that there was no
act Of Parliament which covered such a
case.
QUESTION AT ISSUE.
The general sense of both parties was 50
revolted by this apparent failure 1T Justice
that the Prime Minister only escaped defeat
by promising an amendment Of the law. Mr..
Balfour is not to be blamed for following
he adyica NJ those who are maid ad-
wise him. but the Judgment Of Mr.. Justice
Buckley shows cJnclusively that 20 amend
ment OF law is required.
Wright may have complete answer to
the charges brought against him. That Is .
question which jury must decide. Mr.. JUS
tice Buckley had not tc decide ii, nor cid 1t
come within ths purview Of the Attorney
and Solicitor General. They had to deter
mine whether there was q case requiring an
answer. They said that there was not. Tho
Judge says that there is and thsy have,
therefore. been overruled by judicial au-
thority.
1t Is true that the Judge in his most
lucid review of the facts and Of the law
draws q subtle distinction between the po-
sition Of the law officers and his own. They
may even. he suggests. have held that the
public money should not be spent In prose-
cutting Wright because there were avail
able funds for the purpose in the assets OK
the company.
Unfortunately for the Government, their
law officers said no such thing. but de-
Tended their conduct by doubtless an hon.
est, but an extremely perverse misrepre-
sentation of the law.
Indifference to commercial morality Is 50
prevalent that the remarks of Mr.. Justice
Buckley upon the necessity Of maintaining
It are timely as they are true This Cabi-
net which has been called Cabinet Of di-
rectors," will do well to consider them very
II he m r..
ing that the directorships held by his coll
leagues are a positive advantage to them as
public men, Il can only be because their
connection with companies impresses them
with the sense Of duty which Mr.. Justice
Buckley prescribes.