The San Francisco call., 1904-04-23
Passing OF Black Nichaei.
speelal correspondence o. . ~.


GARDEN. LONDON. April 1l.-Sir
Michael Hicks -Beach's announcement
that he will not seek reelection to the
House of Commons after the dissolu-
lion means that Parliament is about
TO lose one of its few remaining great
figures Of the past Salisbury is dead,
Harcourt has retired and when BLACK
Michael" as the famous eX-Chancel-
Tor of the Exchequer is known, de-
serts in his turn practically the only
remaining members OF the old guard
I'm Parliament will be Joseph Cham
berlain on one side and John Morley
on the other.
Though the titular father of the
House" by virtue OF having occupied
4 seat in il continuously longer than
any living member-fOrty years-Sir
Michael cannot be regarded as an old
man as old parliamentary hands go. He
is only 81 and entered Parliament
when he was %. -Four years later
that shrewd judge of men, Disraeli,
discovered" him and made him Tn
der Secretary Of the Home Depart
nent. Thereafter his political ad-
vancement was rapid. From 1874 to
1873 he was Chief Secretary for Ire
land. In 1873. two years after Cham
berlain had made his political debut.
he was appointed Colonial Secretary.
From 1885 TO 1856 he was Chancellor
Of the Exchequer. and president of
the Board of Trade from 1888 to 1892.
In 1895 he was again entrusted with
the nations purse strings. resigning
in 1902. He has held Office longer
than any OF his Conservative col
leagues
Under ordinary conditions the man
who had served his party so ably.
faithfully and zealously would have
waited for a fitting opportunity TO
make his exit from the Commons by
way Of the House of Lords, with a
peerage to console him in that region
of innocuous calm for the loss OF ac-
tual political power and the ap-
proaching infirmities of age. But Sir
Michael has put all this from him.
With his fighting powers still undi-
minished ne has decided to sheath
his sword and retire from the field of
battle TO devote himself to those pas
toral pursuits for which his 1000
acres afford ample scope.
Ii is Chamberlain-the masterful.
pushful. resourceful man, a year older
than himself, but much youn-
ger I'm appearance and still
more so in powers of adapt
ability4 to altered conditions
who has sidetracked the Baronet. The
Chamberlain gospel Of commercial re-
generation by means OF protection, re-
taliation and preferential colonial tar
ifs. which SO many of his party have
espOused, he regards as blasphsmous
heresy against the one true inspired
faith-free trade-and is convinced
that il can lead only to political per-
ditiOn and the weeping, wailing and
gnashing Of teeth that accompanies
overwhelming defeat. Too loyal to
Whig traditions Of fealty to fight
against his party. too true to his con-
victions TO follow it along the untried
paths whittier Chamberlain would
lead il. Sir Michael has no other re-
course than to become practically a
Parliamentary nOn-combatant and
nOnentity. or withdraw from the field.
IT will be generally thought that he
has chosen the less ignoble part.
There was hot time in the Cabinet
when, as Colonial Secretary. Chamber
lain tried TO boss Sir Michael. II ended
in Sir Michael resigning the Chancel-
lOrship of the Exchequer. Subsequent
~ Chamberlain resigned his post. But
nothing could illustrate more strikingly
the essential difference between the two
men than the fact that the Birming-
ham member now bulks larger than
ever in the nations eye, while the Bar
onet has almost dropped out Of sight.
And gall and wormwood it must have
been to him to see chamberlain's son.
young Austen, filing his place as the
nations purseholder
When a nickname sticks to a man it
is generally because of its innate ap-
prOpriateness. That is why the epithet
which the turbulent Irish members be-
slowed on him when he was Irish Sec
retary-"Blaclx Michael"-has clung to
him ever since. His stern expression of
countenance seldom relaxes in Parlia-
nent frown is seen on il much
oftener than q smile. He has always
taken the game OF politics very serious
ly. He has none Of that exuberant Joy
in controversy which causes many men
to seek refreshment in verbal warfare
His is the bulldogs temperament. lie
has never gone around seeking trouble
bat when attacked his eyes glow, he
turns savagely on his assailant and
generally manages to hurt him some
where, for 10 an frascible temper he
unftes a sharp and bitter tongue, and
has a genius for discovering his op-
ponent's raw spot. Lord Randolph
Churchill found this out when he start
ed in to smash the old Conservative
gang" and decided that Sir Michael
was a good man to let alone.
Round about his own country seat
he is said TO be an amiable man
enough. but that trait he has always
studiously concealed in the House OF
Commons. Hence he has never beer
popular there. Many time in the lob
bies and lounging rooms he has beer
known to pass by his intimate ac-
quaintances without word or so much
as a nod OF recognition. They do not
resent il, knowing that no rudeness is
intended by il. 1t is just his way
Another popularity Of his is that OF
soliloquizng aloud when others arc
speaking. In this way he has Otter