The San Francisco call., 1904-10-02

LONDON. Oct. AT last Andrew
Carnegie has succeeded in getting his
particular croDy, John Morley-un-
doubteoIy the most intimate of his
friends, and also the man who Of late
has had most influence over him-to
promise TO go with him to America
So this interesting pair will set forth
in a few days. after having talked it
all over at Skibo Castle.
And the Right Hon. John Morley will
be worth seeing. He comes nearer than
any one else 10 being the successor of
his old friend Gladstone, as England's
most distinguished plain citizen, part
y because Of his great name as a man
OF letters and partly because of the
height and general remOUeness Of the
political pinnacle on which he sits,
looking down rather sadly on the
squabbling and muddling that goes
on below him.
There was a shrewd and sympathetic
picture Of John Morley IN Israel Zang-
Wills novel, The Mantle OF Elijah"
Of which the statesman who is about
10 visit the United States for the first
tine was undoubtedly the hero. There
in IS given some idea Of the only man
in political life on whom the King has
conferred the recently invented order
of merit-an order worth considerably
more. TO John Morley than the peerage
h could have had if he had cared for
such tawdry things as coronets-
Carnegie's personal devotion to John
Morley is so pronounced as to have be-
- come proverhial. Whenever the states
1l~e 1fr Her- in +fn or
on-tae stump, there-if he car get there
is THE Pittsburg- -Skipo millionaire,
drinking in every word as if it were
- gospel and applauding like a school
boy every time he gets a chance.
Whenever Carnegie comes to London
these two queerly assorted pals are
sure TO be together most of the time,
and whenever the Laird of Skibo is
Ln the Highlands the latch string is
always out for his dearest friend.
Is CALLED HONEST JOHN"
II is not to Morley's profound schoI-
arship, his rare Intellectual gifts, his
brilliant literary achievements or his
craftsmanship that he owes the unique
position which he occupies in public
esteem here. People may differ from
him on matters Of Opinion-the majori-
~'ty have generally done so-but political
- friends and foes alike are all one in
.- their belief in his bed rock honesty Of
:. purpose. It is. this which has won for
;. him. that familiar -sobriQuet of Hon
est John" in the House Of Commons.
Not even for the advantage Of his par
ty-and for party ends many good men
- have. done. some shady things and
found no difficulty in quieting their
-.ci7nsci ience-will~ John Morley stray a
- hairs breadth. from what he believes
; 10 be the right course.
.@e0f. this implacable rectitude he fur
nished a striking example early in his
parliamentary career. In the general
election Of 1sS5-he had then been only
three years in the House-he stood for
Newcastle. Organized labor had there
declared in favor Of the eight hour day
and insisted that their Parliamentary
representative should adopt the same
view. But Morley believed that COM
pulsory limitation of the hours OF la
. Dor by legislative action was inimical
70 the interests Of the workingman. He
declined to obey the mandate, even If
II cost him his seat-and II very nearly
did.
Accepting Office in Gladstone's new
ministry as Chief Secretary for Ire
land he was faced with the necessity,
II accordance with English law, of
again appealing to his constituency for
election. Opposition to him on account
OF his attitude on the eight hour oues-
tion was stronger than ever. The
temptation TO temporize would have
in public life. His defeat would have
administered a staggering blow to
Gladstone's government and might
have involved its collapse. Apart from
al consideration Of his own political
future, on seemingly high patriotic
grounds he might have found plausible
reasons for tempering with his con-
victions. But such a course never
seemed 70 have suggested itself to his
mind
SCORES ANOTHER VICTORY.
He went down TO Newcastle, nailed
his colors with 'frmer hand to the mast,
fought the fight over again and won it
again by a greatly increased majority.
It was, by the way. Gladstone's Sc
lection Of Morley as Irish Secretary
which first caused personal estrange-
nent between the Grand Old Man and
Chamberlain, producing a rift within
the lutte that, quickly widening, made
the music Of their friendship mute.
The pushful Birmingham member had
expected the Office himself.
In private life Morley is described as
one Of the most genial Of hosts and cor
dial and delightful companions. But one
thing Ee lacks which marks him as a
man apart from most Of his fellows
lie has no amusements. From his youth
up only intellectual pleasures have an
pealed to him He revels in long walks
across the hills, or solitary neditations
in country lanes. Still more does he
enjoy good book and a shady seat
III some quiet garden. He seldom goes
70 the theater. His one relaxation is
music. Of which. ike Balfour he is
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