New-York tribune., 1905-07-26
Mr.. BALF0UR,S SMILE.
Htfth the Inference That He Man
Be the Last to Laugh.
London Inlv

triumph since the new Speaker who had ,,r,,,
ally been selected by him. had decided ths, the
redistribution resolutions. involving eiebt o
nine propositions, must be discussed in detail Mr.
Redmond ana Mr.. Bowles, who We're certainl,
ss good Parliamentarians as the Prime Minister
had made this point. and the Speaker aftar =
careful study Of the precedents had SUSTAINED
their objections % government procedura srb,
opposition laughed, shouted and ieered ovar
1i-- Rahour apparent discontinue since II was
evident that there would be no time ~ the end
~ The session for detailed discussion. and that
the withdrawal of the resolutions would he com,
rulsory. Meanwhile. The Prime Minister. indif
terent to what was going on around him. gos-
siped pleasantly with HIS colleagues and sur
veyed the Opposition with beaming face Whom
rhe tumult suhsided and his tall spare figure
lowered in the centre OF the House his smile
became inteHigible. He had not been taken bv
surprise; he had expected the decision and his
own action, Ike that OF the Speaker would be
regulated by iprecedents As Mr. Dis-aeU had
Done III $50 when similar series OF proposals
was ruled out. he would withdraw the resolu-
-ions and produce bin at hts earliest conven-
ience Again che Prime Minister smiled and his
followers. regaining their spirits applaudAd
heartily. They did not regret the fate of the
resolutions since they had not liked the lines on
which legislation was proposed: but they were
impressed with their leaders self-possession and
were confident that. with his characteristic dex-
rer1ty he would find way out Of his embar-
easements. n he had not deliberately contrived
the whole situation When they received in
Tho course of a few hours. the summons for a
meeting - the Conservative and Unionist mem
hers a. the Foreign Office they We're convinced
that their leader had not bIundered but was
acting with superior intelligence and subtletv
Redistribution according TO American stand
q he sin
matics- Population is the only basis for repre-
sertarion. and as it shrinks or increases rela-
rivey in the various States or sections the unit
must he raised and seats rearranged with the
closest possible approach 10 mathematical pre-
es.on. In the United Kingdom. where the fran
chise has been enlarged generation after genera
tor with conservative caution and compromises
based on expedency. more indirect methods Of
reform are considered necessary Mr.. Gerald
Bafour. who has been experimenting with the
problem and showing MS slate to the Prime
Minister has not sought 10 find common unit
~ representation as would he done in America
after fresh census. He has followed the prece-
denrs of reform bills and set two standards:
one for disfrsnchisement at 1880: and the other
FOR enfranchsement at 5000 No objection
has been raised. at least outside the Nationalist
group. 10 The method Of readjustment which is
IN conformity with traditions and precedents.
rut it has been generally conceded that the DIFF
ference between the maximum and the minimum
IS TOO great and ought 10 be materially reduced
Equity requires that the limit for enfranchise-
ulen1 should be lowered and that the correspond
ing limit for disfranchisenent should be raised:
hut readjustmert Of this kind depends less
upon mathematics than upon expediency and
the natural method q bringing ii about would
he private consultation between the two front
benches leading Up 10 non-partisan com
promise for the convenience Of both parties and
The welfare OF the country. Mr.. DisraeIf when
he proposed his resolutions in 1887 was sup
ported by minority Of the Commons Depend
ent upon the tolerance OF the majority he asked
for assistance and cooperation. and when Mr.
Gladstone and the Liberals met him in friendly
spirit understanding was reached and the
results were embodied in a reform bill Mr.
"a -four in the present instance is not dependent
upon the good VIII OF the opposition but he has
solicited non-psrtissn consideration of a COM
plex question with which IL is both awkward
and hazardous for either party 10 deal by itself
His attitude is scrupuously correct in appealing,
as NIr. Disraen did. % the spirit OF accommoda-
ton on the opposite side Of the House yet he has
been met with OUTLAWS Of merriment and dis
PLAYS of psrtisanship.
When the Prime Minister received his follow
ers - could address them. not as q bafied and
discomfted leader. but as constitutional states
man who had undertaken a great task in the
traditional way. The resolutions had been pro
posed in order that there might BE- an oppor-
iguitv for disclosing the lines OF redistribution
of political power and ascertain ming the trend OF
opinion before the production Of the bill itself
when II was necessary TO withdraw them, over
lures made 20 the opposition for co-opera-
fion in securing a non-partisan measure by pri-
vare consultations. At the same time the gov
errWeut's followers We're summoned TO a coun-
I'll which The situation could be explained.
The tentative resolutions had been dropped; but
the scheme would be taken I'D and enacted al
me next session. There was no lack OF frrnness
in the Prime Minister'S explanation OF the gov
sr-nert's Intentions flexible as his methods had
heeu and conciatorv as his attitude remained
toward the opposition IN this emergency Mr.
Balfou~ has risen 70 the full stature OF a British
statesman: and he appears 10 greater advantage
than mis- antagonists. who are treating political
reform as though IL were a political football.
The redistribution scheme outlined in the reso-
luriors was defective without doubt, but his
method or presenting the subject worthy Of
no best traditions Of the Commons. even II ne
perceived iu advance that partiss nship would
prsFsl and conferences between the leading men
~ 10th parties be prevented. As = tactician.
moreover Mr.. Balfogr has sustained his high
reputation For months he has been exposed
n reprosch for clinEing 10 Office when the coun-
try vas against him the fiscal question and
anxious 70 restore the Liberals 70 power. The
taurt was not justified FOR without reference 10
Mr- cham berisin's proposals II is well nigh Ger
tain that = general election has not been desired
while many dangerous foreign questions re-
main uueeffled. What the Prime Minister WIN