New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-23
ENGLISH PUBLIC MEN.
Nr. Wurdham's Retirement-Lord
Cascdor IN Office.
London. March s.

4s.+,o ,r;n6ov dresser from Office IS a proof
.ba+ .be irish stock is too miscellaneous to be
effectively displayed Mr.. George wyndham is
= GENITAL optinnist who never loses either his
&c ar q politician or his faith that everything
e coming out right. In the darkest hour OF the
1soe- war when the country was under black
cloud Of depression. he remained cheerful and
honeful. and made most plausible and useful
sneeehes as Under Secretary for War. showing
cha. the military system was working well and
,bst there were more battalions In readiness for
che campaign IN South Africa than there had
been az the outset, and that the auxiliary forces
formed unbroken line Of reserves. His brill
.ant services at that period ought to have been
rewarded. his friends thought, by his promo
fion 10 the post OF Secretary for War when the
Cabinet was reorganized; but he was passed
over because * was considered necessary to let
loose reforroer in Pail Mall Mr.. Wyndham
forced TO cross st. Jamess Park to Bird
Cage Walk and TO cool OF his martial ardor in
the Irish Office. where for thirty years or more
two stalwart police officers have been patrolling
q narrow passage night and day a safeguard
against dynamite operations. He speedily inter
ested himself IN his work and IN due time pro-
ouced and carried complex Land Purchase
bill which. he asserted with revival Of his old
tine optimism, would reconcile land owners and
tenants and be a genuine measure Of peace in
Ireland. Hardly had his costly scheme been en-
acted before the sympathetic policy was taken
ID efresh IN vague proposals for the endowment
Of Catholic university and in the appointment
of Sir Antony mcdonnell. a convinced Home
Ruler from the India service Under Secre-
ta-y; and after a transition period during which
Naticnslists and Ulster Unionists have been
alternately played with. Mr.. Wyndham is again
sacrificed and forced TO withdraw from the gov
eTament-
When so accomplished an artist as Mr.. Wynd-
ham throws I'D his hands with a gesture OF
despair and retires 70 the background it is evil
dent that there are too many policies and Cross
purposes in plain sight. There are, for example.
the Land Purchase bill enacted the Prime
Minister'S strong plea for a Catholic university
es an act Of justice. the appointment Of a Ma
ronsIist as Permanent Secretary, and q series
Of conferences IN which a close approach was
made 10 Home Rule. In contrast with these
practical evidences Of sympathetic treatment
and government in accordance with Irish ideas
are the Redistribution bill mentioned in the
Kings speech and the Prime Minister'S letter
warning the country that the policy of Home
Rule only awaits the formation of Radical
government IN order 10 become a dangerous
menace 10 the Union. Either series OF exhibits
IS complete by itself. but the window cannot be
dressed 20 produce an harmonious effect
may lose as many as thirty seats. is an effective
demonstration Of Unionist hostility to Home
Rule: but IL is entirely inconsistent with the
course OF sympathetic treatment adopted since
Nj. Wyndham has been IN the Irish Office Sir
Antony MacDonneI. Lord Dudley and Mr.
Wyndharn In their conferences with National
lists and Lord Dunraven's association went q
long way 81 the direction Of Home Rule and
while they did not commit themselves to definite
measures. succeeded IN offending and frighten-
fng the Ulster Unionists. No Encouragement of
the political models and wares is possible, and
consequently Mr. Wyndham has put up the
shutters and left the shop. Spectators lingering
near the closed window find themselves wonder
ing how Il VIII look when the Liberals are in
Office and prepared 10 expose to view their as
sortment OF Home Rule notions
The true explanation Of Mr. wyndhan1's re-
tirement after his astonishing success IN secur-
ing the passage Of so large measure as the
Land Purchase act is his chvalrous nature.
While he is naturally conciliatory and fond Of
compromises by which weights and balances
delicately adjusted. he watches the scales
closely and knows when concessions are carried
too far He knew instantly when Lord Dun
raven had Numbered and the Permanent Under
Secretary had been entangled in Home Rule ne
gotiations; and he promptly disclalmed respon-
sibility for the conferences. But when the re-
sentiment both OF the Ulster men and Of the Ma
tionalists had been excited. he was unwilling
70 save himself by sacrificing Sir Antony Mac
Donneu. who was recommended by Lord Lans-
downe and had been carrying out the general
policy OF conciliatiOn favored by the King in
Ireland well in South Africa and in diplo-
matte relations with France. His own resigna-
ton seemed the easiest way out of an awkward
ana wellnigh impossible situation: and GER
tainly il leaves his honor unsulIied and his
friendship for his associates In the Ministry and
In Dublin Castle unclouded with self-interest.
Bis career IN the Irish Office ends with an act
OF self-sacrifice Men who leave public life in
So unselhsh a spirit usually return to it with
Increased prestige WREN there has been leisure
for critical study Of motives and for adequate
appreciation of noble traits Of character.
The natural application Of Lord Rosebery's
doctrine OF Efficiency is the business man in
high Office. Mr.. Balfour has given the country
a striking object lesson Of the practical science
OF government in the selection Of the new First
Lord OF the Admiralty. Lord Ca wdor, before
he succeeded TO the earldom, was a popular
member Of the Commons for eleven years, but
oid not fully redeem the promise of a brilliant
career. He retired from politics. became chair
man Of the Great Western Railway and de-
voted his energies to great business interests.
In the course OF the last ten years that cor
poration, controlling. with exception. the
largest mileage in the kingdom. has been
brought up 10 the first rank in efficiency Of
railway management, and the Improvement has
been due mainly 10 his vigilant supervision. He
has also been an Ecclesiastical Commissioner
IN charge OF large revenues an Industrious
member o. q county council responsible for
local administration. and active director Of
the Royal Agricultural Society. In the best