Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-07-07
HOLIDAY FOR
CHAMBERLAIN

Birmingham. July THE whole
city irrespective OF politics is enjoy
ing holiday in honor of the Giistin-
guished tariff reformer Joseph Cham
berlain, who today celebrated his 70
birthday. There are decorations
everywhere, and the city is filled with
visitors, while all sorts Of professions
and entertainments are going on.
Despite the vicissitudes of his po-
litioal career during the past few years
Mr.. Chamberlain remains the idol Of
his home city, which he has represent
ed in parliament continuously for
thirty years.
In 1863 (when 80 years old) Mr..
Chamberlain began his political ca
reer. For five years he was an agi-
tator. chiefly in support of a national
education entirely free from denomi-
national control. Ten years later he
was unanimously elected president Of
the Birmingham school board. which,
next to that Of London. Is the most
important in Great Britain. Thrice
elected mayor Of Birmingham, re re-
formed. swept clean. lighted. and set
in order this important city. deserv-
eddy earning the highest reputation as
a municipal administrator.
After having unsuccessfully contest
ed Sheffield in 1874, he was returned
to parliament for Birmingham in
June. 1875. At the general election Of
April. 1880. Mr. Chamberlain was re-
turned for Birmingham with Mr..
NUM- and Br. Bright. and when Mr.
Gladstone formed his ministry he was
nominated president Of the board Of
trade. with seat in the cabinet.
After the formation Of Mr.. Glad
stones cabinet in 1885 Tin which he
was president Of the local government
board) Mr.. Chamberlain resigned ow-
! ing to disagreement with his leader
on home rule for Ireland. and at the
general election Of 1885. when he was
returned from West Birmingham
without opposition. he stood as a pro-
nounced liberal Unionist. and sew
cred all connection with the Gladston-
ian party. In 1887 he visited America
on the Fisheries commission. returning
to the United States the following
year, when he married the only
daughter Of w. c. Endicott. a member
Of President Cleveland's cabinet.
Upon the elevation Of Lord Harting-
ton to the peerage an Duke OF Devon
shire, Mr.. Chamberlain became the
leader Of the Liberal Unionist party
in the house Of commons. and dis
charged the duties Of this position
faithfully and ably. Upon the change
Of government in 1895 Mr. Chamber
lain had his choice Of position and he
decided at once to take tho Colonial
secretaryship. With keen instinct he
saw in this post the opportunity Of his
political life.
He recognized that the defeat Of the
home rule party had kindled an i'm
perial sentiment throughout the
length and breadth Of the British en-
pire. England had had great" prime
ministers, great" foreign secretar-
les. great" war secretaries. but 1t re.
manned foy Chamberlain to become the
frst great colonial secretary. He be-
lieves thoroughly In colonial expan-
sion and development and in uniting
England's possessions to her by that
irresistible tie OF sentiment which Il
lighter than air and stronger than
steel. He bent every energy and his
consummate genius of construction tc
this end and upon the success Of this
work rests his world wide reputation
as a statesman and an administrator