The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04

nevertheless, insists that the reader shoulc
see in this resignation no inexplicable
mystery, no deep laid intrigue, no explosion
Of temper, but the logical and inevitable
consequence Of all that had gone before
he reminds us that everything may 60
well with q liberal minded man who belongs
to the Tory party while his party is In
opposition. 1t is not until men who really
differ try to work together at the business
| Of government that their worst troubles
begin. Even in tho short Conservative
Administr ration of 1885 the divergence be-
tween Lord Salisbury and Lord Randolph
| Churchill had been plain. The Ministry
Of C~aTetakers" was In a minority. 1t was
in a sense, an Opposition rather than q
Government. 1t had never really exercised
power. The subsequent disruption OF the
Liberal party and the decision Of thee cleo
tors had vitality altered the political sltue-
ton. The Conservative party with tneir
Unionist allies were now supreme. o
had acquired great authority. What Wouio
they do with IL?
Many Of the letters which passed TIVE
Lord Randolph and the Prime Minister
during their varied and eventful assoola-
ton are printed in these volumes. Our
author directs attention to the fact NAV q
distinct and palpable change is to be notlceo
in the tone Of their communications AFTER
the election OF 1880. 1T Is still friendly
and open; Lord Randolph's letters still
preserve their unvarying air OF respeot
toward a higher officer OF State, and OF
Difference to an older and far moro expert
enced man. Yet it is less the correspond
ence of a lieutenant with his chief, and
more like that between separate authorl-
ties. The two men were In fact sustained
by two different and to some extent con-
ficting sets OF forces, and they stood for
different ideas" We are told that the
autumn councils had not been harmonious
whether upon foreign or domestic ahairs.
The definite collision took place just be-
fore the estimates for the navy and army
we're finally presented. Lord Randolph
Churchill insisted upon some materla
reductions, and made no secret OF the fact
that he would set his official existence
on the issue. The Secretary OF Wal ana
the First Lord of the Admiralty objected,
though the latter ultimately assented in a
reduction In the navy estimate OF moro than
e5OO, 600. you will shortly have to de-
eide" wrote Lord Randolph in a good
humored letter to the Prime Minister on
December is, whose services you will
~retain-those OF your War Minister or those
Of your Chancellor Of E~xchequer.'
The situation fast became acute. At q
dinner on December 10, 1885. when the
Prime Minister was Lord Randolph's guest,
shrewd observers noticed, It appears,
underneath much personal courtesy. an air
Of harsh political nj agonism. On the
afternoon OF December 20 the Chancellor
Of the Exchequer, having been summoned
to Windsor, happened to meet in the same
railway carriage Lord George Hamilton,
first Lord Of the Admiralty. Lord TAN
dolph, who was in excellent spirits, said
briskly that he intended to resign that
day. Hamilton, we are told, was much
shocked, and urged patience and delay.
Lord Randolph remained ~inscrutably gay.
That night the Queen showed him most
gracious favor, and kept him long in con-
versation. He spoke Of many matters OF
policy, but of his determination not one
word escaped him. 1t was late when he
retired, yet he proceeded forthwith to
write what was practically a letter OF resig-
nation to Lord Salisbury. Hamilton, who
came to press him once again to reconsider
his intention, was treated with good humor.
and had read out to him the letter In which
Lord Randolph informed the Prime Minis
ter that, being pledged up to the eyes to
large reductions Of expenditure, and hav-
ing failed to secure suoh reductions from
the heads Of the Army and Navy Depart
ments, he could not continue to be RESPONSE
BILE for the finances.