New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-11
TORY SQUIRE'STR
Return of a Veteran PrOtectiOnist to
Parliament.


One of the famous Tory squres is to return
| to Parliament a stalwart Protectonist. This
is Mr.. Chaplin, who headed for many years the
corporars guard of old fashioned Conservatives
opposed to Free Trade as policy ruinous TO
agricultural interests. Ridiculed eccen-
trio leader of lost cause. he persevered in his
hostility to the fiscal policy. to which both par
ties were apparently irrevocaby committed. and
after masquerading Fair Trader and Re-
taliationist he became the most strenuous and
vociferous of Mr.. Chamberains supporters
Imperalist in favor of preferential trade with
the colonies. In the last Unionist Parliament
the two leaders were constantly hobnobbing
the most confidential terms. Mr.. Chamberlain
consulted Mr.. Chaplin whenever a fiscal debate
was in progress. and frequently prompted
by him when he was az loss for a word or had
mislaid memorandum of statistics. The old
Tory squire. who had challenged Mr.. Gladstone
in debate and been lampooned the Don
Quixote of Protectionist folly, content to sit
behind Mr.. Chamberlain and to shout, Hear!
Hear" whenever tariff reform was advocated
as the only policyaby which the empire could be
held together and the supremacy of England as
manufacturing and mercantile nation main
tanned. The defeat of the jovlal. outspoken and
irrecOncilable Protectionist for SleafOrd at the
last general election was regretted on both sides
how influential was the leader who had never
swerved from his conviction that Cobdenism
was wrong in theory and ruinous in practice.
The Liberals perceived the advantage of de-
scribing Mr.. Balfour and Mr.. Chamberlain as
Mr.. Chaplins converts Each party will be
pleased when he returns to his old place as
member for Wimbledon
Mr. Chaplin appeals to Il body Of sup
porters with the same bluff heartiness and old
time earnestness which made him popular and
invinclble for long period in Lincolnshire He
does not describe himself an old Tory, al
though he is one He plumes himself upon be-
ing new Imperialist. and devotes the greater
part of his election addresses 10 the subject of
colonial preference which he considers mat
ter of vital importance to everybody in England
He is convinced that markets must be
found TO replace those lost under one-sded Free
Trade. and that these can he secured oy taxing
advantage of the offers of the colonial govern
nents 10 co-operate in bringing about fair trade
and genuine reciprocity within the empire He
IS an all around Unionist. equally opposed 10
Home Rule in Ireland on Gladstonian lines or
by instaIments and to reductions in the defen-
sive forces by which thousands of workmen are
thrown out of employment. He believes In I'M
nerial defence and federation, but rejects sys-
ten, of Free Trade finance by which a shilling
income tax becomes permanent charge in time
of peace He is as keen a supporter OF asri-
cultural interests as he has even beeI OUT "n'ie
he does not oppose practical measures TOT IN
creasing the number of small holdings and aliot-
nents he knows that the surplus population
cannot be drawn back from the towns into the
country unless profitable employment can De
found sfor II there by change in tarin policy.
1t is through colonial preferences that ne hopes>
70 omen the way for a general revision of the
/ 4Ha+v Wis rpRdlnH0,
the unemployed provided with work and Eng
| land enabled 10 remain a prosperous. industrial
| country and the centre of self-sustaining.
| united empre An Imperialist he is above all
things but while the gestures are larger ana the
phrases more comprehensive. he is essentially
! the same ingrained Protectionist he has ever
been.
The return of the old Tory squire unopposed-
for the Liberals have decided against contestihg
his election-is an indication Of the transforma-
,i,n wrought in England by Mr.. Chamberlain's
tariff policy He lays more stress upon empire
and colonies than in the old days when he was
booted and reviled a Bourbon who could
neither learn nor forget anything; but he COM
,,ands attention and respect when he eXpounds
his familiar principles OF Protection for home IN
dustrjes His defeat at the general election, in
stead Of involving the permanent retirement OF
% ,ifaIorr onpouent Of Free Trade, has been
followed by his speedy return 10 public life so
that he can repeat Sir Robert Peefs own Worus'
II feel like man restored To life AFTER MS
funeral sermon has been preached" Tariff re-
form 10 which the Unonist party is now COM
mitted as an alternative scheme for Free Trade
has become an opportunist method for uniting
the empire financing social legislation and hsht-
ching the burdens of income taxation SO many
necessary establishments can he effected by IL
that II is an attractive policy. drawing ne"
classes Of supporters into the tntonist party.
The veteran Protectionist is rewarded Tor his
,,ns,ver-iug consistency. He is welcomed back
- his place of honor in party councils
l. N F.