Omaha daily bee., 1908-04-23
EX-PR1MIER IS DEAD
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman Passes
Away in London.
ILLNESS DATES FROM FEBRUARY
Last Appearance Was in Connection
with Scottish Land Bills.
sEvENTY-oEE YEARS OF AGE
Member Of House of Commons for
Nearly Forty Years.
LEADER OF LIBERAL PARTY
LEADER OF LIBERAL PARTY
A Last EIecsfon Entered ParIisne-r
with Greatest Majority Ever
British Premier--f
meRts FOR Fun

most or the time during the last = =
three days and his sinking was graz
few hours hofore his death telegram
dispatched to King Edward who, .ith
Queen Alexandra. is visiting the Danish
royal family at Copenhagen; the prince Of
Wales and the CABINET ministers.
Immediately newspaper representatives
were keeping vigil before the house Of the
dyii statesman. but the only news handed
them was in the form Of bulletin more
than an hour after his death. A few min
utes thereafter crowd assembled in
Downing street. but all persons were
barred from the house.
Sir Henry's final illness dates from Feb
ruary i2, when he last appeared in the
House OF Commons ana moved the closure
OF the Scottish land bills. although ne
had been ailing since November Is, 1901.
when he participated at an entertainment
in honor Of Emperor william at the Guild
hall. On November IA. after addressing a
political meeting at Bristol, he was Sc
riously stricken with heart weakness and
later influenza was added to his heart
trouble, bringing on his fatal illness.
Knew End was Near.
The ex-premier fully appreciated his con-
dition and realized that his recovery was
improbable. He offered to give up office
some time before he formally resigned
early this month. Few invalids have been
the object OF so much soifcitude and atten-
tion as was bestowed upon Sir Henry.
there having been constant stream Of
callers at his Downing street residence,
including King Edward. who visited him
on two occasions; ouee. Alexandra, and
the dowager empress of Russia, the prince
and princess Of Wales and prominent men
in public life.
Sir Henry's last published utterance was
a warm letter OF thanks to his Scottish
friends. who presented him with a portrait
OF himself
II is known that the ex-premier was
opposed to public funeral and it is be-
iieved he win be buried without ostentation
beside the body Of his wife at Meisle. in
Perthshire, Scotland.
sketch OF His Career.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman was born
September 7. 1886. He was the youngest son
Of the late Sir James Campbell Of stra-
cathro, Farfoshire, some time lord provost
of Glasgow. He assumed the additional
name under the will OF his maternal uncle,
the late Henry Bannerman Of Hunton
court, Kent, who bequeathed to him a
large estate. He attend Glasgow univer-
sity and Trinity college. Cambridge. In
1860 he married Charlotte, daughter of
Major General Sir Charles Bruce. She died
in 1905 and from that time Sir HenFy's de-
cline In health may be dated.
For nearly forty years he sat for the
same seat--the Stirling Burghs-and his re-
cord OF office soes back to 1s7i, when he
was financial secretary OF the war office,
which post lie heid second time from
1850 TO iSs2 During the next two years he
was secretary to the admiralty and in 1884
he suecee,h Sir George Trevelyan as Irish
secre ~ tiling that office ably and un-
obtru At.y until the fan Of the Gladstone
mio'sefy IN 1855. in spite OF the fact that
Il. nmen described him as the Scotch
Ea4d3.S."
In the short government session Of lSSi
he was secretary for war, and to that post
he returned under the last liberal govern
ment lie was chosen leader of the liberal
opnosition In succession 10 Sir William
IIar court IN February. 1899. The Boer wal
proved = stumbling block 10 the sdministra.
ton, but notwithstanding the difference.
between liberal imperiaiists and other
liberals over this question. unanimous
vote OF confidence in his leadership was
carried at meeting Of the liberal party
held at the Reform club in July. 1901.
Formation of Liberal League.
In 1909 a passage OF words took place be
tween him ana Lord Rosebery over tbs
doctrine Of the clean slate In regard 4
the Irish question and other public cues
tions, and the liberal league was formed
Sir Henry again received the solid suppor
OF the liberal party IN the house in 1908
1894 ana 1905. in opposing the education Rns
licensing acts. Mr.. Chamberialn's fisca
policy. and the sovernment's action will
regard 70 licensing and 10 Chinese labor il
south Africa On the resignation OF tn
Balfour administration In December, 1895
Sir Henry was summoned by the king ant
formed a liberal cabinet himself becoming
first lord Of the treasury and prime min
lister.
The general election followed and si
Henry Campbell Bannerman entered IN,
new parliament with the greatest maJorit,
even given TO a British premier.
From the very beginning Of the pKs,ssn
session OF parliament Sir Henry had beel
suffering ~ health and after the openlni
day ne practically had not been able L
attend tie sessions at all, Chancellor AS
quith acting as premier in his absence
He was seriously stricken after a big poll
teal meeting held at Bristol on Novembe
Is and he was Obliged 10 give up his plan
for the series Of political speeches that h
Intended to make.
Arrangements for FuneraI.
The funeral arrangements were complete,
thls evening There viii he a funeral ser
vice N Westminster Abbey at noon ol
April =. ATTENDED BY representative Q
King Edward and queen Alexandra dip
lomatists and members Of parliament etc
ana the final interment VIII occur a
MclgIe. Pethshire. beside the body OF 81
Henrys wife on the following day.
Messages of sympathy were received Al
day from every part Of the world and
continuous stream Of people called a. tn
late residence of the former premiel
Amona the callers was whitelaw Reid. tn
Amsrlcan amhassacor 10 the court OF 81
James