New-York tribune., 1908-04-23

nentary experience of forty years He had only
sat in the House of Commons three years how
ever, when he received his official urefernent
as financial secretary at the War Office, and there
after he was without office when the Lib
erals were In power He always belonged to the
radical wing of his party, in strong political con-
trast with his brother James. who for twenty-six
years, from 1850 TO 1906. a stanch Conservative
represented Glasgow and Aberdeen universities in
the House of Commons.
Mr. Campbell-Bannerman's second appofnt-
ment as financial secretary at the War Office
came to him in 1880 under the second Glad
stone administration, and in 1882 he was nomi-
mated Secretary the Admiralty. In 1884 he
succeeded q .. Trevelyan Chief Secretary
for ireland, filling that post until the fall Of the
Gladstonian ministry, in 1855. In February,
1886, he was made Secretary Of State for War,
his first Cabinet office. but retired at the close
Of Gladstones : brief third administration in July
OF the same year. He reappointed TO the
same post. however, by Mr. Gladstone in 1892,
holding office until the Rosebery administration
in 1898
At that time he was made a knight Of the
Grand Cross of the Bath. and the Unionists sug-
gested him q candidate for the Speakership
to which William Court Gully. later Viscount
Selby. elected.
THE LIBERAL LEADER.
For the next ten years his party was in the
opposition but for the last six years Of the ten
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman was the leader
Of his party 1t was natural, therefore, that
on the return Of the Liberals TO power, in 1895
lie should have been asked to- form Cabinet
His success in so doing was q surprise to his
opponents. and greatly gratifed those who
confident Of his ability control the helm Of
state Among the .he gathered around him
We're Sir Edward Grey Foreign Secretary,
Herbert Henry Asqutth Chancellor OF the
EXchequer Herbert John Gladstone as Home
Secretary. r. 3. Haldane as War Secretary. John
Morley Secretary Of State for India. James
Bryce as Secretary for Ireland. Augustine Bir-
rell President Of the Board of Education,
David Lloyd-Cieorge as President Of the Board
Of Trade and John Burns President Of the
Local Government Board. When Mr. Bryce came
to this country ambassador his successor a
Secretary for Ireland AIT. BiTrell The haT
monious working Of the affairs Of state under
Premier Campbell -Bannerrnan undisturbed
save in some minor matters. There were reports
at frequent intervals that he would lay down the
burdens Of Office. give up his the House OF
Commons and retire to the House of Lords on the
bestowsl OF him Of z peerage.
But by carefully guarding his health he managed
10 discharge his duties until the early part Of last
winter Then his health broke down completely
and the serious symptoms gave little prospect OF
recovery Weakness Of the heart and dropsy de-
veloped, and al times he became unconscious, so
that his recovery repeatedly despaired Of. But
he rallied again and again. Yet with such manifest
weakness that early i April he forwarded his res
ignaJion Of the Premiership 10 the King. who was
BiarTitz, and Herbert Henry Asquith was sum-
moned 10 form q cabinet
The chief characteristics Of Sir Henry Campbell
Baunernan q political leader were extreme tact
and singleuess OF purpose. He was not regarded as
remarkable for strength Of Will or commanding in
teIlectuaI power. But he managed to keep the di
. verse Liberal forces II agreement and harmony
When he succeeded the late Sir William Vernon
Harcourt leader Of the Liberals he found much
10 contend with especially the open antagonism of
na~1z ain H7r-S IT
especially in the matter OF the Boer war As Prime
Minister he displayed the utmost tact, boundless
good and the faculty Of playing one faction
against another so as TO secure agreement on the
main policies he sought to impress on the country
Among those who knew him well he was almost
universally spoken of as "C.-B."
SPOKE TO THE POINT.
Il has been said Of Sir Henry Campbell Banner
man that there was probably 10 man who talked
less nonsense In other words. when he spoke it
was directly 10 The point. With q calm. judicial
mind ne free from all prejudice and passion,
and his words carried due weight. So far as is
known. no one ever saw him out Of temper and
IL dealing with men he displayed remarkable de
gree OF tact and in dealing with measures large
capacity. In reference to MS selection for high
fee he once said. i was a sort Of rara avis in
these times. politician without ambition never
had any desire for the positions I called upon
10 occupy. I put there by the force OF cir
cumscauces. and said, Please God, I viii do
best Although q remarkably well read and
an excellent classical scholar, he never shOne in
the House Of Commons : q debater He wrote
out his speeches. even 10 the Jokes. and read
HIS hunor vas frequently described by the Scotch
word ''paWky." but in private he had reputa-
rIon as a story teller OF genius and 4 ever
ready with d witty retort.
While the English Premier was not regarded as
in any way q genius, unless might be possessing
the genius for hard work. he devoted himself with
zeal and diligence TO the duties devoiviug upon
lin and realized his responsibilities. never shIrk-
ing the toll needfuI for their conscientious dis
charge HIS success IN the post OF Secretary for
ireland was followed by like success as SecTe-
tary Of State for War OF his competency for the
latter post Lord WoIsee- declared that he
tie hest equipped Secretary Of War he had ever
known His leadership OF the Liberal party in the
House OF Commons was secured by unfagging de-
yotion 10 the duties he called perform.
and when ne became Premier, succeeding M. Bal
four, he had q large majority TO sustain his poll
cies. His utterances always commanded the closest
attention
SIr Henry Campbell -Bannernau married il
1850 to Charlotte, daughter OF the late Majer Gen
eral Sir Charles Bruce, X. G. b, but she died in
1eot He was q magistrate for the counties Of
I.anark and Kent. & privy councillor. and had re-
ceIved the degree Of doctor OF laws from Glasgow
University His clubs were the Athcna1Um, Brooks's
Reform. oxford and Cambridge. His London home
was No. y Beigrave Square, s ". and his
country seat Belmont Castle. Megle Scotland
AMBASSADOR BRYCE'S SORROW.
CHATTANOOGA Tenn, April 22-Ambassador Bryce,
formed while er luncheon TODAY Of the