The Washington herald., 1908-03-08
ASQUITH AS PREMIER
SOME PERSONAL NOTES OF SIR HENRY
CAMPBELL BANNERMANS SUCCESSOR

ings OF Herbert Asqulth, and OF those as
sociated with him in the case, deemed
this single circumstance sufficient cause
to unseat Mr.. Ceilings
Asquith was fortunate enough soon af-
terward TO win the regard and good will
OF Sir Charles Russell. at that time the
virtual leader of the bar. and who was to
die as a peer OF the realm. and as the
FIRST Roman Catholic chief justice OF Eng
land since the Reformation. under the
name of Lord Russell. of KiIIoween.
Indeed. Asquith became the favOrite
junior of Russell. and fully justified all
the latter's good opinion by the remark
able showing which he made as his as
sistant in the Parnel case.
Little Chance Given.
As a general rule, a junior IN a cause
celebre has but little chance of distin-
gushing himself But Asquith was for
tunate. In some way or another. mat
ters turned out so that II fell TO his lot TO
cross-examine John Macdonald. the gen
eral manager of the Times and so mas
terly was the example which he furnish
ed of forensic vivisectiOn that IL contrib
uted in no small degree 20 the issue of
that great trial.
Asquith had already previously COM
mended himself TO the good will of Glad
stone by preparing for his private infor-
nation a clear and convenient statement
of the law in the Charles BradIaugh con
troversy, and was. therefore. welcomed
by him when he secured election to Par
llQnpnf q G a Of H., I ,a,.tx.
after the latter's memorial defeat on the
home-rule bill some twenty years ago.
1t was in the House OF Commons, even
more than at the bar. that he showed his
CleveTness. He spoke seldom, but when
he spoke il was always 10 the point. with
a masterful command OF his subject: and
the late Lord Salisbury. who had never
been known to praise publicity one OF his
own party. singled out Asquith in his
speeches for commendation and compli-
mentary criticism.
Marked as Able Man.
SO well did he do that when the Union
ist government was defeated in 1892. he
was put up by Gladstone to move its re-
lection from Office His main point Of at
tack was Joseph Chamberlain. 1t was
wonderfully able attack and a crushing
Indictment not word too much, and
withal characterized by a certain indefin-
tie modesty. Il was the speech OF his
life and fulfilled all the expectations of
the Grand Old Man, who on forming his
cabinet rewarded him by confiding to him
the portfolio OF secretary OF state for the
home department.
Though new to Office. he proved a very
great success there and displ2ved Tot
only much skill. but also an altogether
unsuspected amount of tact In dealing
with the labor troubles. the Trafalgar
Square meetings. and the cab strikes
which had been keeping London in a
ferment for a number of years.
Aids Working Classes.
Moreover. he inaugurated some very re-
markable and effective factory legisla-
ton. tending to the improvement Of the
working classes, at the same zine reor-
ganizing the entire system of factory in
spection- Indeed, his administration OF
the home Office remains on record as the
most successful in every respect of any
during the last thirty or forty years.
II was while home secretary. that. hav-
ing meanwhile lost his first wife. he sue
ceeded in winning the hand of Sir Charles
Tenants brilliant daughter. and their
wedding was one OF the events OF the
season. King Edward, then Prince of
Wales, his consort, and the entire world
of fashion and of politics. putting in an
appearance at the ceremony To his
family by his first wife there are now
added several children by his present
marriage.
Herbert Asquith remained at the head
of the home department after the retire
ment OF Mr.. Gladstone. serving on under
Lord ROsebery. and when the Liberals
went out OF Office, he, in defiance Of all
tradition and precedent. resumed his prac-
tice at law, with considerable financial
advantage TO himself. though without
permitting IT 20 interfere with his work
IN Parliament.
Appointed by Liberals.
On the formation OF the present Lib
eral administration by Sir Henry Camp
bell-Bannerman, Asquith was appointed
chancellor of the exchequer. and is now
about to succeed Sir Henry as prime min
ister. Asquith is Sir Henry's natural sue
cessOr. and. while there are plenty Of
men among the members Of his party who
have no fondness for him personally. yet
one and all are compelled to admit of his