Omaha daily bee., 1908-04-06

Zimmerman, called meeting of the cabinet
this morning to submit the premer's resg-
nation and discuss the course of business.
Leaves FIne Record.
The resignation Of Ar Henry Campbell
Bannerman, the first liberal prime minister
of England since Lord Rosebery gave UP
office in 1896 has it's dramatic phase, for
as he passes from the stage, the mixed
force which he held together as a party
appear also to be approaching the end OF
political power. The Bannerman govern,
ment, Il should be stated, combined too
many factions and too many fads; all the
elements Of opposition to conservatism and
of discomfort united 90 make common cause
against the old government, and when
jointed together in an administration, a
working team Of home rulers, laborites'
socialists. liberal inperialists and little
I9nglanders was found nigh impossible But
70 speaks much for Bannermans leadership
that the dislntegration of his party has
gone on so much more swiftly since the
attack OF heart trouble last fall in Bristol,
where he had gone to make a political
speech which removed him from the pos
sibility Of active leadership.
Sir Henry was not only the leader OF the
House OF Comnons, but also It's father Tor
hc represented Stirling without interruption
ever sipes ny cHleret the house in 1853 al
the ase ~ y.
throughout his political life he has been
consistent and staunch advocate of rad
icaiism and his political faith has never
wavered lie did not derive his politics
from his family, however, for his father,
Sir James Campbell "A prosperous Glas-
gov merchant was one Of the most de-
voted adherents OF the tory party in Scot
land. while his brother sat for years In
the house OF commons on the conserva~
tive saide. When he first stood as lib
eral candidate for Stirling, young Campbell
was twitted with his fathers elegance TO
tho other side. but no retorted that loyalty
10 their political faith ran in the family
and that as his father was consistent in
his toryism he would be consistent in his
liberalism.
Holds Many Onices.
His carly years in Parliament were not
eyentful. but he became known rather for
his gentility and hospitality than for the
political sagaeity which he showed later
lie had a varied experience in government
holding the positions of financial secretary
to the War office twice, secretary to the
Admiralty twice. secretary of state for war
and, for a brief time in lsS4-5 chief secre-
tary for ireland. At that trying period the
Irish members were devoting their efforts
TO making the office almost untenable but
Mr. Bannerman (he assumed the name of
his maternal uncle, Bannerman, under a
will and acquired his title in 1880 met all
their atiacks with unfailing good will and
ready wit. Tim Healy complained that
Ireland was being governed by Scottish
jokes, and Healys colleagues complained
that they could make no impression on the
scottish sandhag."
He came more prominently before the
public eye when no took office as secre-
tary OF war in Gladstones last govern
ment. His great administrative feat was
to persuade the duke OF Cambridge TO re-
sign the position OF eommander-in-chiet
of the aramy The duke was extremely
reluctant TO retire. but he yielded to the
war minister's tRctful pressure and re-
signed Four hours after the formalties
had been completed and the necessary
documents signed the liberal government
was defeated on the cordite vote and re-
signed. The duke then wished 10 retract
his decision, bue it was too late,
A long period Of depression of the liberals
followed ana Sir Henry Campbell Banner
man had a trying time In Keeping clear
of the cross currents which ultimately
led To Harcourts resignation OF tho lead
ership Of the party, which was badly
disunited There was not moments
doubt as 60 who WAS TO succeed him. and
by a unanimous vote of the party Ban
nemon was chosen in February, 1899. e
ne its leader. He was the only possible
selection, for he was the only prominent
member Of the party who had broker
with neither section.
Opportunity Cor BaRnerman.
Troublous times were I'm store for TN
liberals with the beginning Of the Boei
war. which made the bitterness betwecI
the imperialist and radical groups mor'
acute than ever IL was impossible 1,
conceal the party differences for botl
sections openly attacked one another. bu'
tho .difflculties Of the nosition gave Ban