New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-04
1itiative and persistent energy.

y
Having first served himself and then
his adopted city so we'll. Mr.. Chamber
lain was presently afforded the oppor-
tunity Of serving the country at large
in the broader field afforded by tho
House of Commons. Still considered
by many as a leader of the mob. there
were those who undoubtedly expected
TO see him take his seat in his shirt
sleeves, with pipe in his mouth, ram
pant and vociferous on every possible
occasion. Instead. they saw gentle
man of fastidious attire and quiet de-
meanor. He made his first speech only
a few weeks after his election, receiv-
ing the congratulations Of such men as
W. f. Foster and that old-fashioned
Tory. Sir Walter Barttelot. who as
sured him that If he always addressed
the House with "the same quietness
and the same intelligence" the House
would always be ready to listen to
him. "Thc Times" gave a leading edi-
toriai TO the man and 10 the speech.
Mr.. Chamberlain went 10 Westmin-
ster as a Radical. But whereas when
confined 10 parochial or municipal
limits his Radicalism seemed so IN
tense as 70 suggest socialism. when ap-
piled 10 the full scope of the nation
il approximated so closely to Liberal.
ism as to make him a fitting follower OF
Mr.. Gladstone. He sat on the Liberal
side, below the gangway, not far from
Mr. Parnell and Mr.. Biggar, and was
something Of a free lance for time,
but he carly made himself force in
debate, and was regarded on all sides
as rising man. When ne was alder
man and Mayor Of Birmingham he had
devoted himself 10 the interests OF the
city, with little thought Of the rest OF
the kingdom. So in the House OF Com
mons he began to work for the welfare
Of the United Kingdom, with little
thought Of the remainder OF the en-
nire Outside of Parliament he grew
into notice az the leader Of the Biz,
mingham caucus. which he developed
into huge political machine. to the
dismay Of the Tories and to the great
advantage Of the Liberals and Radicals.
50 rapid was his progress. indeed. that
il seemed entirely appropriate for Mr.
Gladstone TO make him a member OF
tho Cabinet in 1880, only four years
after his entry into Parliamentary life.
Mr.. Chamberlain entered the Cabinet
as president of the Board of Trade:
His Birmingham training, commercial
as we'll a. political, stood him in good
stead in dealing with the routine duties
Of the Office, and the reforms that he
made were sweeping and effective. A.
the same time he took a lively interest
in all ,he other departments OF the
government. introducing many bill',
pulling party wires and delivering some
startlingly bold speeches. Sir Charlie;
Dixie was his closest colleague ana
John Morley his champion N the press
The Friend OF Ireland.
In respect 20 Ireland. he soon became
oIitgpoxcn in favor Of Cancellation. lie
moro than any one clse was response
bic for the famous "treaty Of Xii main
ham" in which Mr.. Parnell, tired Of a
residence in Jail. made terms with the
Government for his release on parole.
Sir. Chamberlain. in "A letter written az
that time, said that England fought 10
welcome suggestion and criticism from
overy quarter and from all sections and
ciasses Of Irishmen, provided they are
animated BY "A desire for good govern.
men, and not BIZ blind hatred Of all
government whatever" He added, how
over. that il Irishmcn expected Eng
lishrnen and Scotchmcn 20 treat them
with greater consideration they mus'
correspondingly show greater consld,
Grafton for public opinion IN England
and Scotland. His policy was. AS he
said in 1894, 10 secure "to Irishmen
every right and privilege which lcgisl a
ton hae secured or may secure TOT
Euglishmen and Scotsmen." TINS pol
lev he practically imposed upon the
whole government. forcing Mr. FORSTER
10 resign the Chief Sccrctaryship TOT
Ireland The accusation, freely mace
at the time. that ne had "bctrayed' me
Chief Secretary was obviously ground
less. since Mr.. Forster was 81 all tunes
fully aware Of what was going on. bui
Mr.. Chamberlain probably desired anG
cxnectcd 10 become Chief Secretary IN
Nr. Forstcr's place, and was doubtless
disappointcd when Lord Frederick
Cayc1dish was named for the place
Then came the tragedy Of PhUniH
Tark. ard with IL The utter reputation
Of Mr.. Chamberlain policy by the gov
eminent. This was the first serious
setback in hi career.
The Home Rule Issue.
The next step in MIR chamberlain g
uoliticnl evolution came in 1896, IN inc
scbign Of the Liberal party over lrish
separation, or "Homc Rule" Down TO
that tlrnc he had been working III hsr-
roouy with Mr. Gladstone. But his
faith IN Gladstone vas presently DIS
turbed BY limitations that the Home