On Monday the meeting of Liberal Members of the House
of Commons to elect a successor to Sir William Harcourt ended, as had been expected, or rather arranged, in the unanimous choice of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman as leader in the Commons. Mr. John Ellis, at the beginning of the meeting, moved a resolution speeding the parting leader with complimentary words, but this did not satisfy Mr. Atherley Jones and the Harcourtite Liberals, and they accordingly proposed to add to the formal phrases of regret by the Liberal party, the words " expresses its continued con- fidence in him." This was carried unanimously, but it is to be noted that Mr. Atherley Jones's speech was of a distinctly minatory character. He talked of Sir William Harcourt having to retire " in obedience to pressure from some quarter." (We wonder whether any good was really done by never mentioning Lord Rosebery's name, though, of course, every one knew that the fact behind all the verbiage and circumlocu- tion was his refusal ever to act again with Sit William Harcourt.) After Mr. Atherley Jones's resolution had been passed, Sir Joseph Pease proposed, Mr. Channing seconded, and Dr. Farquharson, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Labouchere supported, the proposal to make Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman leader.
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