CHAIRMANSHIP OF L.C.C. 301 



encouraging ; it would have been difficult in any 

 case to follow Lord Rosebery ; the Chairmanship 

 of the London County Council was no easy post ; 

 the action taken by his opponents rendered it 

 even more difficult, and gloomy prophecies were 

 not wanting. But when November came it was 

 found that all opposition had melted away and 

 his re-election was unanimous. As he himself 

 remarked, "It is sometimes more gratifying to 

 be re-elected than to be elected." 



The speech in which he returned thanks for 

 his election in July throws a clear light on the 

 difficulties of his position : 



Gentlemen — I have summoned this meeting in 

 response to a requisition signed in accordance with our 

 fifth rule, in order to clear off our Agenda paper before 

 we adjourn for the holidays. Under the circumstances, 

 and as we have so much work before us, I will not detain 

 you more than one or two minutes, but before com- 

 mencing the business of the day, I am sure you will 

 allow me in a few words to assure you how profoundly I 

 feel the honour you have conferred on me, and the high 

 post to which you have elected me. It has been said, 

 I know, that I am not sufficiently progressive, and that 

 I shall not be able to maintain order. As regards the 

 first point, I might under other circumstances have said 

 something, but I believe that to maintain the harmony 

 and efficiency of our proceedings it is a primary duty of 

 the Chairman to forget party, though I know that on 

 the point we are not at all agreed. 



As regards the second point, I will only say that the 

 Council has maintained, and I believe will maintain, its 

 own order. Doubts, indeed many doubts, as to my 

 fitness and qualifications I have myself felt, and, having 

 regard also to my Parliamentary and other duties, I 

 should have hesitated still more, but that the election 

 only lasts until November. In Lord Rosebery I have an 

 admirable example, but one difficult indeed to follow. 

 To follow Lord Rosebery is in some respects a great 

 advantage ; but not in all. No advantage in this world 



