Warren and the Home Secretary

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
CABLE.

SIR CHARLES WARREN.
HIS DIFFICULTIES WITH THE HOME SECRETARY.

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 - A London despatch to the Tribune says: What is called Sir Charles Warren's resignation is practically his dismissal. When once the Home Secretary had been allowed to lecture the Chief of Police in the House of Commons for publishing an article in Murray's Magazine his stay in office became impossible. It has been for some time a question whether Sir Charles or Mr. Matthews should go. There has been friction ever since the Trafalgar square riots last winter. Then came disputes respecting the detective service and the resignation of Mr. Monroe, the head detective, followed by his transfer to the Home office. Mr. Matthews has behaved badly throughout, and, is, perhaps, the least competent and least popular Home Secretary since Mr. Spence Walpole. Finally, the difference between him and Sir Charles Warren became a Cabinet question, and the Cabinet as usual preferred to sacrifice somebody else rather than a colleague. It only shows once more what weak things a strong government can do. The desire for Mr. Matthews' retirement is genuine and well founded. The opposition to the chief of police sprang from no other cause than his doing his duty and doing it thoroughly well. Complaint of him because he was a soldier was empty complaint. The serious attacks on him date from the Trafalgar square incidents. He knew his own mind about that business; Mr. Matthews did not know his. Sir Charles was determined to keep order; Mr. Matthews was for order one day and disorder the next. Perhaps there was a moment when the chief of police forced the hand of the Home Secretary. At all events he completely defeated the agitation whose howl of baffled rage is now turned into a yell of delight over his fall. They have never ceased to pursue him. There are not many things in the history of the Radical press more disgraceful than its campaign against Sir Charles Warren. It was a campaign of calumny. Others joined in it; notably such statesmen as Mr. Coneybeare, Mr. Graham and Professor Stuart, and the lowest types of irresponsible fanatics. When the Whitechapel murders occurred Sir Charles was held responsible for the failure to discover the murderer. These papers stuck at nothing and they have triumphed. The Cabinet consequently have the pleasure of reflecting that Mr. Coneybeare has proved himself stronger than Lord Salisbury. All the Anarchists, Socialists and agitators of every grade and criminals of every class rejoice that their enemy is overthrown and that it is they who have overthrown him. He never would have been allowed to resign but for outside agitation. The mob have learned their lesson. They have only to rail against their oppressor long enough and out he must go. Sir Charles did his duty admirably and London owes him an immense debt. His successor, whoever he may be, knows that if he does equally well, he may expect the same fate. There is a fairly good prospect that the police of London will have to adjust itself to the wishes of the lowest class.

Source: Montreal Daily Witness, Wednesday November 14, 1888, Page 1