Alfred Laurence Felkin

“ FOWLER, Sir HENRY HARTLEY, first Viscount Wolverhampton (1830–1911) , statesman, born in Sunderland on 16 May 1830, was the second son of Joseph Fowler, a Wesleyan minister, who was secretary of the Wesleyan conference in 1848, by his third wife, Elizabeth McNeill, daughter of Alexander Laing of Glasgow, and step-daughter of John Hartley of Smethwick and Hunslet. ”

“ On the reconstruction of the ministry in 1894 by Lord Rosebery, Fowler received promotion, becoming secretary of state for India. The appointment excited some cavil, but no previous secretary of state was in greater sympathy with her interests and the imperial questions involved. The chief events of his short tenure of the Indian secretaryship were the Chitral campaign in April 1895 and the revolt of the Lancashire members, led by Sir Henry James, against the reimposition of duties on cotton goods imported into India. ”

“ His inclusion in the cabinet was welcomed by moderate men, who hoped that he would exercise a moderating influence on his younger and less cautious colleagues. But though, in Lord Rosebery's words, he probably gave the cabinet 'the soundest and most sagacious advice,' it is doubtful to what extent it was followed. ”

“ In addition to his municipal work Fowler took an active part in politics. A non-conformist liberal, he soon came to be recognised as a powerful representative of the party. At the great meeting which Gladstone addressed on the Eastern question at Birmingham on 31 May 1877 he was chosen to move one of the resolutions. His speech on that occasion deeply impressed Gladstone. It was not till 1880, however, that he entered parliament, when he was returned for Wolverhampton in the liberal interest as colleague of Charles Pelham Villiers [q. v.] ”

“ A strong party man, yet moderate and cautious in the expression of his views, a good Wesleyan, yet one who, after the custom of the early methodists, always remained in communion with the Church of England, he was respected and trusted by both sides of the house. On 25 July 1881 he seconded the liberal amendment to Sir Michael Hicks-Beach's vote of censure on the government's conduct after Majuba. In 1884 he became under-secretary for home affairs in Gladstone's second administration, and two years later financial secretary to the treasury. ”