Hon. J. H.Gordon ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 255 Di.strict, which he still represents. His political career, prosperous as it has been, thus extends back only a dozen years. He early took an active part in political life, and in June, 1889, when Dr. Cockburn formed his first Cabinet, he consented to lead the Upper House as Minister of Education in the Government. He occupied this office until August 19, 1890, when Dr, Cockburn's Ministry gave way to that of Messrs. Playford and Kingston. On June 21, 1892, Mr. Holder, who held office in Dr. Cockburn's Government, succeeded the Playford combination, and Mr. Gordon again took charge of the Department of Education. The Holder Government was ousted by Sir John Downer in the following October, and then, on June 16, 1893, Mr. Kingston, Mr. Holder, Dr. Cockburn, Mr. Playford, and Mr. Gordon, forming a powerful combination, resumed the reins of Government, Mr. Gordon becoming Chief Secretary. Mr. Gordon held this important position until 1896, when he retired, first being awarded the right of prefixing the title "Honorable" to his name. In 1899, when Mr. Kingston resigned office, Mr. Gordon joined Mr. Holder's Ministry as Attorney-General, which position he still retains. For one in Parliament for such a short time, the above is a brilliant record of administrative work ; and undoubtedly, had Mr. Gordon been in the Assembly, it would have been still brighter. In all his official duties he was associated with Messrs. Holder and Cockburn. As Minister of Education and Chief Secretary, the Hon. J. H. Gordon has been responsible for several useful innovations in the departments under his Ministerial charge. The tactful manner in which he led the Upper House, in which Chamber may be said to have lain the chief danger to the Governments of which he has been member, greatly contributed to the strength of his party, and even to the duration of its term of office. In this regard Mr. Gordon merits more commendation than he received. In 1890 he presided over the Postal Conference held in Adelaide which brought about a reduction in the cable rates, and an alteration in the agreement with the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company and the countries interested in the route. This amendment was to the advantage of South Australia, and Mr. Gordon was energetic in having it carried. He was also prominently associated with other measures of public utility. Apart from provincial politics, the Hon. Mr. Gordon has been active in promoting the aspirations of the Australian people in helping to bring about P^ederation. In 1891 the Eegislative Council unanimously elected him delegate to the Federal Convention held in Sydney in that year, and he was by no means a silent member when the important debates began. He was elected by the people of the Province to represent South Australia in the more recent Convention, which held meetings in Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne in 1897-8. To the difficult task of settling the conflicting interests of the various colonies interested he brought a deliberative judgment, and the eloquence of his appeals assisted the delegates in arriving at a workable basis. After the Convention rose he was also energetic in speaking throughout the Province in the interests of the Commonwealth Bill, for which work Mr. Gordon is worthy of the good words of all those who wish to have a Federated Australia. As a speaker, the Hon. Mr. Gordon is among the most eloquent in Australia. His delivery is easy, his words are well chosen, and his manner is pleasing. He is a force that must always be reckoned with in South Australian politics.
