The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-03-24 00:00:00

NOTEB OF THE WEEK.

The scantiness of promise in the royal
message is in accordance with the apparently
prevailieg impression that the present is to has
quiet session. With the Conservatives in a
large majority, it is not likely that they will
inaugurate any disturbing policy, and with the
Liberals comparatively powerless they cannot
force the Government to motion. But still there
are ne signs of a dull stagnant session, and the
notices of motion on the opening might indicate
a good deal of legislative activity. Subsequent
debit's, especially that upon Home Rule in
Ireland, show that political apathy does not
exist, and that the spirit of party wafflet is not
dead. In fact, whatever may have been the in-
timation of the powers that be as to a quiet
session, the views of the powers that were are
evidently not indicative of tacit submission.
General political interest appears to characterise
the country. The Parliamentary debates
attract general attention, partly arising from
the novelty of the Conservatives speaking
from the Government side of the House. As
to the Opposition benches, we have beard a good
deal, and perhaps not without cause, about
Liberal disunion and disorganisation, but
adversity and "the cold shade of opposition "
are bracing the nerves of the Liberals. As a
sign of this we may mention that "the com-
mittee have determined to extend the operations
of the Liberal Registration Association, so that
It may serve as the centre for a general organi-
sation of the Liberal party throughout the
country." Details which follow this announce-
ment show that it is an important movement
"with the view of furthering the promotion of
Liberal principles," and of strengthening and
consolidating Liberal action.
Mr. Isaac Butt, Q.C., M.P., may consider
himself highly flattered that the House of
Commons listened to him at all on the Home
Rule crotchet, on Friday night, considering that
bon. members were anxious for the Government
proposal with regard to the Indian loan. The
rejection of Mr. /Win amendment to the
Address by such a decisive majority as 314 to 50
ought to act as a sedative upon him for all
time.

The respect with which the House of Commons
treats the personal privileges if its members
we. well exemplified by the quiet hearing which
Mr. Whalley obtained for his grievance against
the Court of Queen's Bench, on Friday evening.
Not for a long time has the hon. member for
Peterborough obtained such attention; and
when we consider that the Tickborne case was
still the foundation of his remarks, the fact is
the more noteworthy. 'Mr. Dieraell's proposal to
refer the matter to a Select Committee, and the
concurrences of old Parliamentarians like Mr.
Whitbread, Mr. Lowe, and Mr. Roebuck, should
convince Mr. Whalley that when he haa anything
to say of real interest to the House, he will be
treated as respectfully as any other member.
The names of the Royal Commissioners ap-
pointed to inquire into the laws affecting labour
ought to give oon6denne to the working classes,
and it is to be hoped that the publication of
Clair names in the aneik on Friday night will
convinos the Trades-Union Parliamentary Com-
mittee that it acted prematurely on the tame
day in scouting the idea of a COCOMiIIitOLI and
recommending trades-unions to refuse to have
anything to do with the Commission either in
the way of giving evidence, or of recognising It..
salon.

The prompt despatch which has marked the
conduct of the Ashiultee expedition is shown by
the fact that Sir Garnet %Volseley and • coast-
siderable portion of his army have arrived at
home almost as aeon as we have had complete
accounts of the British victory. With this
victory fresh in the public mind, there is no
fear of the heroes of emoaful not receiving due
honour. Sir Garnet and his offilere are to be
feasted at the Mansion House, and the private
soldiers will not miss their share of feting.
7111 satisfaction at the speedy and successful
conduct of the expedition Is the greater when
only • vote of £900,000 is asked for it from
Parliament—about a tithe of what the A bysainlan
affair cost us.