The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-02-14 00:00:00

3tottrinige (9bsevotr,

kT URDAY, FEBRUARY 14th, 1880.

--'c'ORK BEFORE PARLIAMENT.

THE sittings of the Legislature having been
opened by her Majesty with all due form and
ceremony, the members of the House of
Commons have already several measures of
importance before them. It is not to be
expected that the early portion of the pre-
sent session of an expiring Parliament will
differ materially from its predecesscrs in one
particular, which seems to distinguish all
Parliaments, of whatever political complexion.
T'qat is in the consumption of time in debate
as compared with the amount of work done.
Up to Easter, and sometimes even up to
Whitsuntide, honourable members go on
very leisurely; as though they had any
amount of time before them, instead of the
very limited period which comes to an end
in the middle of August. The first half of
the session is generally devoted to talk, and
the last to work, the work being often of a
very speedy kind that would have been done
all the better in some of the time consumed

by discussion. However, this is a Parlia-
mentary infirmity of long standing. Let it
be charitably supposed that the Great Coun-
cil of the Nation knows its own business best,
and is acquainted with the way in which
taat business should beet be done.
Foremost in the list of measures for dis-
cussion this session is a very old acquaint-
ance. Whether Lord Beaconsfield or Mr.
Gladstone be in office, it is sure to make its
appearance Indeed, the reminiscences ex-
tend back to the time of Lord Palmerston.
The old friend that has again made its ap-
pearance is a Bankruptcy Bill. Oft-times
has been quoted the Bankruptcy Act of 1861,
when Lord Palmerston was in office, and an
Act of the same title in 15459, during the
Premiership of Mr. Gladstone. There -was
a Bankruptcy Bill last session, and another
now. In a multitude of counsellors the body
politic ought to find some wisdom. The
trath appears to be that this question re-
mains, and probably always will remain a
yr,n )f despond. Creditors in a large way
of busin,;•ss who have made a bad debt prefer
to write it off as lost rather than actively
interest themselves in its recovery; and so
long as this is the case it is not likely that
bankruptcy proceedings will become expedi-
tious and satisfactory.. The measure intro-
duced last year by the Lord Chancellor, went
however, a long way in this direction. It
limited the power of a trustee in bankruptcy
to keep balances in his own hand. It com-
pelled him to file accounte at stated intervals,
and made it compulsory on him to wind up
the estate within a given time. Should
these provisions prove workable, some good
may be effected. At the same time no
legislation can cure apathy, and it is the
apathy of creditors that is really the cause of
bankruptcy mismanagement.
Intimately associated with legal reforms
is the block in the Law Courts. Fall term
began on the 12th of January, and the
sittings will end on the 24th instant. But
bath the divisional courts and the trial of
misi prius cases have been at a standstill.
'rhe vast mercantile interests of the country,
nut of which litigation suits must constantly
;vise, are thus put to ranch inconvenience in
eensecinence of the delay in the obtainal of
jaattce. The judges are on circuit, attend-
lag the winter assizes; and, in many in-
stances, the calendar or cause lists are alinosk
a blank. Their lordships have in some cases
complained of having been taken away from
Landon, where an immense amount of
business was waiting to be transacted, into
the country, where there was nothing for
them to do, at a cost to the nation which is
estimated at a gninea a minute. The
House of Commons would do well seriously
to consider the necessity of an addition to
our existing judicial strength. When
litigants enter their causes for Hal, they
want them disposed. o!; time with men of
basiness is money. It is in "
Pa,liament to relieve a substantial grievance,
a:11 it is hoped that this will be taken into
311. i id3ration.
Anther bill of great importance bsfore
Pad...an-Lent is that for the amendment of the
Laaaey Laws, and no more weighty subject
could occupy the attention of the Legislature.
Then there is the Criminal Code, upon which
the Attorney-General has been at work all
the recess, and which indeed was before the
limse of Commons last session. A bill for
dcalin,, with Noxious Vapours is also one
which' vitally affects the health of the com-
munity. Altogether the bill of fare already
before the assembled wisdom of the people
is compeehensive and practical. If it is
worked out, the last Session of this Parlia-
ment will have accomplished a great and
valaable labour, which will entitle it to the
gratiti_de of the people whose trust it has
heti so I,mg —a trust which within a few
months must be surrendered it is hoped with
the cheerful satisfaction that the duties con-
nected with it have been well performed,
and its legislative days well spent.

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