The National Register.
London, England, 1809-07-02 00:00:00

SUNDAY,. JULY 2, 1909.

POLITICAL
.DISQUISITION.

NYMBER SEVENTY-FIVE.

CONDUCT OF PARLIAMENT.

The Prorogation of Parliament, which is in fact a temporary
dissolution, seems to call upon us for some review of their pro-
ceeding., and some examination of the state in which they
left the kingdom when they retired to their summer quarters,
after the bustle of a laborious campaign. Indeed it is only at
this period that wecoull take a fair view of their conduct, when
we have at once the beginning, progress, and conclusion of their
d:liberations. An enquiry, or rather a review, of this nature every
Englishman is entitled to t:iise; and we know lif no one privilege
belonging to us, in the free and unlimited exercise of which we
are more interested, or from which more extensive practical
good may result than that which enables us to determine the
pretensions of public men to public approbation. The Parlia-
ment met on the 20th January, and commenced their legislative
functions, under circumstances of no common difficulty and dan-
ger ; and we cannot help expressing a surprise which we felt at
that period, in common, we believe, with every real patriot in
this kingdom, at the opposition made to the Treaty entered into
with the Patriots of Spain; hut this was confined to Lord GREK-
y ILLE, and a few other Members in each House of Parliament.
We lament that delusion, which renders political opponents ,
blind to the merit of the Most eminent, and even necessary con-
duct of their adversaries. The commencement of the Session
*as distinguished by many important object, which engaged the
early attention of the House of Commons. Among these the
operations of the Army in Portugal, the Convotion of Cintra,
the Batik, of Corona, the Overtures from Erfuren, and the
Votes of Thanks to the Conquerors of Vimiera. But the at-
tention of the House of Commons was completely absorbed and
ingrossed by an occurrence of a domestic nature. Prom the'
moment Mr. NY A RD Les charges against the conduct of the Com-
mander in Chief, were introduced, nothing else seemed worthy
of attention—from the Ministers of State down to the meanest
silage politician, no other subject appears to.havebeen thought
of. From the ample discussion which took place we cannot ac-
cuse the House of Commons of evading the business--a more
Solemn, Important, or more cautious-investigalion never engaged
their time; and although the ulterior decision certainly did not
coincide with the conclusions drawn from the same evidence
by the great body of the nation, yet we dare not, upon
that account merely take upon us to say it was not war-
ranted by the facts which Isere really proved. Popular feeling
is not always correct; the passions and prejudices of individuals
sometimes usurp the seat of judgment, and that predeliciion
Which is characteristic of the English nation, and of human na-
ture, to level the higher ranks with the lower, and to find out
-something that shall place the higher classes more upon a par
with the lower, may serve to account in some Measure for this
d)Ference of opinion,
_These proceedings, however, against the Drac or YORK,
were productive of effects .more impurtnnt than the derision it
• sof.. The public mind was roused from the apathy and
ference .with which it bad for many .years regarded the several
parties which have been mutnally contending for power. But in
all the rfsolutions of censure upon the line of conduct pursued
by Ministers, op this occasion, it seems wonderful that there wa-
Sot the
_slightest wish evpretsed of plAcing the old Opposition
rqz. Lx..ux,

again in power, or even of removing the present %Isinistis from
their situations. Until the period of a hieh we are no wspeok-
ing, there appears to have been only Iwo recognized virile% in
the country. the Pittites and Foxites. The coarse eyettisshas
since given birth to a third party, H hieli has obtained a consi-
derable portion of strength from the support Of puhlic opinion.
Among this party are certainly to he found some men elf pro-
' party and abilities, but they do nut concentrate any great pro-
portion of either. The first business of-imp:m:loer which came on
in the House of Commons, after the :nsesiir tion of the charges.
was the consideration of a motion made by Lord FoLKsTONR
"That a Committee be appointed to Enquire into the Existence of
Corrupt Disrosal of Offices in the State, &c." This motion Kas
opposed on the ground of being too general, and calculated only
t.) keep alive the public ferment. It was very ably supported
by opposition, and was ultimately lost by a majority of 173 to
SO. This great majority against instituting a co:nmittee to in-
quire into abases excited cotaiderable surprise; and was the first
indication of a sort of coalition between the two parties which
had so long been rivals. Another subject which excited thuds
interest was a motion brought forward by Sir F. BURDETT,
respecting some Crown Land adjoining to the Infirmary at
Chelsea, granted to Colonel GoßpoN. This grant was defended
on the part of Ministers, as having been done under the Oaicial
Reports of the Surveyors, and of the Medical Superintendent
of the, Infirmary. This interference of Sir BURDETT oc•
casioned several dicussions, which‘ we believe, will ultimately
terminate in Colonel Go RDON relinquishing his lease. Two
other very important discussions also took place, one in the
House of Lords, the other in tbeCommons, respecting theeonductai
'of Ministers as to the war is Spain. The division in the Howe
of Lords was more numerous against I‘lini.ters Chun has usually
been the case, where they are supposed to be fined in their din.
tions; and it was generally
.rionoured for some days afterwards
that application had been made to Lord GREY for the purpose
of admitting part of the opposition into power—but that he had
refused unless the whole. were introduced. If this report be
true, it. tioUla become a very serious question, how far such
pledges given to one another by leaders of parties he conatitU•
tional. The constitution distinctly sass, "The King shall
choose his Ministers," bat if 41. the public Men of 'Talents bind
themtelves not to come in, without the whole of the party; it ill
evident the King would in effect cease to have any choice of in.
dividuals, and must necessarily choose. either one party or the
other. A conduct of this sore, tarnishes the strongest
ment we have yet heard in favor of an alteration af the present
system of Representation.
.The qaestion respecting the con-
duct of Ministers in the affairs in Spain, was negatived in the
!Louse of Commons bye. majority of 230 to 111. This was a
pretty fair trial of the strength of both parties in tne lower house.
'Two other important questions *nave likewise been agatated:
'Flie ore as to the conduct of Lord CA STLERE Gti, on the ev;•
deuce wl,.ich came out before the Committee on East India
abuses. It was ;Omitted by his Lordship that when President
of the Board of Controul, he negociated 11 ith a man of the name
of Rno tsiG, for the purpose of obtaining a seat in Parliament
for Lord CIA Nc.e.nrY, and that a Writership in the gift oft 'S
Lordship was placed at the disposal of his friend—the Writer.
ship was in point of fact not ;,given, the seat REDING talked
about, not tieing; to be disposed of. It was coptended that the
corrupt intention was manifest.and that although the transaction
was not completed, yet that Parliament should express a strong
disapprobation or such an abuse of patronage, applied is corral"