The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-14 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1868.

Mr. GLADSTONE was not able, after all, to bring
on his much-desired bill, but he proposes to do so
to-day. The time at which he endeavoured to
bring in the Suspensary Bill was late, and Mr.
NEWDEGATE objecting it was put off, opposed busi-
ness not being allowed after a certain time on
Wednesdays. This is but a trivial thing, for one
day's delay cannot possibly matter, but what we
have to do with is the course which the right hon.
gentleman is persistently pursuing, against all pre-
cedent and all the established usages of Parlia-
ment. Who ever thought, until he set the example,
which, it is to be hoped, will be shunned rather
than followed by succeeding statesmen, of intro-
ducing a comprehensive measure of this kind in the
last session of a Parliament? A moribund House is
not at all thebest calculated to discuss such questions,
and on every account the matter is to be deplored.
It is true, that some have ingeniously, though not
very ingenuously, turned the tables, and are virtu-
ously indignant at Mr. DISRAELI for remaining in
office, which he ought to have given up to his
rival, and fallen with a good grace into the trap so
cunningly prepared for him. But let us look at
the case as it stands, and we shall soon see who is
the defaulter, and which side of the House has gone
against rules and defied custom. The great measure
of Reform which was passed last year gave general
satisfaction, and it was hoped and believed that
nothing would occur to mar its being completed
this year, and the dissolution could then have taken
place at the time first suggested ; and besides this
primary object being effected there would have re-
mained time enough to pass some bills greatly called
for. The Education question, the Bankruptcy Bills,
and other matters of general interest and import-
ance, demanded the atten'ion of the Legislature ;
but just when all promised well, 10, and behold, up
started a Marplot in the shape of the leader of the
Opposition. It had been previously said that this
year was not the one in which to legislate for Ire-
land, and that the new Parliament was the proper
place in which to settle the disputed affairs of that
country. This was very seasonable, and when Lord
MAvo introduced the Government scheme, and
what was called the Irish Debate came on, we'ven-
turedto affirm that no one believed any great com-
plication would arise thereon this Session. Towards

the close of that affair, however, Mr. GLADSTONE
delivered a speech, in which he made his famous
declaration respecting the Irish Church, his change
of opinion took many by surprise, and it was evi-
dent only at the last moment that he had made up
his mind, or else ho would have adopted the usual
course of bringing in his proposition as an amend-
ment to the Ministerial scheme.

Not so, however, was the line he took, and :after
the surprise was partly over, the stupendous under-
taking was commenced, and the House plunged
into a sea of confusion, which speedily threatened
to overwhelm all other business, and virtually con-
fiscate the time of the session. Mr. GLADSTONE
and his friends and followers have met with success
in some respects ; that is true enough, but they
have not convinced the country that the only thing
to be done is to have them in office at once at all
risks and hazards. An unfair advantage has been
taken of the peculiar position of the Administra-
tion,.and the attempt to make political capital out
of the complicated arrangements arising out of the
Reform Bill has been a desire at o,:ce mean and
treacherous. The spirit of faction has been rain-