The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-15 00:00:00

He pointed out the various plans and projects which
were before the House, and concluded by advising
Mr. DISRAELI to adopt the motion of sending the
bill to a select committee. Perhaps some dawning
consciousness of the factiousness of his ways had
impressed the right hon. gentleman, or else he
thought that it really was of consequence that the
bill should be settled one way or the other ; but be
this as it may, he certainly followed a course far
more to his credit than any ho has pursued at any
previous time this session. Mr. DISRAELI said that
there were many difficulties in the way of the bill,
but argued very truly that a satisfactory settlement
could easily be made if the House showed a spirit
of patience and conducted its debates with temper.
It is desirable that the bill should be passed by the
10th of June, and therefore in any changes that are
made, or in any departure from the original

scheme, it must be borne in mind, that they must
not be too comprehensive or take too long in their
carrying out. Mr. DISRAELI pointed out a very
efficient remedy for the evils complained of by Mr.
GLADSTONE in the way of delays, and showed that
morning sittings would obviate the difficulty and
delay, but this suggestion did not meet with much
approval. Still it will be the best course to adopt
if any serious objections are made to the bill as it
stands at present. On the part of the Government
the right hon. gentleman declared that there would
be no party spirit evinced, and that they would use
every effort to effect their object, of accomplishing
the work necessary for passing the bill. It was a
good suggestion also of Mr. DISRAELI'S to refer
any complicated point and controverted case to the
Commissioners themselves, for there can be no dis-
respect iu adopting such a course, while it will
certainly facilitate the work, and tend to its more
satisfactory result.
After some discussion had taken place, Mr.
DISRAELI, 'm the part of the Government, con-
sented to the appointment of a select committee of
five members, on condition that it should be ap-
pointed by the Committee of Selection—that it
should sit every day—that its labours should be
limited to those boroughs from which petitions had
been presented—that the evidence should be docu-
mentary only—and that it should be enabled to
consult with the Commissioners. These are all
very wise restrictions, and, if adhered to, will pre-
vent the affair from dragging its length, and the
time of the House being unnecessarily consumed,
while its patience is exhausted. On Monday this
select committee will be moved for, and Mr. HARDY
to-night is to give notice of the names and of the
boroughs:that will be referred to it ; it being under-
stood that any member may, if he thinks fit, move
an addition to the list. Some other points
are left to Monday, and then it is
to be hoped that a speedy arrangement may
be come to, for really it is of n 9,-practical use to
keep on discussing the same thing over and over
again ; and in trying to be too concise hon. mem-
bers run a chance of having to give up some im-
portant change through the want of time. Further
on, Mr. GLADSTONE proposed his bill, which he did
wi,,hout comment. The comparative calm which
had reigned throughout the evening here changed
to a strange scene. Colonel KNOX moved the ad-
journment of the debate in order to do away with
the Suspensory Bill, and quoted some passages
about the Irish Church, which, he said, had been
found from Mr. GLADSTONE'S own speeches, these
were strictly in support of the Irish Church, but it
appeared subsequently that be had not reliable
authority, Mr. GLADSTONE averring that it was Mr.
WHITESIDE who had delivered the sentences referred
to. It would, however, have been quite possible for
Colonel KNOX to have found many extracts from
the right bon. gentleman's speech which would have
answered his purpose quit?, as well, so that the ex-
citement of the Opposition when Mr. GLADSTONE
quoted Hansard rested OR imaginary grounds, and
not real ones.
,Mr. VANCE spoke out very much to
the fact that had Mr. GLADSTONE himself been in
office all this time we should have seen and heard
nothing of this bill, but that it was an instrument
used to " oust" Mr. DISRAELI. There is a good
deal of truth in this stricture, for if the right hon.
gentleman feels so strongly on the point, why did he
not take it up when he was in power, aud not leave the
arduous task till he was in opposition? Also, it may
be said, why did not his party urge it upon him if
they feel it of such vital importance that the change
should be made. It may be urged that, according
to this theory any great improvement or compre-
hensive reform would never have been made at all,
which is true so far as generally applied, but in
this particular case of forcing the House
of Commons to treat on the subject this
year it does not apply The fact is, that
as time goes on, and•the first excitement has died
away, people are beginning to understand the dis-
tinction that exists between the Irish Church ques-
tion and the Liberals coming into power, which
before had been jumbled together in a manner con-
venient to screen, but not very condacive to the
freedom of Parliamentary discussion. The second
reading of the Suspensory Bill is fixed for this day
week, notwithstanding some objections to the short-
ness of the interval that is to occur.