Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-15
GLADSTONE CORNERED.
Tine Conservatives Refuse 90 Grant
"UrgencY" on the Supply-Sir
Stafford NOrtheOte 20 the Country
The "TImes,s on the situation.

LONDON, March 14-Sir Stafford North
cote, in his letter TO his constituents ex-
plaining the course he had advised the Con.
servatives TO take in regard to urgency for
the committee Of supply, says: "The ques-
tion is Of vital importance, not in a party
sense, but ss touching the very essence and
marrow OF the Parliamentary system" He
urges that the government has plenty of
time for voting the supplies without urgen-
cy, and protests against the demand for the
supplies with the pistol presented at the
head Of the Opposition.
Mr.. Charles Bradlaugh offered hIs resig-
nation to the government, so that they, by
accepting It, can deprive the Conservatives
OF any opportunity for obstructing business
In the House OF Commons by long debate
on Mr.. Gorst's motion for an election OF q
successor to Brsdlaugh.
The Tunes says Sir Stafford Northcote's
address to his constituents 10 a political
event for which It win be difficult to ind q
precedent. and is step Of which the con-
sequence may prove extremely grave. 1t
body OF the Conservative opposi-
ton, after deliberate reflection and
discussion. The Conservatives will not
support Mr.. Gladstones proposal for urgen-
cy. 1t will, therefore. be defeated should
It be pressed. The form of Sir Stafford
Northcote'S protest is In itself an illustra-
ton of the embarrassing and abnormal
condition now prevailing. He is
compelled to address the electors Of North
Devon, because when Mr.. Gladstone's reso-
luton is put to the House no debate viii be
permitted. Mr.. Gladstone himself viii not
to day have an opportunity Of answering
Sir Stafford Horthcote. If Sir
Stafford NortheOte's statement be correct
his refusal to support urgency is abundant
lY justified. II public business should not
be found capable of dispatch In the manner
he suggests he will have to share the blame
with the government. Mr.. Gladstone
must acquiesce in the rejection
of his resolution. It would be ridiculous
to think OF evading ministerial crisis out
OF the Conservatives refusal to grant ur-
gency wherever demanded. II the Opposi-
tion were to stand doggedlY In the
way of legitimate business there
might be some pretext for an appeal to
constituencies, even by a minister with q
large majority behind him. The Conserva-
tiyes have shown SO much consideration and
public spirit during. the present
session that their denunciation on
the ground Of having declined to
vote urgency In the supply would
hardly find favor. Moreover, Sir Stafford
Northcote's alternative suggestions are at
least plausible, and until they have been
tried and Visibly failed, the case for urgency
cannot be regarded as established. The
issue Of the Coventry election will not en-
courage the government to pick a
quarrel with the Opposition on the ground
of the proposed urgency vote. The contest
Is evidence, to certain extent, of an
ebb in the tide which ran SO Overwhelmingly
high at the last election. The differences OF
the government, though not all of their own
creation, are producing the usual effect upon
the minds of the masses. II is q time for
cIrcumspection In policy. Ministers must
be heedful not to affront the popular feel
ing, and to abstain from challenging unne-
cessary conflicts upon doubtful grounds"