New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-02-21

about conventional understandings and political
compromises have made their appearance. They
| made no scruple-or some Of them made nome
about violating what old-fashioned members held
sacred. The Irish led the way Mr. Bradlaush and
Mr. Thompson and their comrades followed, and
things camo presently to such pass that II the
House was to preserve even the forms of order and
decency and the pretence of a capacity for legsla-
tiOn, some new rule was necessary.
That Is the real revolution. All Mr.. Gladstone
and the Speaker and Sir Stafford Nofthcote have
done is to recognize the existence of this novelty
and to agree upon means of dealing with lt. What
they have done is TO provide that when, upon notice
given. o motion be made by Minister of the
Crown that the state of public business Is urgent
specifying the bill or other matter referred TO- the
Speaker shall forthwith put the question without de-
bate or amendment. If, in his Judgment. the Noes
have there end ofthe matter and no urgency.
If otherwise, division Is forthwith TO be taken,
and If urgency be voted by majority of not less
than three to one in o House of not less than three
hundred members. all the powers of the House for
the regulation of its business shall thereupon vest
in the Speaker for the purpose of proceeding with
the business then declared urgent, and shall remain
with him until he declares that the state of public
business is no longer urgent and until the House
itself, lpOn notice given and motion made, shall so
determine. That, as you perceive is a very solemn
performance. The machinery is elaborate the oc-
casion must be grave one, Minister
must pledge himself in advance to the
necessity Of urgency the House which votes
it must number at least 800, of whom two-thirds
mnst approve, and either the Speaker by himself,
or bare majority of the House. may put an end at
any moment to the state of urgency. in which case
business and debate and obstruction may go on as
BEFORE 1t is far less stringent form of controlling
obstruction than Is in use in America or France, OF
most other countries where legislatures exist It is
well enough adapted to deal with organized OBJ
structi0n when the measure Obstructed is of great
Importance. 1t does not affect in any way the
ordinary course of procedure.
Yet this il ls upon the adoption of which one or
two Radical journals rung the changes upon Parlia-
mentary Dictatorship with shreks about coaps
Napoleon Ill., and to know not whom. II was hur-
red through In panic and in passion, cried they
On that have said as much as care to. But what
remains to be noted that both the great parties in
the House of Commons united on this measure. The
Speaker approved it. though OF the last men in
the world to grasp at power. Every man of expert
ence and parliamentary weight on both sides gave
It his sanction, including Mr.. Whtbread and Mr. |
Walpole. twas adopted in very full House uDau-
stage was called or taken. heard one loud-voced
No when the Speaker put the question for the last
time. but one only, and he. whoever he was. did
not venture to take the yeas and nays
Its adoption was welcomed with Iong-cOn- |
timed cheering in the House, and has
been applaudcd by every Liberal journal. far as
| know, in England save two and both those two |
have since acQuiesced in it necessity, though at
first regrettlnR what they deemed precipitation In |
voting it. Immediately upon the adoption of the |
order ITSELF urgency was voted on the Protection |
bl and under the operation of it debate is going
at this moment Two sttinGs have been held |
since the declaration of urgency. don't say that |
an experience short as that is sufficient argue
from But the fact is that during those two sttings,
not only has order regned in the House, but debate
has flowed on unchecked. Neither the Government |
nor the Speaker has shown the slightest disposition
to stop discussion. Whoever has anted to speak has
been able to speak and third sitting is in pro-
gress. during which the making Of speeches still pro-
ceeds. The Irish more dumb than before. But
the difference is this that whereas before their alk
and their motions were purely dlatory, they can no
longer make purely diatnry motions and their talk
must be in the nature of reasonable discussion Of
the BILL Even Mr.. Biggar has been heard. or, at
any rate has been allowed to occupy the time of the
House for full hour. And hazard nothing in pre-
dieting hat when time enough has elapsed for a |
full trial of the new ORDER it will be found that |
minOritics the Irish minOrity-will be found |
in full possession Of all the liberty and all the rights
aad privileges the old rules were intended TO secure
What they will have lost will be the power to abuse
those rules and privileges G.w.S.