New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-01

cable dispatches have stated that the Govern
ment did not look for larger majority than
25, the Liberals are shown to have rallied 10
the support of the Premier in unexpected force
The majority is slightly in excess OF that ny
which Lord Fitzmaurice's amendment limiting
the fair rent clauses of the Land Act was de-
feated and that is, we believe, the lowest vote
which the Government has yet received on u
party measure. This division involves the
final passage of the closure, which is the only
one Of the proposed rules embodyng prin-
ciple distinctvey new. The majOrities for the
remaining proposals for the reform OF pro-
cedure will undoubtedly he larger, ms the rules
are not directly in conflict with the preceden's
of the Commons.
The precise form of the "preyious ques-
ton" which Mr. Gladstone is introducing III
England may he readily defined. The prac-
tce has been to adjourn debate from time to
time so long as there was any member who was
anxious 10 discuss the question, the divisions
being finally arranged by the party "whips,"
and anyone who was still trimming with talk
being coughed down or silenced by outcries
for division. When the Irish obstructiOuists
deliberately "talked OUT each reading of
bill and postponed indefinitely the consdera-
ton of amendments in committee, and when
the IIotspurs of the Tory camp rcsorted to the
same dilatory tactics in order to harass
the Government of the day. a change
in this antiquated system of procedure
became necessary. Mr.. Gladstone proposes to
invest the Speaker, or the Chairman of Com
mittee of the Whole House. with authority to
suspend proceedings and to ascertain the pref
erences Of the members in regard to the con-
thu &c or close of the debate. The "pre-
vious question is moved at his discretion,
and not by any member as Is the practice IN
the United States House of Representatives;
but the motion is not dcbatable, and its adOp-
ton on a division rests with the members
themselves. Mr.. GladstOnc's original scheme
provided that the motion to close the debate
should be supported 10y more than hundred
or opposed by fewer than forty members.
That is to say it could be carried by vote
of POI to 900 or of 40 to 80 THIS would
have given the party in power absolute control
of the House at all times provided they could
depend upon the cooperation Of the presiding
officer Mr.. Gladstone subsequently modified
this rule by providing that the closure could
not be ordered by fewer tlian 1O1 members,
even when the minority ran below 10. This
was intended as n safeguard against the forced
passage of bills OF motions in empty Houses.
The form to which the closure is reduced is
simply this debate may be cut short and di-
vision ordered at the discretion of the presiding
officer if the proposition be sanctioned by more
than 200 members when the minority exceeds
TO- or by more than 100 members when the
minority is less than 10
The expedient by which Mr. Gladstone hopes
TO restrict debate aud to restore the efficiency
of parliamentary procedure is simple, mod
crate and reasonable. 4 competent majority
of the Commons will have power TO dispatch
public business by controlling the course of dis
cussion and ordering divisions. This power
will be exercised under SO many restrictions
that there is no danger that the rights of mi
norties will ever suffer from the arbitrary ac-
ton of maioritics So far from its being
plot against free speech and individual liberty,
it affords the majority what 1t has not
had since Obstruction tactics were introduced,
adequate protection from the tyrannicll ca
prices of factiOus minority. Mr. Gladstone
ought to have had the support of the entire
House, without regard to party associations,
in his efforts TO rescue the Commons from the
dscreditable plight into which it has fallen-a
state of utter incapacity arising from the pa
ralysis Of all its proper functions. Unhappily
has lcveled against him its dead
lest shafts Ignorance, prejudice and maley-
olcncc have been arrayed against the m0der-
ate and reasonable proposals which hc has
made. The effects Of the measure have been
grossly exaggerated, and the motives Of his
action persistenty msropresentcd. The result
has been that the Opposition has recruited its
ranks from Irish malcontents and Wing strag-
glers, and that the closure will only be voted
after a protracted struggle, and then 10y a mar
row majority.