The Parliamentary week has been chiefly wasted over the Estimates,
progress being delayed by " discussion " on minor Scotch affairs and on the Irish police. The character of this latter discussion may be judged from the fact that on Tuesday Dr. Tanner, parodying a famous incident in Burke's career, produced a baton which he said a policeman had broken on an old woman's back. The baton was placed upon the table, from which Mr. T. Fielden removed it ; and after a division, Dr. Tanner missing his baton, appealed to the Speaker to restore it. The Speaker, of course, ordered its restoration, but observed,—" The House is about as tired as I am of these wretched personal squabbles circulating about the Member for Mid-Cork." That is doubtless true ; but why does not the House, instead of laughing, take action to repress such con- duct ? It may be perfectly certain that on the day public respect departs from it, power will depart too ; and that day is rapidly approaching. It begins to tolerate not only obstruc- tion, but buffoonery.
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