15 MAY 1847, Page 1

The contest in the House of Lords on the Irish

bill, last week, led to talk of a speedy dissolution. It might be supposed that The contest in the House of Lords on the Irish bill, last week, led to talk of a speedy dissolution. It might be supposed that the Anti-Peel party would rejoice in any plan for dissolving the Peel Parliament ; but one organ of the faction is quite shocked at the idea, and presumes that Ministers could not have meant any- thing so barbarous. The election seems to be desired by no party, dreaded by most. Those who apprehend it least, no doubt, are the politicians who belong to no party. It is no trouble to them that there is no " cry " with which to go to the election. One fear is far from groundless. Immense efforts will be made to return Members pledged to the Railway interests. Attempts will be kept up to turn the next House of Commons into a machine for the manufacture of railway acts—to make it a thoroughly Railway House. Any result mbre disastrous could not well be imagined. The extravagancies of '45 and '6 would be outdone; the disasters of '46-7 would be exceeded, so far as railway specu- lation would go. Electors will do well to look sharply at any candidate connected with private trading interests, especially railway interests. The very coolness of mere party antagonism makes the opportunity for the mere railway legislator. The con- stituencies ought to take care that they send men who will sup- port leading statesmen in keeping a firm hand over railway gam- bling. Apart from great qualities and reputation of a public order, the best test of a candidate for the next Parliament will be his name for personal honesty.