The House, having nothing to do, has been amusing itself
with another breach-of-privilege case. Mr. Ripley, Member for Brad- ford, is so very weak-kneed a Liberal that the Political Committee of the Reform Club have invited his consideration to his votes, and threatened him with expulsion. Sir W. Fraser, considering this a breach of privilege, moved on Monday that Mr. Lewis Morris, who signed the letter, should be brought to the Bar of the House. The Speaker hinted that the letter was hardly a threat to be taken such notice of, but the worthy baronet per- sisted, Mr. Ripley made a solemn declaration that he did not care for the Political Committee of the Reform Club, and Sir G. Bowyer, who had received a similar letter, angrily protested against the dic- tation of Whig Whips. Mr. Disraeli, however, had burnt his fingers with privilege last year, and so he gently sat upon Sir W. Fraser, telling him quite intelligibly that although the Reform Club had committed an indiscretion, he was a goose for making a fuss about it ; and Lord Hartington, though he had no intention of defend- ing the Club, said a political club was very useful, and might sometimes be compelled to defend the principle of its constitution. The Member for Kidderminster, he remarked, seemed inclined to imitate Mr. Lewis, who had last year raised a question of the kind, from which the House did not emerge with credit. After a few snappish words from Mr. Lewis, who objected to being Lord Hartington's "butt," the discussion ended, leaving out- siders in doubt whether, if a lady " cut " a Member in consequence
of a vote on female suffrage, she would or would not be sum- moned to the Bar. The Members for Kidderminster and London- derry should hunt up such cases, and take the sense of the House upon them. They would amuse the House and the country, and as to becoming a little ridiculous,—what is that, in the path of duty ?
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