On Monday, Mr. Gladstone declined to accede to the request
made by Sir John Lubbock, and a few other Liberal Members, that the closure of a debate shall only be imposed by a two- thirds majority. We have given our reasons elsewhere for thinking that such a provision would have been equivalent to giving up the whole advantage of the right to close debate when there has been enough of debate, so far as that right is meant to expedite the business, and practically to strengthen
the hands, of the House of Commons. We may add, that we do not much wonder that Sir John Lubbock is of a different opinion. Indeed, were the average Member on either side of the House as well disposed to help the opposite party, when ho thinks the opposite party in the right, as is,$ir John Lubbock, the closure of debate by a two-thirds vote might be effective enough. Only, we must add that in that case too, there would be no occasion for voting the closure at all.
