NEWS OF THE WEEK
THE revolt of the Peers yesterday week, which Lord Salis- bury advised and personally led, was a mere flash in the pan. In the most high-handed manner, in one long succession of motions, Lord Salisbury moved to insist on the Peers' amendments, and to disagree with the amendments of the Commons ; and when, at the close of the sitting, Lord Granville, in solemn tones, expressed his dismay at the small respect paid to the large majorities of the other House, Lord. Salisbury replied, in scornful language, that it was not consistent with the ordinary practice of their Lordships to submit to a scolding from the Leader of the House at the end of their deliberations ; that the objections of the Lords "had not been met in a spirit indicating a desire either to respect your Lordships' opinion, or to promote an amicable and concilia- tory settlement of the question ;" and that "such as the conduct of the Government has been in respect to this Bill, and such as the conduct of your Lordships has been, the conduct both of the Government and your Lordships must be submitted to the judgment of the country." Lord Salisbury added, "I am sure that the country will recognise in your Lordships' action a desire to protect individual right and time-honoured legal and constitutional principles against violent innovation promoted by temporary passion, which has been the principal function from the first of your Lordships' Chamber, and which I trust to the end you will boldly and manfully fulfil." The whole world was upset. The gage was flung down. The Lords, it appeared, would either conquer, or die.
