The Government has met with unexpected opposition to its serious
proposals on Procedure. The Committee has been reasonable enough about hours of meeting and details of that kind ; but as regards the Closure, without which all arrangements can be baffled, the Tories have joined the Irishmen, and Closure by the vote of a majority has been refused. The Committee has, it is true, resolved, by 18 to 6, that Closure may be voted by a majority of two-thirds ; but that will be practically no preventive of olsstruc- tion when a large party wishes to obstruct. The Government intend, it is said, to renew their proposal when the Rules come before the House; but so many Radicals agree with the Tories, that we fear the Closure will never be carried till a Government refuses, without it, to carry on the business of the tonutry. The pretest that a mere majority ought not to stop debate is a pretext merely. A majority of one can approve a war, pass a Reform Bill, or declare Ireland in dependent.
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