It would seem that, while the authority of the United
States Constitution is always treated by the Government as final in favour of any concession to the subordinate Legislature, it is quite ignored when its authority is against that concession. On Tuesday, Lord Wolmer proposed to restrain the Irish Legislature from passing ex post facto laws, which the State Legislatures in the American Union are prohibited from doing ; but Mr. Gladstone then took refuge in the power of the Colonial Governments to pass ex post facto laws, and Lord Wolmer's amendment was negatived by a majority of 30 (270 to 240). On the subject of contracts, again, Lord Wolmer moved an amendment embodying the United States principle that no law should be made impairing the obligation of contracts ; and this amend- ment was, with a slight qualification, supported by Mr. Rath- bone, a leading Gladstonian ; but the Attorney-General declared that in the United States this provision had been found to impede useful legislation, and it was negatived by a majority of 37 (260 to 223). Next, Mr. Brodrick's amend- ment to prevent any higher taxation being placed on land than on any other kind of property, was negatived by a majority of 32 (270 to 238). During Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, it is clear enough that the revolt of the Irish Members on the previous Friday had greatly alarmed the Government, and prevented them from making any con- cessions.
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