On Wednesday night a great meeting of Liberal Unionists. was
held in St. James's Hall, under the auspices of the Metropolitan Liberal Unionist Federation and the Women's Liberal Unionist Association. The Duke of Devonshire, who, was in the chair, declared that "the powers of mischief " possessed by the present House of Commons are effectually "crippled and destroyed," and, "so far as the next Parlia- ment is concerned, we may be almost certain that these elements of danger and mischief will no longer be expected." That is a bold prophecy, but none the less it -is one which we believe will prove true. After declaring that the controversy over the Budget of 1894 was settled beyond revival, though he was still unconvinced as to its statesmanship or justice, the Duke went on to deal with the policy of the present Government. "Log-rolling, thank God, has not yet become a permanent or successful part of our institutions." That. was a very characteristic outburst, and shows how well the Duke of Devonshire represents the most English part of Englishmen. The trafficking in votes between the groups and their leaders is hated in England with a depth of hatred which it would be difficult to exaggerate. It is one of the things which make a certain type of elector grind his teeth.
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