THE DUTY OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE 'SPECTATOR"]
SIE,—The effect of the action of the Opposition in Parliament under this decadent party system manifestly is to enable the revolutionary elements of what is called the Government Party in the House of Commons to force its policy on the Government. In these circumstances, does not a special duty devolve upon the House of Lords ? Is not that House bound to use its veto, as it did in the case of Gladstone's Home-rule Bill, which was forced through the House of Commons by the influence of the Irish vote on the Govern- ment against, we may be pretty sure, the real sense of the Rouse of Commons ? For what it did on that occasion the House of Lords is now generally applauded. Would it not be equally applauded for the free exercise of at least a suspensive veto in the present case P—I am, Sir, &c.,
Previous page
