The two Mr. Bentincks, perhaps the most adroit obstructionists in
the House, managed after the debate to move that the House itself should vote by ballot, Mr. Bentinck alleging that there was more corruption, bribery, and intimidation in the House than in any single constituency, an assertion he was compelled to modify by excepting the present House itself. Mr. C. Bentinck made rather a good speech, pressing the only sound argument for the proposal, that members ought to be free representatives, and not delegates, with much force ; but, of course, the House of Port- land had its eccentric opinion to itself. Constituencies want to hear what their representatives say, and will hear it, though oddly enough, secret voting is, as regards them, the law of the land. The Times may be punished to-morrow for publishing a Division List, and Hansard is every day guilty of contempt in selling copies of "Votes and Proceedings."
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