The Member for Hereford, Mr. W. H. Grenfell, has given
notice that, since the adoption by the Government of the policy of retaining the Irish Members for all purposes,— British as well as Irish,—he can no longer count himself a sup- porter of the Government. He appears, however, to regard their refusal to coin silver in the Indian mint as a greater political transgre ssion tb an even the privilege accorded to the Irish Mem- bers of voting on matters which no longer concern them, and he tenders the resignation of his seat. He wrote, however, to the Liberal agent at Hereford that, before applying for the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, or any other office in- volving the vacation of his seat, he desired to consult in every way the convenience of the Liberal Party. "I wish to leave this matter entirely in your hands ; but, in the meantime, I desire it to be distinctly understood that I consider myself under no obligation to support the present Government." There are not a few Gladstonians who would say the same, if they had Mr. Grenfell's political nerve and candour.
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