Mr. Labouchere, who tries to combine the functions of leader
of the Extreme Left with those of jester-in-ordinary to the House, next moved the reduction of the salary of the Chancellor of the Exchequer from £5,000 a year to 02,000. His arguments were that some Cabinet Ministers received only £2,000, that too many Ministers were Peers and Peers' sons, and that equally good Ministers could be obtained for the lesser sum. That is trne, if office is limited to the rich ; but Mr. Labouchere would, we presume, disclaim that idea. The theory upon which Ministers' salaries were last fixed was that they should be equal to the usual income of men standing high in -other professions, and it was undoubtedly sound. Men do not serve the State for pay only ; but the State ought not to fine -them because they serve it. Mr. Labouchere expressly exempted the Premiership from any redaction, and we should like to know why. Lord Salisbury would hold the office for nothing gladly, and so, we doubt not, would Mr. Labouchere.
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