On Friday week, Mr. Storey rose at 9 o'clock to
move a resolution that it is desirable for any Bill which has twice passed the Commons, but failed to pass the Lords, and which shall, with the support of the Government, pass the Commons again in the same Parliament and receive the assent of the Crown, to become law. The House was counted out at a quarter to 11, so that Mr. Storey's friends were not suffi- ciently ardent in their support of him even to keep a quorum. Mr. Storey said that the House of Lords now claim a power of permanent veto,—a claim which Lord Salisbury himself peremptorily repudiates, claiming only for it the right to appeal to the people whenever there is reasonable ground for doubting what the people really desire. Doubtless the House of Lords have not always acted on that principle ; but then there has generally been plausible ground for doubting what the popular wish really is.
