The majority in the House of Commons contradicted itself on
Tuesday in a very curious way, upon whioh we have dwelt elsewhere. Mr. Bartley moved that the Irish Legislature should be described in the First Clause of the Home-rule Bill as "subordinate to Parliament," and was supported in a strong speech by Lord Randolph Churchill, who pointed out that whatever supremacy might be inherent in the Imperial Government, it was parting with two great supports of that supremacy,—the control of the Executive and the control of Supply. He wanted to know clearly whether the supremacy was to be of the Colonial kind or not. Mr. Goschen also pointed out that the word " subordinate " had been perpetually used at elections, and in fact embodied the expectation of the electors. Colonel Saunderson also supported Mr. Bartley, as did Mr. Balfour ; but the only speech which weighed with the majority was that of Mr. Gladstone. Early in the debate the Premier stated that the Parliament in Dublin would be subordinate, but that he would not accept the word " subordinate," because it was not used about Colonial Legislatures, be- cause it would inflict a stigma, and because it would put a bar sinister on the Irish Legislature. He employed no other argument ; but it was sufficient, and his followers rejected the motion by 292 to 257, the unusual smallness of the majority being the result, it is stated, of absences caused by a meeting of the County Council.
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