The London Corporation, being anxious just now for popu- larity,
has introduced a Bill the essential proiision of which is that the Water Companies shall be paid according to the water used, and not according to rental. The Companies do not like this, and on the second reading on Tuesday, their advocates united with the Tories to throw out the Bill. After a sharp debate, during which Lord Randolph Churchill accused the Corporation of "confiscation "—imagine the Aldermen stealing for the public good l—the Bill was thrown out by 197 to 152, the vote of Mr. Coope, chairman of one Water Company, being allowed. We have discussed the matter elsewhere, but may note here that whenever a great " interest " is attacked, it runs to the Opposition for protection, and gets it. That is natural, we suppose; but Tories should remember that electors are watching all this with understanding eyes, and that at the last election " water" influenced thousands of London votes. There is no "ignorant impatience of taxation " left, but there is a good deal of impatience of rating.
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