18 FEBRUARY 1871, Page 2

A Bill is to be introduced by Government prohibiting bankrupt

Peers from sitting in the House of Lords. The rule already exists, in the House of Commons, and is a just one, as we do not want lawgivers who represent their creditors ; but why do not the Peers go a step farther, and, like the old Chamber of France, authorize themselves to expel any Peer whom a jury of Lords decide to have been guilty of conduct unworthy of his order? That would be a check on vice. This, after all, is only a new brand affixed to poverty. Suppose a Bishop had been a shareholder in Overencl Gurneys !