It is widely believed that the Government have determined to
make their new Rules of Procedure the first business, and to resign if the House declines to carry them through. It is not known whether they will be resisted by the leaders of Opposition, but certainly, if the Rules are accurately described, the Govern- ment would seem to be " riding for a fall." The proposed Rules are utterly useless without the Closure, and will annoy men who desire nothing better than quick despatch. All parties wish to reduce notices to writing, to limit questions, and, perhaps, to make Autumn Sessions regular institutions; but the proposed rule, that business shall commence at 2 p.m., and halt between 7 and 9 p.m., will expel all professional men, merchants, and bankers from the House. How are they to earn their living ? The Judges certainly, to begin with, will not sit at 8 a.m. ; nor will the City consent to knock off business always at 2 o'clock. The Rules are inadequate to the need, and needlessly vexations, and if they are seriously pressed, are sure to be defeated.
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