On Thursday, in answer to Mr. Cowen's question as to
the truth of the report that the Government had consented some six weeks ago to accept a standing order imposing the closure of debate only by a two-thirds majority, Mr. Gladstone replied that such a concession had certainly been made on the assump- tion that by making it, the New Rules would be disposed of forth- with,—" the Government reserving to themselves the right to reconsider the matter, if the public interest should require such a course." Mr. Gladstone, indeed, implied that as the condition of things had since quite changed, and there was no chance of getting through the new rules with the ease that was then hoped for, this resecvation would take effect ; and that the Government held themselves, therefore, quite at liberty now to withdraw theirconcession in favour of the full consideration of the new rules of Procedure which he proposed. On Tuesday, Mr. Gladstone had already explained that only the two Irish Bills and the Corrupt Practices Bill would certainly be proceeded with, though he hoped to announce soon whether a third Irish Bill, amending the Land Act as regards its Lease Clauses and its Purchase Clauses, would be proposed. The question of procedure, how- ever, must be dealt with either in the present or in an autumn Session of Parliament, and not be left hanging round the neck of the House of Commons when the Session of next year opens. We may, then, reasonably hope that not only will this hasty and imprudent concession to the dilatory party be withdrawn, but that we may make a business-like Standing Order of the first resolution, after all.
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