We desire to endorse and make our own the words
we have just quoted. In our opinion they are just and discriminating, and in no sense exaggerate the importance of the incident. As we pointed out immediately after the evidence given by the Attorney-General and the Chancellor of the Exchequer before the Marconi Committee, their own statements show that they let themselves be placed under a pecuniary obligation (it may have been at second band, but none the less effectively) by a person contracting with the Government. To say that is not to say that they were bribed, because bribery involves corrupt intent, of which no one accuses them. It is proved, however that the Ministers implicated did things highly unbecoming Ministers of the Crown, things which set a very bad example, and which are only too likely some day to be pleaded as a precedent and excuse for those who are acting with corrupt intent. This is the conduct which the House of Commons refused to condemn or even to regret.
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