INTERNAL POLICE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
BEFORE this week the question of " privilege " as arising out of the Stockdale case and its numerous progeny has related chiefly to thepowers claimed by the House of Commons over people " out of doors." A new hare has been started. The power of the Commons to set their own house in order—to keep their own Members at work—is questioned. The House of Commons has resolved that the attendance of Members on Railway Committees shall be compulsory ; two Irish Members are recusant ; can the House enforce their obedience to its resolution ?
Under ordinary circumstances this would be a question of easy solution. By getting himself returned to Parliament, a Member tacitly promises to take his fair share in the business of Parlia- ment. Every corporate body to which political functions are intrusted has the power of enacting by-laws to regulate its own internal police. This is one of those powers without which it cannot discharge its functions—without which it would be a mere name and a mockery. Parliament, as well as every minor corporation, must have the power to compel its Members to work so long as they remain Members.
But the question thus raised is complicated with all the dif- ficulties which surround every matter relating to Ireland. It is a new device of the systematic agitators of Ireland to keep agita- tion alive. Were an English or a Scotch Member to absent him- self from his duties, the House of Commons would have an easy task in dealing with him. The desire of his constituents to be effectively represented would lead them to make common cause with the House. But, secure of the applause and support of their disaffected followers, the Irish Members bully the House • declare that they will not subject themselves to the labours Which as Members they are in duty bound to perform ; and that they will avail themselves of their power as Members to thwart and ob- struct such measures of Parliament as they dislike. Mr. Smith O'Brien and Mr. John O'Connell take this ground, confident that any deserved punishment they may incur as refractory Members will appear, in the partial eyes of their constituents, martyrdom
for the cause of Ireland. is another phasic of the seemingly insoluble problem of Irish government.
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