The debate was languid. It was so obvious that the
conclusion of the Tory Government was a foregone one, that the House hardly listened to the reasons of the various speakers. Of Mr. Pell's, Mr. Dixon's, Mr. Forster's, and Lord Sandon's arguments we have said enough elsewhere, and need only add that Mr. Forster's speech was a very powerful declaration for direct compulsion as the only mode of rendering the indirect compulsion really efficient. Mr. Cross's speech was merely a dilatory plea, and Mr. Stanhope was in great alarm lest sending agricultural boys to school should result in forcing women once more into the fields. Mr. Fawcett's resolution was beaten by a majority of 80 (229 to 149), Mr. Pell's (Tory) amendment, for more inspectors to enforce the Agricul- tural Children's Act, was defeated, though the Liberals in general voted for it, by a majority of 76 (223 to 150) ; and Mr. Locke's motion for the adjournment of the debate was beaten by 83 (227 to 144), after which Mr. Macgregor moved the adjournment of the House, and Mr. Disraeli, remarking that an adjournment was just what, in its present temper, it was in need of, assented, and the adjournment was carried by 224 to 41, some Home-rule Members who said that the adjournment of the Ifouse would extinguish the motion for producing papers relative to the case of Mr. John Mitchell, resisting the adjournment. That, however, was just what the House wished, and it decided to do it by the great majority of 183. Irish Members should not forget that the pole of the political magnet which attracts Irish, repels English votes.
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