A growing vice of our Parliamentary system, the absence of
young men who can and will take office, has been strongly illus- trated this week. Lord Palmerston wanted, of course, to fill Mr. Stansfeld's post by some one from the same side. He offered it therefore to Mr. Baxter, the member for Montrose, a man remark- able chiefly for honesty, hard sense, and business knowledge ; but Mr. Baxter had too much to do making money to serve the State, and said so. This is the third refusal of the kind within a very recent period, and there are at least a dozen men now in the House whose wealth destroys their utility. If the constituencies will persist in preferring middle-aged people with fortunes, Government will very soon be compelled to place eldest sons and cadets of great houses in every Par- liamentary post. Failing Mr. Stansfeld, the post was offered to Mr. Childers, a middle-aged gentleman of Australian experience, who may do very well, but who is very likely to have a sharp fight for his seat.
