Mr. Gladstone announced on Thursday that the Government would consider
whether the Agricultural Holdings Bill could not have precedence of the Bill against Corrupt Practices at Elections. It is probable, therefore, that they intend to give the former Bill precedence. It is, of course, assumed in some quarters that the Attorney-General's Bill is, therefore, given up, but this is not the case. Mr. Gladstone informed his followers that it was indispensable, and it will be strenuously pressed. The change of purpose-is due to the representations of landlords, who want to discuss the Tenants' Bill and get away, and to the necessity of giving the Lords time for consideration. Those unhappy gentlemen have had nothing to do all the Session, and are naturally not in a pleasant mood. The division of work between the Houses is indeed preposterous, but no one is able to devise a remedy. For a Liberal Government to propose political Bills in the Upper House first is to ensure their rejection.
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