For some time past, indeed, two Committees of the Council
have been trying to devise a workable scheme for puttingthe cost of permanent improvements on the ground-landlords. These Committees, however, though specially anxious to discover a plan, failed in the attempt, and could not manage to make any suggestion. Such a result might have been expected to induce the County Council to pause. In fact, it had the reverse effect, and made them attempt, under threats, to force upon Parliament the work of finding out how to get at the ground- landlords. Against tactics so absurd and so childish, it is hardly to be wondered at that the thirty-six members resolved to pro- test. They have, however, not confined themselves to this one point, but have added a general remonstrance against the Council's ridiculous and offensive habit of discussing abstract resolutions, and of making proposals to the Legislature upon subjects with which they have nothing to do. We have no dis- like of the Council, and have always hoped that it would do great things for London. If, however, it persists in its present courses, it will make the town utterly weary of its antics. Englishmen like their public bodies above all things to be businesslike, and to attend to their own affairs.
Previous page
