" DIFFICULTIES " TO BE CONQUERED.
BY many, not without a show of probability, the Times is re- garded, for the present, as the regular Ministerial organ,—volun- tarily and independently, of course, but still adopting Ministerial views. Looking at it in this light, we are sorry to perceive no token that effective measures will be taken to reform the pro- cedure of either House of Parliament. The Leading Journal, which within its own establishment defies the impossible and luxuriates in overriding "difficulties," consents, on behalf of whomsoever it may concern, to be overwhelmed at the " diffi- culties " of the reforms in the conduct of public business, recom- mended by the grave and discreet members of Mr. Evelyn Denison's Committee.
"Feasible, however, as these recommendations seem, it is clear that no change will be effective which runs counter to the general wish and feeling of the House. Night not all that is necessary be accomplished, even as matters stand at present, if Members would resolutely set their faces against idle prolixity and factions op- position? If the answer to this question be in the negative, then it is perfectly certain that some specific change will be called fpr, which will eradicate, or at least modify so intolerable a nuisance. We are in no degree anxious to see French forms or American forms adopted, as such. The English House of Commons has been the model of all representative assemblies throughout the world. Let it purge itself of this evil. We are fully aware of all the difficulties which surround any change that goes to shackle the liberty of discussion ; we know well that, however agreeable it might be to the public to see Mr. Chisholm Anstey silenced,the means of effecting this desirable consummation might be turned into an evil precedent; but with all this, it is abundantly certain that were the House resolved to put a stop to reckless talking, the thing might be accomplished. Here is a contest of diffi- ciltties. We know not the evil to which a change might lead us; we know the evil under which we labour, and it is well nigh intolerable. What is to be done? A limitation certainly to the length of speeches—the American one-hour rule—ap- pears bit little likely to draw danger along with it. Half the time should suffice for even the principal speakers in the House, except under extraordinary circum- stances, such as the introduction of a bill, a financial statement, and so forth."
So, to judge by the signs here, we might suppose that Minis- ters will flinch from enforcing the recommendations of the Com- mittee, and will leave it to Members ! They are expected " reso- lutely to set their faces against idle prolixity and factious oppo- sition"; which they never do. There are "difficulties"—"a con- test of difficulties"; there may be some "evil precedent"!
As a set-off, the Times promises on its own part to "lose no op- portunity of signalizing to public attention the idle loquacity of those Members through whose means the public time is frittered away": which is much. A daily index expurgatorius of idle talkers would be a formidable thing. In another way also the daily press might help: Honourable Members often speak less to be heard than to be reported ; and by subserving to those talkers against printed space, the daily journals encourage idle loquacity, until their own columns are surcharged with a burden of tedious- ness that disgusts all readers. The vulgar greed for quantity has been pampered to utter satiety, and few dive beyond the leading summary of the debate, unless it be on rare occasions to peruse some speech of first-rate mark. A castigated style of reporting, apportioned to ideas rather than words, would please readers, would cause Members to be in truth more read, and would tend to chasten the flow of eloquence. But why leave it to Members ? why prolong a useless trial ? why not at once give effect to the recommendations of as mode- rate, discreet, and influential a Committee as ever presented a re- port? It would be quite practicable. The announcement of a determination in Ministers to that effect would be all that is wanted to obtain the immediate concurrence of the House of Com- mons; or if that body were, by chance, not quite so reasonable and tractable, it would assuredly be'brought to its senses by any Minister who should attest his resolve by making the matter a Cabinet question. A Minister has a perfect right to say, that if the House will not adopt such order as shall permit the public business to be conducted without waste of time and energy, he will not undertake to lead in the conduct of that business.*
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