THE LAW AND THE COMMONS.
2Iforning Chronicle on Thursday called attention to the fol- lowing announcement in its advertising columns-
" To PRINTERS AND °Tutus. By Mr. Crook, on the premises, Titch- bourne Court, Whetstone Park, Lincjlit's Inn Fields, on Tuday, December 17, at twelve, by order of the Sheriff of Middle , under a writ of feri ludas, in a cause Stoekdale r. Ilan:ard and Others'—Two hydraulic presses, with force-pumps complete, two standing pre,s,s, with Athol power, eleven Stan- hope pm.ses, with banks and borFes, and inking-tables complete, and one wood. proof-press. To be viewed the morning of sale. Catalogues to be had on the premises; and of Mr. Crook, auctioneer, 45, Skinner Street, Snowhill."
The. Chronicle appended a brief comment on the proceeding by which the printers to the House of Commons are menaced, in de- fault of compliance with the requisitions of the Courts of Law- " On the 1;th of this month will the property of Mr. Hansard be disposed of by public sale. Apre the 17th. st,ps must be taken by the Hauge of Cbrit- miss to rindirote their priritrgeg, if they do not mean to renounce them. "To say one word more after drawitig attention to this advertisement, would be to suppose that the 11011Se of Commons is inditIvrtnt to the preservation at attributes essential to the due (i:sellini4e of the part assigned them by the con- stitution ; a liliel on that body which we will not permit ourselves to commit," As Parliament actually stands prorogued to the 12th, and could not possibly be brought together before the 17th, manifestly the Sheriff's sale could not be prevented by any exercise of the Com- mons' privileges : and our contemporary himself soon became aware of this ; for, yesterday, he sail that "our Representatives must now take a decided course, and act on the offensive "—not by preventing the sale, but by punishing the parties—" as soon as Parliament meets."
Well, suprose the llouse in session, and the breach of privilege brought ti,rward : suppose also, what is not unlikely, that Mr. STnexuAm: and his at:orney have retired beyond the limits of the Speaker's authority : there remain the Sheriff of Middlesex and his officers to be dealt with. The 1-louse resolves to "lake a decided course and act upon the offem-,ivc." Passing over intermediate steps of' the proces,, let us farther suppose the Sheriff to be committed. What lidlews? His releltse ,.11 a writ of Habeas Corpus, and it may be, an action against the Speaker for Thlse imprisonment. The Court of King's Bench will assuredly protect their ottici..r acting in execution 01 their lav.-ful mandato. So far, the Commons will have gained nothing. M... lIANsAau will remain isthmus his printing- presses. STOCI:11AT.1-: p7us his damages, the attorneys on both sides with pocketsfull of fees ; the Sherilf of Middlesex at large, and acting in his turn 64 upon the offensive" against the Speaker.
The House may then summon Lord Dusstax to the bar. It is to this extent ; but, incredible that they will care' offensive action should they, the remedy that avails the SluTilf will avail the Judge,
and unless the Commons eau cm' in a force srifficimt to guard its prison-door against that which the Judges can bring into the field, the victory will remain with " the Courts below."
Supposition has been pushed to tom extreme which the reality will never reach. The Commons, we must believe, will nut take the slforaing CZiamicle's latest advice and " act on the offensive," but adopt the wiser suggestion otli2red a few weeks ago by our eon- temporary himself and, with mho other House. pass a bill to secure unquestioned publication of Parliamentary Papers discharging Ilassaun's claim, and gulpi:.g ;sown FerocKnar.e's insult.
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