But there may
be some grounds for the alarmist views of Sir Edward Reed, and I see no
reason why his views should not receive prompt, candid, and independent
investigation. The officials may oppose such an investigation; but
officials are always optimists, and the cold draught of outside
criticism does them an immense deal of good.
[Sidenote: The Grand Old Chieftain and his tactics.]
At an early hour in the evening there was a very significant question,
and an equally significant answer. Sir Charles Dilke called attention,
with characteristic adroitness to a weapon which the Tories placed in
our hands for dealing with such an emergency as that by which we were at
the moment confronted. It was Lord Salisbury who made the most excellent
suggestion that when a Bill had gone through all its stages in one
Session of Parliament it should not be necessary to repeat the process
in the next, but that a mere resolution should bring the Bill once again
into the fulness of life. Would it not be possible for the Government,
asked Sir Charles, to adopt the proposal with regard to their measures?
The answer of the Old Man was cautious, vague, and dilatory.
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