The Globe. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1876.

Globe, Volume VI, Issue 699, 15 September 1876, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1876.

The discussion whicli took place in the House on Wednesday evening over Mr Montgomery’s Disqualification Amendment Bill was in many respects interesting, and the large majority by which the second reading was carried, most creditable to the members. Its provisions are briefly as follows: It provides that if any person shall, while he is a member of the Assembly, or within twelve months after ceasing to be suck a member, accept any office or place of profit under the Crown, he shall forfeit the sum of fifty pounds per week for every week he shall hold such office or place. Exception, of course, is made in favor of the offices of Ministers of the Crown, Speakerships of the two Houses, Chairmanships of Committees or Public Petitions Committees, or the office of Judge of the Supreme Court or of the Agent-Generalship of the Colony. Should this Bill become law a serious blow will be struck at the existence of that race of politicians, unfortunately to© well known in these colonies —political loafers. During the debate which took place, it was urged by some of the speakers, that the passing of the Act would cast a slur upon the honour of the House, and they were asked to raise unnecessary barriers for the protection of their own party. On the other hand, it was maintained that it was not legislation levelled at an imaginary evil. More than one honourable member stated that bis influence had been solicited by others who occupied seats in the House to secure some coveted office, and it is a well understood fact that frequent pressure is brought to bear on Ministers by needy members, anxious to retire from the political arena into some snug office. Such an Act, were it passed, would no doubt greatly relieve Ministers from the pressure brought to bear upon them, and protect them from the importunity of office seekers. But it would have its drawbacks also. His appointment to a lucrative post has frequently been the easiest way of getting rid of a troublesome opponent, but under the proposed Act the list of such offices is so restricted as to virtually put an end to such a course in future. Ho matter how obnoxious he may prove himself to be, it will be impossible to get him out of the way till he ceases to be a member of the House for twelve months. There are few men we think who ' would, under the circumstances, accept a verbal promise at such a date, from any Ministry, however powerful it might be. It would therefore be equally useless either to support or oppose the Government of

the day from paltry and selfish motives. In course of time the tone of the House would be materially raised. We would have members returned who were actuated by a desire to forward the interests of their districts and the colony at large; instead of looking after their own personal advancement. The higher prizes, which ought to be the object of honourable ambition to any public man, would still remain open to men of ability; but, when it was found that the House of Eepresentatives was no longer the easy road to comfortable billets, it would be speedily cleared of a class of representatives unworthy of the House and the country.