The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5205, 22 September 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1885.

The usual rush, bustle, and confusion attending the last days of a session have come and gone, and the little things going were scrambled for very energetically. Among the measures which were left late in the day to be dealt with, was the District Kail way a Purchasing Bill, which was severely spoken of in the House, and doubtless Tery deservedly so. Worthless lines made by companies and syndicates, in some cases with money borrowed almost on the sole security of Government guarantee, are to become the property of the colony- One line on which it was stated there were only two trains running a week, and those did not pay, is an instance of the iniquitous nature of the measure, or perhaps it would be more correct to say the wrong uses to which it maybe applied, and there is little doubt that such an Act offers too many temptations to Governments to secure support, and to members to part with their.independence of action unworthily. While discussing the bill in question, some very unseemly behaviour was indulged in by more than one member of the House, Bnd elegant language was freely and frequently usedThe chief offenders were members from which such things are not generally unexpected. It is not particularly astonish* ing to bear such phrases as " railway Thugs" applied to shareholders in a railway company from such a member as | Mr George Fisher, who represents South \ Wellington; nor is it really very surprising to read of that urbane gentleman asserting that certain members of the Bouse were returned for the purpose of supporting the measure, and of his accusing Government with " whipping up member*" to vote for this line being ! included in the Hat of those to be secured by the Government j and eyen allowing that the Chesterfieldian Levestam did poj; astonish*many when be accused the gentle Fisher with prostituting bis political reputation to bis vanity, and remarked that the latter named would not say outside what be did in the House—fo? which Nelson's choice had to apologise by order •f the Speajfe^'p-it still remains a matter for regret that the tone of ojjr Parliament should be lowered by the vulgarity of any of its members. The contemplation of the fact that Gaunsoncupi Mirams-cum-McKean-fium-Berry»cum*Sjnith scenes take place with monotonous frequency in the Victorian Assembly should pause our unruly or ignorant legislators to Jake

warning by the shocking example before them, and avoid straying in such paths in our own House. Where those losses of dignity are known, and little pleasantries shown, we fear that good and useful legislation will be somewhat retarded by such boorishness as that referred to, beinj» displayed. We would earnestly hope that for the sake of the honor of the colony which they hare, to a limited extent fortunately, been made custodians of, those members inclined to indulge in outbursts such as those chronicled, will, in the future, so far as their light will allow them, place a curb upon their natures, and while in peaceful numbers doing their duty to their constituents, they will as nearly as possible maintain the dignity which their positions demand.