Since it was carefully retained, it was certainly meant for use.

The door had been opened, but a stone was placed to block it.
Again, the continued burghership of the newcomers was made to depend upon the resolution of the first Raad, so that should the mining members propose any measure of reform, not only their Bill but they also might be swept out of the house by a Boer majority.

What could an Opposition do if a vote of the Government might at any moment unseat them all?
It was clear that a measure which contained such provisions must be very carefully sifted before a British Government could accept it as a final settlement and a complete concession of justice to its subjects.

On the other hand, it naturally felt loth to refuse those clauses which offered some prospect of an amelioration in their condition.

It took the course, therefore, of suggesting that each Government should appoint delegates to form a joint commission which should inquire into the working of the proposed Bill before it was put into a final form.