[378] One strange inconsistency in the conduct of the reformers of that generation deserves notice.

It never occurred to any one of those who were zealous for the Triennial Bill that every argument which could be urged in favour of that bill was an argument against the rules which had been framed in old times for the purpose of keeping parliamentary deliberations and divisions strictly secret.

It is quite natural that a government which withholds political privileges from the commonalty should withhold also political information.

But nothing can be more irrational than to give power, and not to give the knowledge without which there is the greatest risk that power will be abused.

What could be more absurd than to call constituent bodies frequently together that they might decide whether their representative had done his duty by them, and yet strictly to interdict them from learning, on trustworthy authority, what he had said or how he had voted?
The absurdity however appears to have passed altogether unchallenged.