"no one but a very rich and ambitious man would venture to come forward
as a candidate there." It offers, however, a splendid chance for a
Socialist who can make unlimited promises as to the benefits that he and
his friends could confer by taking the money of other people and
distributing it in a liberal spirit. As for X., we must see that talents
so pre-eminent are not lost to the State, and if no Ministerial office
is vacant we must create one, and ask no questions as to its cost or the
nature of its operations.

Could these claims on the purse as a condition in the selection of
candidates be prevented, a great step would be taken towards purifying
political life. If the question were resolutely faced, the abuse could
be stopped. The late Lord James, when in charge of the Corrupt Practices
Bill, was told that the stringent clause limiting election expenses
would wreck his scheme. He persisted, and afterwards said that it was
that clause which did most to help the Bill through, because so many
country gentlemen who had suffered through agricultural depression gave
it their hearty support as affording a means of freeing them from the
extortionate claims of a set of persons who used an election to obtain
money for imaginary services to the unfortunate candidates.

To read in the various biographical memoirs and reminiscences which have
been published during the last twenty years how Cabinets have been put
together, may amuse the cynical and evoke interest in those who watch
politics as a game, but is painful to the citizen who wishes to see the
country well governed, and who suffers if it is not. Sometimes, indeed,
the formation of a Ministry seems more like the distribution of loot
among successful campaigners, or a tactical disposition of the officers
for continuing a contest than the provision of the best means and
selection of the best men for each part of the work of governing the
country.

In spite, however, of some glaring instances where such appointments
have led to disaster or serious loss, the result has, on the whole, been
not so bad as might have been expected. Those who have won their way in
the open conflicts in Parliament and the country have been men who have
played a fair game according to the rules. Their personal characters
have stood high. Dishonourable action has been rare, almost unknown. As
a rule, the abilities of those called to the Front Bench have probably
been rather above the average amon