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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 35, 14 May 1881, Page 376

Then the contest took a new phase. The Grey party was ready enough to back up Mr. Ormond in his proposals for retrenchment, but it was not willing to go further. He and others would gladly have secured the co-operation of this compact and powerful party, but it was not to be done. Sir George preferred the Hall Ministry, whose weakness compelled it to pick up, shred by shred, and cany out his own liberal policy. His supporters declined, with him, to become tools for the occasion, and gave it to be plainly understood that they would, if necessary, change front and keep in the Hall Government until strong enough to secure a powerful voice in any new Ministry for themselves. This was a surprise and a disappointment to Mr. Ormond and his immediate backers ; but it must be borne in mind, if the tone and purport of his late speech are to be thoroughly understood, office became imjwssible for them, and without it they could not hope to attain their chief object, which was to get rid of taxation on property and throw the whole burden once more on the industry and labour of the people.