A well meant but unskilful attempt had been made to complete a reform which the Bill of Rights had left imperfect.

That great law had deprived the Crown of the power of arbitrarily removing the judges, but had not made them entirely independent.

They were remunerated partly by fees and partly by salaries.

Over the fees the King had no control; but the salaries he had full power to reduce or to withhold.

That William had ever abused this power was not pretended; but it was undoubtedly a power which no prince ought to possess; and this was the sense of both Houses.