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    292 * THE LEADER. [Saturday,

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    Imperial Barltament. The Treat* With Sar...

    the abstract question of justice , which differences , he was sure , would not be found in the minds of the members of that House . Mr . Phinn accordingly withdrew his motion .

    PROMOTION BY PURCHASE . Major Reed moved for a select committee to inquire into the present mode of conferring appointments in the army ( by purchase or otherwise ) , and recommend a more efficient system for procuring promotion to merit and long services . He asserted that the regulation price was not adhered to in the purchase of commissions , but that the rule was systematically broken , and that the Horse Guards knew it . The whole system was most unjust to the private soldier and the poor officer , and very injurious to the service . As instances of the working of the present mode he mentioned the case of a soldier who had enlisted as a private thirty years ago , and who who had been

    was now only an ensign , while men but a short time in the service were placed over his head ; and of Lieutenant Magnay , an officer in the 60 th regiment , who had been served in the same way . He also alluded to an officer who had retired from the service hi disgust , and who stated that twothirds of the officers in the army are crushed beneath the weight of interest and money . This officer was willing to pay the regulation price for advancement ; but more was required of him . When , in June , 1854 , a general army promotion took place , 96 out of 130 officers then promoted were his juniors in point of service . This system did not exist in the French army ; and Mr . Alison , the historian , had pointed out excellent effects which the

    the difference , and the French plan produced . Major Reed , however , would not make all promotions from the ranks , but would establish a system of promotion by merit , also *—Captain Scobell , seconded the motion , and urged upon the house arguments to the same general effect as the preceding . — Mr . "VV . Williams advocated inquiry , either by a committee or a commission ; and Colonel Knox commented upon the promotions after the battle of Inkerman , when the staff officers promoted ( some of whom had not been under fire ) were fifty-four in number to only twenty-five regimental officers . —Mr . Laing regarded the system of promotion by purchase as opposed to every principle of common sense , and as limiting the higher posts in the army , in a great degree , to the wealthy part of the community . Our officers , though their bravery is

    unquestionable , partake , he said , rather of the amateur than of the professional character ; and he therefore thought that Government should make a comprehensive investigation of the whole of our military administration . —Mr . Lowe thought the committee ought to be granted . The system of purchase had its merits ; but its fault is that it substitutes for a criterion of merit a system in which merit is a mere accident . He saw no objection to promotion by seniority as far as the rank , of captain , but he suggested that all promotions above that rank should be considered as staff appointments in the patronage of the head ^ . of the army , on the condition that they should only be g ^ yen " to ^ fficeH '"'\ vh 6 ~ TMrd ~ b ^ n "'' p " ro- " moted for gallant " conduct in the field , or who had passed a proper examination . —Mr . Rich and Mr . P . O'Brien briefly spoke in favour of a committee .

    Colonel Haroouut defended the system of purchase upon the ground that we should have ensigns forty years old if we went upon the plan of promotion by merit ; and he denied that there was any hardship in non-commissioned officers not being made commissioned officers , ' since their social position would render elevation to the higher class undesirable . The present system could not be called bad after the results it had produced . He opposed the appointment of a committee , and recommended a commission . —Colonel Lindsay took a similar view . He contended that the present system was beneficial to the poor , by clearing the way for the private to arrive quickly at the top of the list , after which he can receive the first vacancy that occurs , bo promoted without purchase , and , having served twenty

    years , bo able to sell a commission which has cost him nothing . Instead of non-purchase scarcely ever taking place , it was of constant occurrence . ^ -Colonel North , in opposing the motion , said that very few officers in the French array rose from the lower classes , those who rise from the ranks being mainly young men of good family , who , having got into scrapes at the military college of St . Cyr , enlist in the army . — Lord Lovaink maintained that , our airmy having beaten every other , no case was made out against the present system ; and Lord Seymour did not see how promotion could go by merit , for who was to be the judge of merit?—Colonel Dunnb also spolco against any change in the existing state of things , not because he approved of purchase In the abstract , but because a large grant must bo proposed to purchase . out the officers who have bought their

    commissions , and lie believed no one was prepared to do that . Lord Palmerbton , in opposing the motion , went over much the same ground which he had traversed in replying , some weeks ago , to Lord Goderich ' s motion , if , he said , we were now for the first time

    fashioning our army , it would be madness to introduce the system of purchase ; but that system is now established , and those who denounce it shrink from suggesting a remedy . Practically , it has its advantages , though theoretically it may be false . Merit is a mere opinion ; so that the idea of adopting that as the criterion is perfectly Utopian . There are no such practical evils in the present system as to require the country to make a very great sacrifice to get rid of it ; but arrangements should be made for the more general instruction of regimental officers in'staff duties . The motion , moreover , was founded in the grave error of supposing the command of the army to be vested in the House of Commons , whereas it was in fact vested in the Crown ; and any inquiry should therefore be conducted by a commission emanating from the Crown . Reedwho

    After a brief reply from Major , proposed to leave out the latter part of the motion , _ the House divided , and there appeared—For the motion , 104 ; against , 70 ; majority , 34 . THE CHINA TRADE . Mr . Horsfall moved an address for copies of instructions to the British Superintendent of Trade in China , and of correspondence between her Majesty ' s Government and the Superintendent , having reference to the British trade in China , accompanying his motion by a statement of facts relating to certain securities for imperial duties taken by the British consul at Shanghai . —Lord Palmerston said that the question was one of a very complicated nature ; that the correspondence was still going on ; and that there would be no advantage in producing it in an imperfect state . The motion was accordingly withdrawn .

    BILLS OF EXCHANGE BILL . On the second reading of this bill , which originated in the House of Lords , being moved by Sir Erskine Perry , on Wednesday , Mr . Vance opposed the measure , arguing that it conferred an unjust and injurious precedence to the holders of the bills of exchange over all other creditors . The effect of the bill , he said , would be oppressive towards the debtor , and injurious towards the mercantile public generally , by limiting the _ employment of what is now a favourite species of commercial currency . He moved that the bill be read a second day that day six months ; an amendment whichr was seconded by Mr . Muntz . —Mr . Gurnet also denounced-the measure , which he said would overwhelm small and

    straggling dealers , by offering a premium upon harshness among creditors . —Sir Erskine Perry said the principle of the bill was the same as that of a measure which had worked well in Scotland ; but he was willing to refer it to a select committee . —Mr Napier , Mr . Mitchell , Mr . Baines , the Lord Advocate , Mr . T . Hankey , Mr . Keogh , and Mr . W . Brown , supported the bill , which was opposed by Mr . Spooner , Mr . Mukrough , and Mr . W . Williams . —A proposal by Mr . Baines , that the bill should be referred to a select committee , was supported by Mr . Carr . Glynn , Sir Frederick Tue-8 iOER , ~ Mr . Kkatino , the- Attorney-General , Mr . M'Mahon , and Mr . Sandars . — On the House dividing , the second reading was carried by 114 to 58 .

    UNION OF BENEFICES BILL . Mr . Frewen , in moving for the second reading of this bill , stated that its object w ^ s to prevent the consolidation of benefices for the advantage of the relatives and friends of nominees , mid also to enforce residence more completelj-. The bill was opposed by Mr . Cowper , who said it was undesirable to make changes unless a case of absolute necessity wero made out . In the absence of any such necessity , he moved as an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day six months . —On a division the bill was defeated by a majority of 112 to 30 . The Bill for the Vacating of Seats in Parliament was thrown out by 73 to 69 .

    In the House of Lords , on Thursday , the Intramural Burials ( Ireland ) Bill was read a second time , Earl Granvilie , who had charge of it , consenting to postpone the committee till after Easter , in order to meet the objection of the Bishop of Exeter , that no new places of burial were provided in place of those which were to bo shut up . —On the third reading of the Militia ( Ireland ) Bill being moved by Lord Panmure , Lord Wicklow objected to ihe haste with which the measure had been pressed forward , and the Earl of Ellenborouoii questioned various details , and enlarged on the desirability of regarding the Militia as a nursery for the Lino . After some discussion the third reading of the bill was postponed . —The Despatch of Business ( Court of Chancery ) Bill was read a third time and passed .

    THE BERNAL COLLECTION . In the House of Commons , in answer to Mr . Macartney , Mr . Wilson said , that it had been suggested to the Government that they should purchaso the whole of this collection . Upon consideration , however , they had determined that 12 , 000 / . should be given to tho Departmchtv Art and Scienc ' e for the purchaso of such portions of it as might bo necessary to complete their collection : and that 4000 / .

    should be . given to the British Museum for the same purpose . That was done upon authority vested in the Treasury and the Government by the House who placed annually at their disposal 100 , 000 / . for such objects .

    ADMIRAL DUNDAS AND ODESSA . Mr .. Francis Scott moved an " address for copies of the instructions relative to the attack on Odessa given to the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean and Black Seas ; and copies of , or extracts from , all correspondence relating thereto . " Mr . Scott was of opinion that Odessa should have been seized and occupied ; a course which would have rendered effective assistance to the Turks during the winter , and essential service to the Allies in the spring . The attack which had been made on the harbour and forts showed that the town might have been cap . tured by assault , and without the destruction of the town itself . Yet the Russians were left to repair the damage that had been inflicted ; and Mr . Scott therefore thought that , for the sake of Admiral Dundas

    himself , the country ought to be informed as to what were his instructions , and whether or not he had ample discretion . A grievous fault had been committed by somebody ; and the truth ought to be known . —Sir Charles Wood resisted the motion on the ground that the production of the papers would be dangerous , as disclosing the intentions of the Allies to the enemy . —Admiral Pechell said , that if the papers could be produced , they would show that the conduct of Admiral Dundas merited approval from all sides . —Mr . Stafford stated , from personal knowledge , that the Admiral courts and desires inquiry ; but that he is willing , if necessary , to submit in silence to any obloquy : conduct which contrasts strongly with the behaviour of another naval commander . —Lord Palmerston spoke highly of the talents of Admiral Dundas , and Mr . Scott consented to withdraw his motion ,

    THE CAVALRY CHARGE AT BALAKLAVA . The case of Lord Lucan was brought forward for another airing by Mr . Henry Berkeley moving " that an address be presented to her Majesty , praying that she will be graciously pleased to order that an inquiry by court-martial , be held on Lieutenant-General the Earl of Lucan , for ordering a charge of the light cavalry at the battle of Balaklava . " Mr . Berkeley said , he entertained no unfriendly feeling towards Lord Lucan ; - but he demanded inquiry into- his . conduct , and he thought , having had no experience in war , he should not have been placed in such a command . Lord LucanV aristocratic position had outweighed the well-fought

    fields of veterans over whose heads he was placed . — Lord Elcho , in seconding the motion , contended that Lord Lucan had no alternative but to obey the order which he received . He thought he was a grossly ill-used man ; and remarked that he had heard much about what Lord Raglan ' s order did nor mean , and should now like to be informed what it did mean . —The Judge-Advocate ( Mr . Villieus ) went over the same arguments urged by Lord Panmure , contending ~ , that . the . offence , ( if any . ) . had ^ been . condoned by subsequent employment , and that Lord Lucan could , if lie chose , have his remedy by preferring charges against Lord llaglan . —Mr . John Phillimore , Mr . Disraeli , Captain Bellew , Air . Evelyn Denison , and Lord Palmerston , spoke

    against the motion ; and Mr . French and Colonel Dunne in favour of Lord Lucan ; while Colonel Sidthorp , threw the House into roars of laughter by a perfectly irrelevant speech touching the " lioyal South Lincolnshire Militia , " of which he has the command , and of which " he ventured to say , that a finer body of men did not exist in the world . " Ho also begged to assure the Government and the Crown that he would go any lengths to keep the Royal South Lincolnshire Militia in the most efficient state ; and that nothing should be wanted in his purse or person to make them in every way worthy of the country . Being interrupted by cries of " Question ! " the Colonel observed that this was a military question , and ono that interested him more than any other . —Mr . Berkeley ultimately withdrew his motion . CHURCH RATES . Sir William Clay asked leave to introduce his bill for the abolition of church rates . In consequence of certain difficulties pointed out last year , he had added to liis bill provisions to remove the difficulties now existing in the way of voluntary contributions on the part of tlie members of tho Church of England for maintaining their churcn fubrics . He also proposed to give subscribers control over tho application of tho voluntary fund ,

    and to provide for tho ullotnicnt of free scats . -j Mr . Miall seconded the motion , which was opposed by Mr . Wioram on tho ground that it is unnecessary , as the House of Lords lias decided that no rate enn bo levied without a majority of tho rate-payers ngreoing . —Mr . Li . oyd Da vies , Mr . Bentinck , Air . DrummoKd . Mr . Packu , Colonel Surruop ( who saw England had bepn nearly ruined by Radicalism , ana who affirmed ho had but one desire , namely , " to sacrifice his life , if need be , in the service of his country h Mr . Floyer , Mr . Mowbjray , Mr . Henusy , ana

    292 * The Leader. [Saturday,

    292 * THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), March 31, 1855, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_31031855/page/4/