The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-03-02 00:00:00

DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS

DORCHESTER, TUESDAY, MARCH 2,1858.

HONESTB AUDAX.

LORD PALMERSTON'S Ministry having tendered
their resignation to the QUEEN, the Earl of
DERBY was sent for by HER MAJESTY, and his
Lordship undertook to form a new Administra-
tion. On Monday evening Lord PALMERSTON
announced to the House of Commons the step
which he had taken, and the House adjourned
to Friday in order to give Lord DERBY time for
the completion of his arrangements. After an
ineffectual attempt to induce the Duke of NEW-
CASTLE, Mr. GLADSTONE, and Lord GREY to join
his Cabinet, Lord DERBY has fallen back upon
his own party, and has reconstructed the Admin-
istration of 1852. Mr. DisasELr returns to the
Chancellorship of the Exchequer, with the
leadership of the House of Commons; the Earl
of MALMESBURY returns to the Foreign Office;
Mr. WALPOLE again becomes Home Secretary ;
Mr. HENLEY resumes his old office as President
of the Board of Trade; and Lord Joan MAN-
NERS again becomes the Chief Commissioner of
Works. The Marquis of SALISBURY resumes
his seat as President of the Council, and Sir
JOHN PAHINGTON becomes First Lord of the
Admiralty, instead of returning to the Colonial
Office, which has been accepted by Lord
STANLEY. The Earl of ELLINBOROUGH reSIIIIIOS
the post which he formerly filled as President of
the Board of Control ; General PEEL enters the
Cabinet as Minister of War; and Sir FREDERICK
THESIGER becomes the Lord Chancellor of the
new Administration. With regard to the other
offices exterior to the Cabinet, Lord COLCHESTER
is ar pointed Postmaster-General; Mr. SOTHERON
EsTconwr, President of the Poor Law Board;
Sir F. KELLY, Attorney-General; and Mr.
CAIRNS, Solicitor-General. Lord DONOUGH-
MORE is appointed Vice-President of the Board
of Trade; Mr. CORRY, Secretary to the Admi-
ralty, and Mr. ADDERLEY, Vice-President of the
Education Board; while Mr. SEYMOUR FITZ-
GERALD, Mr. GATHORNE HARDY, Lord CAR-
NARVON, and Lord HARDINOK are appointed
Under Secretaries of State for the Foreign,
Home, Colonial, and War departments respec-
tively. Amongst the Irish appointments Lord
EcimwrouN again becomes Lord-Lieutenant,
with Lord Naas as Chief Secretary. At a
Privy Council held on Friday lest at Bucking-
ham Palace, the QUEEN delivered to the new
Ministers their seals of office; and at the meet-
ing of Parliament on the same evening the new
writs were moved for, and an adjournment took
place to yesterday, when a further adjournment
of 12 days took place to give time for the
elections.

Accounts have been received from Hong Kong
announcing that Commissioner Tali, the Tartar
General, and PEA-Kwai, the governor of the
city, were made prisoners near Canton on the
sth of January. Commissioner Yse was taken
in the disguise of a Coolie, and is now a prisoner
on board the Inflexible, off Tiger Island. Tele-
graphic despatches from India confirm the news
of Sir COLIN CAMPBELL'S capture of Furrticka-
bad and Futtyghur. The Doab has now been
cleared of the enemy, and, on the arrival of a
siege train from Agra, Sir ComN intended to
move with his whole force on Oude, in conjunc-
tion with JUNO BAHADOOR.

THE transition of power from the hands of
Lord PALMERSTON to those of Lord DERBY IS,
of course, just now the leading matter of discus-
sion amongst all politicians. The probable course
of the new Ministry, the influence and relative
ability of its members, its stability and duration,
are so many topics which have taxed the fertile
ingenuity of the press, and formed abundant
material for political gossip. The preponder-
ance of public opinion being favourable to
Liberalism, under some form or other, the woes-

' sion of a Tory Administration cannot fail to be
met by a corresponding degree of hostility arta
mistrust. It is observable, too, that the organs of
the Conservative party themselves are far indeed
from adopting that confident tone which would
at this juncture be certainly indulged if any-
thing like substantial, or even plausible, grounds
could be discerned for the justification of hope
an'd confidence. For aught we know, there may
I may he a stronger reason for hesitation on their
side than any that can be adduced from a
merely superficial view of the composition of the
Cabinet. It has been suggested by some tem-
perate and observing journals in the Liberal
interest that the fatale policy of Lord DERBY
may turn out to be framed far more in the spirit
of the times than is at this moment generally
supposed. Should this prove to be true, Toryism
will, of course, have received its final blow,
and the occupation of those who cling with
I desperate tenacity to the last shreds of that
once great party will be gone. The political
I inclinations of the country must then be contra-
distinguished by other terms than those of Whig
and Tory. But as to the actual policy of Lord
DERBY, all is uncertainty and whether one looks
at the prestige of the noble Lord, or at the
materials of which his Cabinet is composed,
there is without question a very prevalent mis-
giving as to the success with which he will be
able to administer the affairs of this great
country. For our own humble part we could
wish that it were otherwise—that is, that there
did really exist a political party, as such, which
could prove itself so worthy an antagonist to the
spirit of progress and the popular sentiment,
that these principles could come out of the con-
flict with equal honour and triumph. As mat-
ters stand, the Liberals, who have nothing in
common with the traditions of an antique and
expiring faction, have scarcely "a foeman worthy
of their steeL"

In reviewing the manner in which the resigna-
tion of the PALMERSTON Ministry has been
regarded with reference to the decision of the
House which precipitated their fall, we are of
opinion that the adherents of Lord PALMERSTON
have exhibited some unnecessary petulance and
rancour. Their charge is, that by the cunningly-
contrived tactics of Mr. Miami GIBSON and
his party votes have been entrapped from all
parts of the House; that by this clever combi-
nation of opinion a popular and powerful Ministry has been overturned. They add, that
the rashness of the movement is chastised by the
installation of a Tory Government, which
Government these writers proceed, with almost
unexampled vigour and determination, to cry
down, before the opportunity is given them of
uttering a syllable, either in defence of their
position or in explanation of the policy by which
they will be guided. We cannot look upon this
course as one worthy of a great party, or as
having its foundation in reason and fairness.
In the first place, we are decidedly among those
who believe that the majority in the division
which went against the Government were right
—who believe that the House of Commons did
perform what, under the circumstances, was an
imperative and indispensable duty. We last
week ventured to state our views on that ques-
tion, and we have seen nothing since which at all
tends to shake our conviction. Moreover, we
have good reason for thinking that the balance
of opinion in the country is undoubtedly com-
formable with the principle embodied in Mr.
MILNER GIBSON'S amendment, namely, that
before legislating in obedience to the suggestion
of France, and upon a matter on which, to say
the least, great diversity of opinion existed as to
the desirableness of legislating at all—a firm
and dignified, yet conciliatory answer should
have been given to what was, to all intents and
purposes, an intemperate and scandalous des-
patch. There can be little doubt that this was
really a serious omission on the part of the
Government ; but they determined to view the
opinion upon it, expressed by the House of
Commons, as having the force of a direct censure
of almost the gravest possible character, namely,
that the Ministers were about to surrender the
honour and independence of this country ; and
they contended, further, that the Conspiracy
Bill was at the same time repudiated and
overturned. It is not for us to examine very
closely into the punctilios which may influence a
Cabinet in the taking of so important a step as a
resignation, or to inquire whether no means
were open to the offended Ministry to repair
their fault, and proceed to the remedying of any
proved defects in the law, without the violent
change and interruption to public business which
necessarily follow the abandonment of their
functions. But that there has been undue pre-
cipitation in rushing to this alternative it is
pretty clear seeing that the Government
measure itself was altogether unaffected by the
division which took place, on a matter which was
urged as avowedly preliminary to, and inde-
pendent of, the Bill itself; and seeing, too, that
it was quite competent to the House, after the
division in this matter, to proceed with the
Bill.

But what strikes us at this moment very
forcibly is, the obvious unfairness and argu-
mentative weakness, as it appears to us, on the
part of many reputable journals, in denounc-
ing, on the one hand, the vote of the House of
Commons, principally on account of the results
to which it has led ; and on the other, the
abuse and disparagement of Lord DERBY, not-
withstanding the avowed weakness of his party,
for a supposed complicity in Mr. MILNER
GIBSON'S designs, with the settled purpose of
seizing the reins of Government. There is little
in these arguments that is worthy of respect.
It is well understood that the Government has
rather fallen into the hands of Lord DERBY,
than that it has been viotentty seized by him.
The QUEEN appears to have had no alternative
but "to send for his Lordship ;" at all events,
HER MAJESTY was left to make her election
without a word of advice as to his successor from
the out-going Premier ; and the Sovereign's
choice, under the circumstances, seemed to admit
of no resistance. We are compelled to think,
then, that the tone of a large portion of the
Press, just now adopted towards Lord DERBY, is
a little hasty and ungenerous—conduct which
ought to be avoided by a powerful party, even
in the case of a political opponent, who, in-
dividually, as such, is by no means to be des-
pised. With regard to the majority in the late
division, they simply asserted a great principle,
and manfully upheld the character and reputa-
tion of the country—certainly without designing,
and apparently without at all forseeing, the
implacable resentment of the Government. We
can only say we are sorry to see Lord PAL-
MERSTON out; but it is his own choice ; and if
at any time it should happen that the liberties
of this country stand in need of vindication, and
that that vindication should carry with it a
rebuke of Ministerial laxity or oversight, we
should certainly lean to the jealous vigilance
of the honour of England rather than pause
to consider the possible captiousness of a popu-
lar Minister, and the temporary inconvenience
of the accession to power of a possibly-inefficient
and luckless Administration.

DORCHESTER PTTCHED CORN MARKET, Saturday.
—There was a good supply of wheat on show to-day.
The demand ruled slow at a decline of about is. per
quarter, neither millers nor dealers showing any dis-
position to purchase more than for immediate use.
Barley and oats, for seed, in demand at full rates.
THE APPROACHLVO MMUS. —The Spring Assize
Court will be opened on Saturday afternoon at the
Shirehall, and the Judges on this circuit are Sir R.
B. Crowder and Sir J. S. Wiles, Knights. The
calendar contains the names of 21 prisoners, and 3
on bail, besides the two lads detained for want of
sureties in the Portland shooting case. The offences
are—stealing, 13; uttering forged notes, 3; assault
with intent, 2; shooting, 2; obtaining money by
false pretences, 2; stabbing, 1; beastiahty, 1.
DORCHESTER BRTTISH SCHOOL.—Au ACCOtMt of
the annual examination of this school will be found
in our third page.

SLEEP AND Deksma-:Dri lines-lay evening the
Hey. .1. Cheney, Independent minister, of Portland,
delivered a lecture at ths Townludl, in connection
with the Dorchester Woking Men's Mutual Im-
provement Society, on "Sep and Dreams." Henry
Lock, Esq., presided, and the attendance was pretty
rd„fl-
LEIN MARCH RAILWAY TIME TAOLlB.—Several
alterations are made this month in the local time
bills, to which the attention of travellers is directed.
A recent arrangement of the South-Western Com-
pany enables third-class pasasngers, leaving Dorches-
ter at 8.40 a.m., or Weymotth at 8.20 am, to reach
London at 2.30 p.m. on week-days.
. _

Dom:loon AUDITOBIL—The annual election of two
audit Ors and two aasessors for the orough of Dor-
chester took place yesterday morning in the Council
Chamber, before his WorshipMe Mayor, W. Manfield,
Esq. The retiring assessors were Messrs. Fitch and
John Legg, and the auditow, Messrs. Jacobs and
Troves. Messrs. George Hawkins and Joseph E.
Morgan were elected auditors; and Messrs. Joseph
Hansford, jun., and William Jacobs were elected
assessors for the ensuing year.
The Queen's dinner party on Friday evening
included the Earl and Countess of Shaftesbury.
CAUTION TO TRADEBMISN. —We are requested to
call the attention of tradesmes and others, to scam-
pany of " smashers° who hare been passing counter-
feit coin, and forged cheques in neighbouring places
of late.

-
NORTH WILTS ELsorton.—A new writ has been
ordered for North Wilts, on account of Mr. Sotheron
Estcourt's acceptance of the office of President of the
Poor Law Board.

NEW ADMINISTEATtONS. —the following is a list
of the Administrations, Whig and Tory, whioh have
held office in England since the year 1830, with the
dates of their installation and dissolution, viz. :
Earl Grey's Administration, 1830-34; Viscount
Melbourne's (first), 1834; Sir Robert Peel's (first),
1834-35; Viscount Melbourne's (second), 1835-1841;
Sir R. Peel's (second), 1841-46; Lord J. Russell's
1846-52; Earl of Derby's (first), 1832; Earl of
Aberdeen's, 1853-55; Viscount Palmerston's, 1855-
58. The outgoing Ministry has held offioe just three
years. Lord John Russell retained the reins of
power nearly six years, and Sir Robert Peel about
five. The last Tory Ministry under Lord Derby was
not in office a twelvemonth.

SUFERANNVATION ALLOWANCES FOR THE POLICE.
—An effort is being made to eetablish, under legisla-
tive sanction, a fund to provide superannuation al-
lowances for old and meritorious officers of police in
the boroughs of the United Kingdom, in a similar
manner to the provision already made in the case of
the police force of the metropolis. The three in-
spectors of police, Colonel Woodford, Major Cart-
wright, and Captain Willis. have expressed their
cordial approval of this effort, and their readiness
to aid it.

OPIUM TRAMC.—The following letter, with re-
ference to a late meeting at the Guildhall, Bath,
on thia subject has been received by Mr. Alderman
Hunt :

Howse of Lords, Feb. 15, 11158.
Dear Mr. Hunt,—The subject of the opium traffic is one to
which I have given much attention, and which I regard with
great abhorrence. I shall not fall to present the petition that
the meeting at Bath has done me the honour to entrust to my
care. I am much gratified by your kind expressions of ap-
proval of my public conduct. It gives me real pleasure to re-
ceive, from yottraelf personally, and from my old and respected
constituents, so friendly • testimony.
Faithfully yours, Sasnsestnty.
W. Hunt, Esq.

BOROUGH POLICE COURT, Townhall, Monday, March 1.
(Before William Mantleld, Esq., Mayor.) A tramp
named Janes Penjold, was brought up in custody of P.C.
Vateher, having been found in an outhouse at Fording-
ton, very early on Sunday morning. The officer stated
that on taking the prisoner to the lockup he found seve-
ral wires and nets, as well as about 15s. in money, upon
him. On being asked to give an account of himself, the
prisoner said he had relatives at Upwey and Southampton,
and was sleeping in the outhouse, after having had ensue
drink, in order to save his money which had been given
him by his brother, that he (prisoner) might visit the
father, who was ill at Southampton. Committed to the
House of Correction for one week's hard labour as a
rogue and vagabond.