The Express.
London, England, 1855-06-16 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, JUNE 16, 1855.

war, ►e loped the noble lord would state that he woe aet
Woad by say stipulation side is February last, an was
free, sosjasetion with ow' allies, to deal with ,had
say
la the usenet which circurnstancse shield for 0"
wpm of semen to the cowatry a sate sad honourable

if the house Gould remove the neomeity for that sem
'taloa they would do emeatial SerriOS to the country.
Notice had been gives of =other amendment to his mo-
tion ; would it did not thea appear oa the paper he sup-
posed it not be moved, but it was mere repetition
hikis folios. He wished to say a word with regard to
s reoolution. He had been accused of altering and
amending it ; but he believed that was not substantially
the case. though it was not now in the shape which it was
W intention originally to have moved it. He had
Only cut off a phrase having reference to the prose-
eat= of the leer, which was now unnecessary after
the motion of the tight bon. gentleman (Mr. Du-
Mall, aid some other words which were only words of
reeital, but the essence of the motian was retained. There
Mere three propositions in his motion, as bet had already
stoned, sad he would endeavour to substantiate each of them.
Be would first take the point relating to the state of the
=don. He had heard it said that that part of the motion
wee se longer necessary, because of the successes which had
bees recently achieved, and that the reference to the state
Otto nation was applicable only to the war. He denied that
sash was his intention. He rant to refer only to -be
woe; he looked to the Crimea as an epiemle, to the misfor-
tune. which bad occurred as witnesses, and the Blue Books
am evidione ; but that was only a small part of the question
whisk he proposed to bring before the house. He did not
mesa that the Blue Books should be • dead latter, for
that he should consider a great disgrace, and he
hoped that the Blue Books would be the basi,
of his motion. What he meant by the s ate
of the nation was that the county was distrustful of perils.
msMe and had lost its confidence in public men : it believed
tinttlae were defects In our administrative system. sad
1111.11111..• defects ought to be :unwed ; that the govern-
Mittebad become a class monopoly ; that the recent changes
the gewerament only showed that that mnopoly did not
pia ant oir the bands of a few families ; that government
did ant efffelently represent the feeling of the country at
Yip. They bad seen a liberal government voting spit=
Mg liberal measure ; there was scarcely a liberal
theism* during the erasion in which the govern-
ing= left not found in the same lobby with gen-
tlemen opposite, sad therefore opposed to those who
ware on the liberal side. The country saw those
who had hitherto been leaders of the people and the reps.-
enstatives of popular °pintos@ absorbed in the government,
sad mute and silent on questions connected with the spin-
iness of which they were once the advocates. (Hear, hear.)
Wee it, then, astonishiag that the confidence of the people
should waver, and atter they had been so often betrayed no
aft mid he surprised that they should no longer give their
ereniffleace to thus who had betrayed them ? The country
thOwilltt that officers in the public service were underpaid
and neglected; and under all these circumstances be
mold ask, was not the state of the nation alarm
fg. and was it not giving rise to • feeling which
might become dangerous ? He woola now turn to the
Wee branches of the public service : the army, to which
were confided the honour and the defence of the country ;
diplomacy, to which was confided the conduct of foreign
affairs ; and the civil Service, to which was confided the con-
duct of our national affairs. He would begin with the army.
It was a diffi.ult and delicate question, as fir as be was con-
sented. Hon. gentlemen were indignant that a civilian
should touch the army. But, let him ask those gentle-
ales, could any one but • civilian touch the army ?
(Hear.) Military men dared not touch it. No doubt
he might be led into errors in dealing with the subject.
The rules and regulations of the army bad for some time
been the subject of much study to him ; yet still he might
fall into error. Many, even eminent military men, were
ignorant of the meaning, the application, and even of the
existence of those rules. There was a large power in that
house representing the army. He held in his hand a
letter from an officer of rank in the army, whom ha
would not name, which so fully expressed hie feelings
and the real state of the cue, that ha would read it :
A civilian, undertaking, as you have dons, to attack mili-
tary abuses so deeply rooted, and of such long standing as
those which disgrace our service, is (as you very justly
remark) placed in a particularly dinkiest position; for, nn
acquainted as you, perhaps, are with ell the minor details
and intricacies which sometimes even pulls professi-nal
mem, you are not able to receive open assistance and evi-
dence, which would probably be the ruin of any military
man who might volunteer to enact ,uch a Curti= ' part ;
and many a man who might be indifferent to the conse-
quent..s as regarded himself, might feel 'fru to sacrifice
Site pro‘pects of some near relation, who might either be, or
intended to be, in the military profession, and whose future
rapists might thus be prom a ly blighted is the bud.
Then, again, yon will have against you all those military
men of family connexion, and great interest, who having
profited by a corrupt system, will strenuously oppose any
reform or i lion in the fame. All these circumstances
combined render your task one of no ordinary difficulty ;
still I would not despair, for you have not only the spirit
of the times and public opinion in your favour, but also all
that hard-working and ill-rewarded portion of the army
who have not sufficient interest or family connexions to
push them unfairly forwards—all such, if they dare not
openly applaud, will look with secret pleasure on your un-
dertaking, and, I em sure, back it indirectly by any means
which will not bring them under the influence of that
inquisitorial tribunal which can more or leas influence
the fortunes of nearly every officer in the service, what-
ever may be his merits, in the same manner that it
can by its fiat place man, most unfitted, in the
highest and moat responsible situations, which has
unfortunately of late been so fully and fatally proved."
He believed those words contained that which amounted to
the whole truth. He had another letter, written by a gal-
lant officer whose name be was allowed to mention—via.,
Be William Napier. He (Mr. Layard) bad spared no pains
lle go to the beat authorities before he touched on this ques-
tion, and among others to Sir W. Napier. who wrote thus :
"The questions of promotion from merit and pro.notion
from favouritism I have examined carefully, thinking
the latter an inevitable cdasrquencer of human selfishness,
and the former impossible to solve, except in a few instances.
With respect to favouritism generally, however, it certainly
pervades the British army to an inordinate degree, seeing
that no officer of high or low rank, so man below the rank
dila officer, no civilian related to or interested for an officer
by nlationiltip or friendship, or seeking himself to enter
es army, but whose fleet thought and immediate course is
met very vehemently to beseech some person privately to
nee influence to obtain by favour what is sought for, the
ifiversal constant prayer is, 'Let me have your inn-
s= ?' Bountiful., indeed, some poor forlorn officer
merely states hie long and arduous services, his wounds,
=I the number of his relations who have died in action;
hat this only to sway the influential person addressed, not
astounds for acceding to his claim. Why is this Surely
bosun the abeolate smithy of private interests, apart
dram merit, is universally felt to be dominant. Your pur-
pose is to bring public opinion to bear on this system so
strongly, that an amelioration must take place, and I for
one will not shrink from cheering you on in such a patriotic
mares. But while Idoso on general principles, it would be
=generous, ungrateful, and unjust, not to state that I have
made, I may say, hundred of applications, for officers
nod soldiers, who have only their services to recommend
Hem—favour without service I never asked for—and, while
Lad Raglan we Military Secretary in no instance did I
ever fail of success (cheers), nor have I is the very few oases
which I have brought before Gen. Yorke, the Military Sure•
levy, found the least backwardness to aid deserving man."
(Cheers.) He (Mr. Layard), if he were not himself ad-
dressing the house, would join in the cheer with which the
house greeted that sentiment of Sir Wm. Napier's ; but the
very fact which Sir Wm. Napier stated as to the manner in
which his recommendations had been received was en
argument in support of his (Mr. Layard's) cue. Sir Wm.
Napier was &great military authority; he had access to the
Horse Guards, and could recommend persons there. For-
tunately he was a man whose soul abhorred everything like
a job, and would recommend no man who was not worthy
of the promotion he sought for. If every. promotion were
given in the same way, he (Mr. 'Aura) would not com-
plain. If he saw, who a may had been placed tiny the
=ads of other officers, a record inserted in a book at the
Horse Guards, that he was so promoted at the recommenda-
tion of Sir William Napier, or Sir De Lacy Evans, or say
men equally distinguished and ego slly pure, he (Mr.
Lapsed) would net doubt the propriety of the appointment.
It was not such recommendations he complained of. But
there was • curious word which occurred in the regulations
"prescribed for the very commencement of every msn's
career in the army. The regulations stated that all re-
oessmendations for commissions were "to certify the
eligibility of the person recommended, is education, ohs-
muter, and a-nue:ions." Now he (Mr. Leyard) did not
sadentend what was the meaning of the word 6411-
=lions," unless it were that the man was related to certain
parsons. (Murmurs.) If hon. and gallant gentlemen
would explain what it meant, he should be glad of
lastruetion. Now, before going into the cases which he
bad to mention, he must appeal to the indulgence of the
house whilst he said • few words on a personal matter. The
house had probably not forgotten what passed some time
ego with rep ird to Colonel Hardline. (Hear, hear.) Until
He present moment he (Mr. Lewd) bad not had it in his
power to explain himself fully upon that suojece. But the
reasons which had prevented him now no loner existed.
Coifed Wilson rad retired from her Majesty's service. The
eesatry had lost an excellent officer, who distinguished him-
self se much aa, if n• .t more then, any at Inkermann, where
he was in the very th ckest of the fight. The miss of Cola
sal Wilson idustrated the argument ; and he (Mr. Loran)
would reiest the facts, so far as he had been
able to ascertain them by the most careful in-
quiries. He would
the House of Commons in any way, and although he had
been told that he might here maks out a very good case if
th:incpto chose,
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house might always rely upon it, that if ever he stated a
thing be did el bemuse he believed it to be true, and that
when he was shown to be wrong he would fairly and can-
didly avow it ; but there were momenta when a man was
driven into a corner, and so bard pressed that his pride
would revolt from retracting the statement he had made.
He (Mr. Inlaid) could only assure the bout, how-
ever, that he was not satisfied on that evening,
mwhentich hethe handous:adwooawidas recollect,
jthaantal thef hestartee:
fused to retract it thee it was nzi
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)d,hiaentinNgrederosafewu becauseats refused,
teswar,hedfbtoouribeteehiirettet
aTanderowewneraebothyreeteboilliasoses, otherw ihfito
cewerrofusloinoewlserinnauthe GaTardaber,
were killed in action, sad the three below them was =-
titled to the mention' opened by their dist= Two of
- •

peace.
Lord PALMERSTON—However Patera' may bethe
desire of the boa. gentlemen to :obtaia • fall sapiens-
lion of the matter to which his question relates, 1
am meatiest that the house will concur with me in
thinking that it would be exceedingly inconvenient for
me to ester into such an ezplanation. (Hear, heir.) All I
can state is this, end nesse it will be thought sufficient
by the hes. member and the house—My right hoe. friends
who have lately ceased to be members of the government,
when omaidering the proposition made to them by me to
form • part of the government, very naturally and properly
wished to have • clear understanding beforehand on certain
points on which it was possible a difference of opinion
might afterwards arise. In doing so they did only that
which was due to themselves and to me. On one point they
required explanation, and that point was whether it woo
the intention of the government then Win formed to make
• particular demand on Russia, • sine quo non in the
coadi.ions of peace. I stated that I thought that
this country was not then in a condition to de-
mand that point, as • sins gm non, and that
I hid no intention of making each a demand. Of courts,
all conditions of peace promoted by Ragland and France
through Austria depended on the events of the war, and
though at one time the country may aot have been in • con-
dition to be entitled to demand that condition, it is one
which it may become entitled to ask. (Hear, hear.) I
hope I have said sufficient to satisfy the house, and I do not
think I can with propriety say more.
Mr. DISRAELI—There can be no doubt of the impor-
tance of • government having • frank and free understand-
ing agues its members, aad the house has no right to re-
quire more than an azpoeition of the main principles on
which It is formed ; and the house can have no right to
inquire as to any conditions made among the members of
the government themselves. But when in a debate of the
magnitude of that which has recently taken plats, • member
of the government refers specifically to a stipulation made
between certain right hon. gentlemen and the noble lord,
the government ought not to be surprised at questions sue\
as that of the hon. gentleman being put to them, which le
quite a parliamentary and constitutional question. lam
not sure that the tone of the noble lord did not imply that
the inquiry was an improper one, but, on the contrary, I
think it a parliamentary and constitutional questing, and,
under the circumstances, the noble lord and the right hon.
gentlemen must h peeled some such inquiries.
Mr. GLADSTONE—After invoking your protection and
mistime, sir, against the language used towards me by the
hen. gentleman, which I may say I do not think he aban-
doned eo completely as he might have dons, I must, in
justice to him, say that I concur with the right hon. gentle-
man (Mr. Disraeli), and that the hon. gentleman is not so
much to blame for putting the question. Ia a matter of
this kind one of two courses should be pursued. The House
of Commons ought to know nothing or everything. As far
as my personal feeling goes, I cannot but desire that the
noble lord, if he felt it consistent with his public duty,
should, after the reference which has been made to this
subject, have gone onwards and given the whole of the in-
formation cenncctei with the subject; for lam sure that
partial revelations made up to a certain point, and
then broken off as if from an official sense of
ditty, are mischievous to all parties concerned.
I regret the position in which the matter has been left, yet
lem in no condition to press it beyond the expression of
my wish and desire. As regards myself, and I do not speak
for any one else, I can state that I am not aware that at any
time, directly or indirectly, there was put, either by myself
or any tile acting for me at the time that the government
was being re-formed, any question by which It was intended
to anticipate the terms of any treaty with Reseda; and for
this plain reason, that I was not aware of any difference of
opinion with regard to the terms on which it was fitting
that negotiations should be entered into, or that there was
any likelihood that such a difference of opinion
could arise. In this I am speaking only for myself,
and I can say that I was no party to any question of the
kind. Ido not make any assertion on behalf of my right
hos. friend (Sir .1. Graham), and it is for him to state the
part he took in the matter. I can only say that nothing
occurred to me with reference to any terms or stipulation or
condition with Russia. I have thus stated briefly my part
in the matter, sad I can only regret the position in which
it steads. As nothing took place between my noble friend
and myself but what was honourable, frank, and straight-
forward, I wish it had been possible to make known all the
particulars of what occurred.
The motion for the adjournment of the house to Monday
then agreed to.

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM.
The orders of the day having been postponed,
Mr. LAYARD rose to bring forward the motion of which
be had given notice: "That this home views with deep and
increasing concern the state of the nation, and is of opinion
that the manner in which merit and efficiency have been
sacrificed, is public appointments, to party and family in-
firmness, and to a blind adherence to routine, has given rise
to great misfortunes, and threats.. to bring discredit
upon the national charieter, and to involve the
country in grave disasters." Having presented petitions
from Aylesbury and Rochdale is favour of his
motion, the latter being also in favour of a yiga
roue prosecution of the war, the hon. gentleman
proceeded to say that he :must ask the indulganee
of the house in bringing forward the motion of which he
had given notice. In the first place, he was afraid he
should have to detain the house for some time; and, se-
condly, the question was one which might give rise to feel.
ings of irritation among members of the house. Hs
wished to treat the question moderately, and he should
quote the authorities of other persons much more than be
should deliver his own opinions. The question was fag
too important a one for him to treat it by appealing te
passion or prejudice. He had not the power as
the eloquence successfully to pursue that mans s
but, if he had, it was his wish to confine him-
self to a plain straightforward statement. It could
not be denied that there must be something wrong in the
administrative system of this country, and that it could
only be remedied by some kind of pressure from without.
(Murmurs.) He stated this to be the feeling which existed
oat of doors. Was that the ease or was it not) He should I
endeavour as concisely as possible to state the ground on
which he believed the people had come to that conclusion,
and it would be for the government to show whether those
grounds were just or not, and whether that conclusion was
a true one or not. It would rest with the gentlemen in
that house who represented the various branches of the
public service, who would address the house that evening,
to show that the public were not justified in the opinion
they had formed. He would endeavour not to hurt the feel
legs of any one in the house, sad he treated they would
allow him to say what he thou/ch. in this matter without
attributing to him any ;ersonal feeling. He was influenced
only by the moat sincere and the deepest conviction in the
course he was takiog,and all he sestet or desired was to come
at the truth. It the hon. member for Weymouth was in
the house, he hoped that he would rise and contradict him
if he stated what was not true. The resolution which he
was about to move contained three distinct propositions. In
the first place, it stated that the house viewed with deep
concern the state of the nation ; then came the part in which
was stated to what be attributed the feeling of the nation ;
and, thirdly, It stated the consequences which would
if the present state of things continued
in form. To that an amendment was to he
moved by his hon. friend—if he would permit him to call
him—the hon. baronet the member for Hertfordshire. Sores
little time ago, and due he had given his notice of mutton,
a noble lord brought on a motion in another assembly simihs
to his (Mr. Lipid's). He looked on the amendment to be
proposed by his hon. friend that night to be somewhat cf
the nature of the motion of the noble lord. The noble lord
MI shaped his motion so as to make it more palatable to the
delesbly he was to address, and he believed that his hon.
friend was actuated by the same feeling in shaping his
amendment. As the Italian poet said, he anointed the
edge of the jar in order to induce his friends
to swallow the dose. He (Mr. Layard) believed
that there was danger to the country Ia not calling thioge
by their right names. Another danger existed in too great
respect being paid to personal and private feelings. (Mar.
man.) That feeling might be very right and proper is
private matters, but there were times when there were far
greater considerations than prints feelings, end a too great
regard for private feelings might involve a neglaet
of public duty. The house was swan that a large
aredation had been formed with reference to this gentles.
That association consisted of a number of min of wealth,
talent, and enterprise, vermeils, a large class of persons is
the country. That association believed that it was recog-
nised by the country, and it was determined to act
up to the opinions which had been stated in its address, and

these °Seers were not for purchase, and they were pro- , charge of the duties inipossd upon the oseemander ; but if ,
moted. The third officer, Colonel Wilms, was for purchase, I this be true in the navy, in which, though the responsibility
although his money indent been lodged. Col. Mackinnon, and risk to life be increased is war, yet there is little addi-
ng, third of thine who were killed, had purchased his tional fatigue or privations ausparstively, beyond whet is
seassission, but had not heard of the commission being put, encountered in peace. how much more is it true in the case
shined at the time of his death. It appeared now that of land service, where immense distances have to be tea-
there was a regulation, which Colonel Wilson was not aware ' Tined over unknown and difficult ground, where the gene-
of, I.or was say other officer whom he (Mr. Lsyard) ern- ral must necessarily spend deys tegether in the saddle,
salted, by which, under thou circumstances, Colonel Wil- visiting, as he must do, all puts of an extended lice of ope-
sen'a friends in this country were obliged to purchase his 'rations, where the moat opposite reports have to be balanced
commission, whilst he was ill in the boepital at &uteri. and decided, when the most elaborate combinations must
Colonel Wilson certainly thought be might have been in- ibe rapidly conceived and executed, in order to move
formed of that regulation, and might have had the option and feed vest bodies of men in an unwilling or hostile
of purchasing or nut ; but that courtesy wall not shown to country, te find means of transport for supplies of provi
him. It did, however, appear that the rule had, in that Mona and ammunition, to provide for the sick, to create, in
instance, been strictly complied with. (Hear, hoar.) There short, with such materials as may be found, an organise&
was also the ease of Colonel Crombie, whom he tion any failure in which may result in a terrible sacrifice of
(Mr. Loused) stated the other night to have been human life, end may, in the most critical moment, beffie the
made to sell out, without knowing it himself, hest combinations. That labours such as these must require
until he was surprised by seeing it announced in the not only the exercise of faculties of the highest order,
Gazette. Now, Ire all that he (Mr. Lapsed) stated about but physical strength, sad powers of endurance which shall
this ease, he had what he considered to be the very beet keep those faculties unimpaired by bodily fatigue and pries •
authority and proof in writing. He was quite willing now Son. is too obvious to be disputed. . . . . The bresk-
to admit that he was wrong, and that there was nothing ing out of a war, of which no one can foresee the duration
wrong it the transaction with regard to Colonel Crombie. r the extent, makes it incumbent upon us to take home.
There were nee*, and these rules were 'elided, and if he late and effective measures to remedy evils by which the
(Mr. Ls3ard) had said the rules were infringed in tbst par- efficiency of the service may, eta most critical moment, be
ocular case, he was wrong in saying it, and be now seriously impaired." Now, how far was this recommenda-
renamed. (Cheers.) Against Colonel Harding. he had no tion carried out? The ages of the generals who cons-
personal feeling. He knew Colonel Hardisge as a most minded in the Peninsula were as follows :—" The Duke of
gallant officer, who had distinguished himself well, end Wellington was a Major-(l lat 33, the Marquis
obese need ought not to be grudged him. But he (Mr. of Anglesea at 34, the Earl of Dalhousie 38,
Layard) wished to expose the system, as exemplified in the Earl of Strafford 36, Lord Hill 33, Lord Beres-
Colonel Hardiege's career. That officer, in 1844, was ford 39, Sir George Money 40, Lord Comber-
taken from school and put into the army as en ensign. In mere 31, Lord Londonderry 32." But look at the
direct violation of the printed rules, which said that no ages of the generals in the Crimea. Lord Raglan wee 67 ;
officer should serve on the staff until he had performed two Sir John Burgoyne 67; Sir George Brown 68; England
years of regimental duty, he was made an aide de-vamp te 62; Lord Luau 61,- Commissary General Fader 69 ; Ad.
his father. For his good service in the Sikh campaigns he astral Dundee 67. There was one thing to which he wished
was made a lieutenant without purchase, in December, particularly to call attention, and it was this, that by
1845, while huadreds of poor ensigns who west through the their present system they excluded the middle class from
same servile received no reward. Shortly afterwards, he the army. He believed that if they bad a fair chance of
was allowed.to purchase his captaincy, over the heads f all obtaining officers' commission', if they were to open the
the lieutenants is his own and another regiment. He ex- ranks of their army to them, they would have that most in-
changed into the Coldstream Guards, end then rapidly ad- telligent class entering the army even as privates. But the
vaned 0 be colonel, with his present appointment upon government had dose nothing in this direction except one
the staff. Now in the regiment, where he entered as an thing, which he gave them credit for, throwing open the
ensign, was Lieut. Henry Buck. That poor young men served artillery. They had done nothing to reform the Horse
also through all the Sikh campaigns, and at Govjerat, Guards. He should like to give an opinion on that, but he
and all the subsequent battles, but he was still a lieutenant, would prefer reading to them the opinion of a great authority,
though his career had been precisely the lame as that of being no less than that of the hon. member for
Colonel Harding*, supposing that justice, and not Middlesex, and a member of the government. He
favouritism, had prevailed. (Hear, hear.) Now looking at was a gentleman who had served in the Rimy, and who
this ease of Lord Hardinge's son, and at the promotions of consequently knew how the system worked. He said :
Colonel Wood, hie relative, and at Colonel Cunningham, .. Will any man tell me that our military system, as existing
his son.in-law, was it surprising that an officer who had at present, has tended to develop or bring forward military
' gone through long unrequited services should feel some talent or genius ? I deny it. Look, sir, in the first in.
heart-burniogs, and that he (Mr. La yard) should rise to stance, how the staff of the British army is composed.
make some remarks upon the matter ? Bat he was sorry if (Cheep and counter cheers.) It is all very well for hon.
he had said anything that was unjust, and he now begged gentlemen to come down and talk of consolidation of the
leave to retract it (Cheers) But there was another case, Ordnance, the Horse Guards, and the Commissariat under
I that of Lord Butane Cacti, who was promoted directly in one head, and the substitution of one minister for another.
the teeth of all the regulations. it had bees mid that he I maintain (whatever may be the inherent vigour of that
was promoted because he felt a meritorious desire to see man, whatever may be his experience), a mere consolidation
active service; but the fact was that he exchanged out of a will not be sufficient; you must reconstruct your whole
regiment which was at the seat of war, and we, placed in a military system. The time has arrived when you cannot
battalion which was now in London; and he (Mr. Lsyard) expect an army, besides winning battles in the field, to go
believed Lord Eustace Cecil was not far from the house at through the vicissitudes of a campaign under the present
that moment. With regard to Captain Blackett, whom he state of things. (Renewed opposition cheers.) You must
stated to have felt somewhat hurt at being put under Lord lay an unsparing hand en that building adjacent to these
Eunice Cecil, it appeared from a letter of his father's to pi emises ; you must see whether, in fact, you can find a
the Times, that Captain Blackett was promoted, not as he modern Hercules to turn the Serpentine through the Horse
(Mr. Lewd) had asserted, on account of his servi. es, but Guards and all the ramifications of the War-office. (Loud
because be happened to make the acquaintance, on based a cheers.) . . . . In England every one knows that it is
vessel, of Colonel the lion. George Upton, of the Cold- not merit and capacity for which an officer is appointed to
stream Guards. This reminded one of Canniest's the staff, but interest and connexion I say you
needy knife-grinder, who refused to be condoled with. must not be satisfied with the army consolidation—you
Now he had a list of lieutenants who had served for years must reform the army and the Horse Guards
and years without any promotion. There was a cue which The fen is, that yOu never will have any reform till you
had been sent to him by Sir Willism Napier, of Lieutenant commence with the Horse Guards, and are not satisfied
Edwards; who went to Spain in 1811, served
at the nese with the mere consolidation of offices. It is very painful
and storm of Badajos, and in six medal actions, wee thirty for me to make this statement—(ironical cheer.)-1 have a
times under fire, and twice slightly wounded, afterwards superior duty to perform; I represent a constituency."
with the army of occupation in France, and had been in the If he had spoken himself he could not have used more ap-
service ever since, except for sheet ;militia e n half-pay ; but propriate and better language than this. The opinion he
he, notwithstanding Sir William Natier's constant applies- bad read being the opinion of a member of her Majesty's
tions in his favour, was still a mere lieutenant. (Hear, hear.) government, he hoped something would be done. He bad
There wee another case that of Lieutenant D., who detained the house now a long time on the subject of the
had made repeated applications to the Commander- army, but he d d not apologise for it, because the subject
in-Chief, for promotion te the rank of captain, end was one of really great importance. Remember that every
had been as often refused; an ensign of 1839, a lieutenant regimental officer in the Crimea was watching what they
of 1840, the son of en old officer; he din the Chinese might do, and were hoping that the house would correct
war, and bad been for 12 or 13 years on foreign and Indian the system which exposed them to so much hardship. With
service ; he was still an old subaltern. The hon. gentleman regard to the navy, be was afraid that there was agrest deal
then read a 'my touching letter which had been lately of cause of complaint, but be was cot going into that sub
wntten to Sir William Napier by a Peninsular veteran jest then. He would only call attention te the ease of the
officer, a brigade major at the Cape of Good Hope, who masters, a most praiseworthy, hard working class of men,
addressed it" To my dear old commander," and who said, and who bad a great deal of respzneibility resting upon
" This day is the fortieth mini yof the Nivelle, when them. The masters were entrusted with the most arduous
you showed us the way to fight and conquer. flow few of duty, but they were never promoted. A gallant member
those who have been so gallantly led now remain ! lam of the Board of Admiralty had said they were doing some-
one of the privileged, and my career is a singular fate. thing for the masters, but what was it ? They were going
Here I am at the Canes making preparations for the em- to give them a little more pay. But was that a reward ?
barkation of the 43rd for Madras. Sir George Cathcart The misters said not, and he had received letters from
recommended me for a brevet majority, an advance of one several, who said they were so disgusted with the treatment
shilling a day; but my Lord Harding. rejected my claim to they received that they were desirous of leaving the service
this trifling boon, with the inconsistency of admittieg that he and entering the merchant service. Now having said so
entertained a high sense of my merits ; while he has Mo• much on the army, allow him to say a word or two on the
moted young men over me, who have seen but trifling diplomatic service. He was somewhat more at home on
service. One of them, twenty six years my junior, said to that subject; he had long made it a subject of study.
me, 'I am surprised at my promotion, for as yet I have He would divide it into two parts ; the diplomatic service,
done nothing t' and the chief of my staff wrote to me the strictly speaking, and the consular service. Now, if the re
other day, and said, ' I have no hesitation in saying that was one service more important than mother, it was the
the zeal and diligence you have exhibited, in carrying on diplomatic service. Frequently questions of peace and war
the business of this great depot, have been of more service depended on their skill and ability,. and they had seen re-
than if you had been in every skirmish during the war.' " 'featly bow much depended on their consuls. But if there
Mr. Lsyard contrasted this case with the promotion of was one service more than another which was made a vehicle
Captain 8., who had not been mentioned once in any de- of favouritism' it wee the diplomatic service. Here tbey
spatch, having probably had no opportunities of distinguish had what wasealled the aristocracy in full p•ay. Amongst
ing himself, but who in 1855 had been made the ambassadors and diplomatic ministers they had seven
deputy quartermaster general, carrying immediately lords, two baronets, and twenty-one houourables, against
the step of lieutenant- colonel, with the certainty seven commoners; of secretaries of legation there were two
of being colonel in three years, whilst he still lords, eight honourable', and five connected with noble fami-
retained a captaincy in his own regiment. This unfortunate lies, against seven commoners ; of paid attaches there were
and unjust promotion put him over the senior major of his one lord, seven honourable', end six of noble families,
own regiment, Major A., who entered the service tour years agaiast ten private gentlemen ; and of uapeid attaches
before him, and was ly wounded at Goojerat; also there were two lords, five honourable', and seventeen
over Lieutenant- Colonel 8., six years his senior, who had private gentlemen. There was a little ook which was
been frequently mentioned in the despatches; and over annually brought out by the Foreign-office, which gave
Brevet Meier Symonds, who was known by his brilliant a list of the persons holding diplomatic appointments.
feat at Seriegapatam, and who was nine years the senior Take Amnia, and it would be seen that our ambassador
et the officer promoted, and was in the Affghaeistan war, was the Earl of Westmoreland, the secretary of legation
amt severely wounded at Ghuennt. It also put him above the Hon. H. G. Elliott, ant' the first paid attsebe the Hon.
Colonel A., who was in three Kaffir wars and frequently Julian H. C. Fane. Take Prussia, and it would be seen
mentioned. Wee there not something wrong in that our minister plenipotentiary was Lord Bloomfield,
I such a system ? (Cheers.) He then came to speak the secretary of legation was Lord Augustus Loftus ; first
of the staff, which was the source of so many paid attache, the Hon. Lionel S. Sackville West; second
of those anomalies. On the staff of Lord Seaton paid attache, the Hon. W. G. C. Eliot; and the first unpaid
there were four or five officers, one or two of whom cer- attache, the Hon. G. J. W. A. Ellis ; so that these offices
tainly had been wounded, but who were, in spite dell regale- were completely monopolised by peers and the sons of
bone, now away from their regiments, which were on active peers. lie could give them some very strong cases. The
service. After quoting the eminent military writer, Jomini, hon. gentleman then proceeded to mention the case of one
upon the important functions of the staff, the hon. member gentleman whose name we could not catch. This gentle-
referred to Mr. Otway's return of the number of officers man, he said, served some time in the Foreign-office, and
upon the staff at present who had been educated foe that was then appointed second attache to an . embassy; six
service at Sandhurst College, showing the very small pro. days afterwards he was appointed first attaché, and a few
portion of them who had obtained certificates of proficiency years afterwards was appointed mastery of legation. Thee
in the senior department of that institution. He next cited on the other hand, take the case of Mr. Allison.
another return, which an hon. member hid procured, of the If there was a man of genius is our diploma-
number of officers who had been promoted for good service in tie service it was Mr. Allison, and yet that man
the Crimean campaign up to the 10th of March last; he had been kept at Constantinople from 1839 till the present
fuuad that out of 93 officers who had been so promoted not day, end he was made merely Oriental secretary. They
fewer then 63 were officers upon the eta This state of would not allow him to have the rank of secretary of legs-
things, he observed, was most disheartening to our brave tion. Men who were treated in that a anner felt despair.
soldiers and officers in the Crimea. Two letters, which had They got into a morbid spirit, and felt no longer able to
lately appeared in the newsmen, one of which alluded to serve the public. He would not go through other cases :
the cue of Colonel Egerton, who never quitted his regiment there were a great unsay to whom these observations would
from the day. they landed until hie death in the trenches, equally apply. Let the house take his word fer it, he said it
but who received not one step of promotion, 'moused very ffom hie own knowledge, having been in the Foreign-office.
forcibly the feelings of disappointment which existed in our He was surprised to hear the noble lord say that it was a
camp. The use of Colonel Yea, and that of Brevet- great mistake to say that when vacancies occurred in any
Colonel Dickson were alluded to. The father of the last- office they were not filled by the best men they could ob-
mentioned gallant officer was a captain in the Peninsula, taro. The first attempt that had been made to effect a
when the commander of the artillery, being ordered by the reform in our diptomatic service ; somehow or other
Duke of Wellington to perform a certain operationaaid it was failed. Some years ego it was determined to have
impracticable,and the duke turned to Capt.Dickson,who said, English gentlemen at Constantinople who could
" I will do it." He did it, and the duke promoted him to take the place of interpreters to the mission and
be bead of the artillery, and kept him there, the result he wished to say one thing in justice to the present in-
being that the art.llery was the boast of the British army. terpreters. He had heard it said that they were Russian
' (Cheers.) New, the son's conduct was precisely similar in spies. Now he bad bad some experience of the interpreters
' the Crimea. It was he who brought up the two guns at et Constantinople, and he believed a more honest set of men
1 the Alma, at Lord Raglan's desire, which broke the mass of did not exist. He had never heard of an instance in which
Russian infantry. But what reward did he obtain ? lie any one of those gentlemen had betrayed their trust. The
was still a plain colonel of artillery. Then we suffered re- system, however, was certainly a had one. They should
verse,, it was said, because we had not men to command ! sot have foreigners in that service. The Austrians had in-
Nor could we hops to have them if we turned a deaf ear to terpreters belonging to their own nation, and so had the
the claims of merit, and regarded only political or family French ; and why should not we? Well, an attempt:e as
influence. (Hear, hear.) What was the rem dy now made, and four gentlemen were selected from Oxford and
for all these evils? There must be promotion with- Cambridge ; but up to this moment what had happened ?
nut purchase, and, if possible, without favouritism. They were kept there on a miserable salary, and they were
Now he (Mr. Lewd) believed that his gallant not used as dragomen. He had beard it said in the Foreign.
I friend Sir Di Lacy Evans agreed with him in office that these gentlemen sbou.d settle in the country ;
the opinion, that the system of promotion by purchase—our but how could they do that on 1501. a year, from which the
I disgrace in the eyes of ensign nations—could be petals end income tax and other deductions were made 1 These gen-
I to. A plan could be shown by which it might be super- tlemen were there with not even a chance of promotion, and
s ded without injuring the vested interests of any persons. had been there since 1840 without having risen a
There was a curious list of the number of commissions which step. He thought that a certain ezatninatioa
had been given without purchase, partly in comsequen ie of was necessary, and above all a probation was
the deaths in the war, end partly from other causes. Would necessary before appointments were made to the
the house suppose that, out of 4,367 commissions, from the diplomatic service, but he thought the whole system of un-
rank of captain downwards, more than eats, or 2,413, had paid attaches wee bad. If a man's service was worth any
been given without purchase? The list which he thing they should pay him from the moment that he entered'
they should dismiss him. Then the next thing they should
held in his hand proved this to be the fact. Then, their service, sad if his services were not worth anything
purchase,i
all
to
theca
shouldpurchase,
h commissions,el
n•
h...
which
ei
cmho
an
lc.:
few
rdee be c
o beenan
sr.-
hat by
legation was
yt o
if government were sincere in the disposition to
seniority,dwv ns niocrei
because irhtietnalc couldhesnp
nottodiplomatic thea
d;
servicean ce secretaryship
etehret
certain
n above
quoif.
putgranged
n without
that
d
bya
missions, to be bestowed by merit, and should never go by lificatione were necessary in the higher offices, which -
they
purchase again. (Hear, hear.) Such an arrangement would could not always find amongst the lower. He
suggested
get rite of half of the purchase system at met and would that appointments in the diplomatic service should be give
not Minch the interests of any men. It would be merely to thou who took first class honours at Oxford or Cam!
justice ; for was it right that men who received their cora- bridge, or other recognised educational institutions.
missions instil should afterwards go and sell them ? (Hear, would now say few words the • He
a on consular service. They
hear.) The anomalies of the purchase system wen worse mastdivide the consular service into four constit •uents
in time of war than in peace. The officers who fought consuls general, consuls,'
Nice-consuls and consular spats.
throughout the campaigns, and whose regiments were Some olthese *IR le had been ** ted oe appointed for moat extraor-
missed by casualties in their number of Alms, could not dines yreasons, mime of them for reasons which he might
purchase, whilst men who had not left this country, but almost- morality
remained at the depots, would purchase over their
heads. man in the consular service. The noble lord bore his •
-
Another thing which ought to be done for our army was
testi
many the other night to the efficiency of our consuls.
this, to abolish the unfair privileges of the Guards., which He (Mr. Layerd) had been in communication
men who from their wonderful
with most of
placed the other regiments at an intolerable disadvantage, them in three parts of the world, and there were I
Thiscommission recommended a change in the military them most efficient among
acquire-
system, but it was never attended to. Let him call their mentewould have risenthe . to highest posts if they had been
attention to the report made last year, a report signed, at •
in the service of other countries. They paid them 2001.,
least the royal commission was signed by
the head of the goverament. They said: "It isincome
g 117 tax, and • per mange called "the Foreign-office Clerks'
admitted that in a naval command physical vigour, and the tax," and these two sums together made
energy which secorapan arise it, e necessary to the full air deduction from their income.,
which deductions he thought