The Press.
London, England, 1856-07-12 00:00:00

LIEUT.-COLONELS IN THE ARMY.

Colonel LINDSAY moved an address to her Majesty,
praying that she will be pleased to take into con-
sideration the injury inflicted on those lieutenant-
colonels of the army who attained that rank before
the 20th of June, 1854, and who have been super-
seded by the retrospective action of the warrant of
the oth of October, 1854.

The gallant officer was proceeding with his argu-
ment, when the house was counted out, at nine
o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-WEDNESDAY.
CIVIL SERVICE.

On the order, moved by Lord GODERICH, that the
house resolve itself into a committee upon the civil
service,

The .CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER rose to give
such an explanation as, he thought, might induce
Lord Goderich not to press his motion. Since the
discussion upon the resolution of the house, he said,
a considerable number of examinations and appoint-
ments had taken place, and the practical result of
the system up to the present time had been that
two persons had succeeded in obtaining certificates
where one failed. The number of candidates nomi-
nated since May, 1855, up to July, 1856, was 2,390,
and of these 1,055 were examined in London, and
693 in the provinces, making a total of 1,748 persons
examined. Certificates were granted to 564 persons
on the London examinations, to 445 persons on the
provincial examinations, and to 61 persons on the
reports of heads of departments, making a total of
1,070 persons to whom certificates were granted.
The number of certificates refused on the London
examinations was 318, and on the provincial 238 ;
making a total of 556 certificates refused against

SATURDAY,

1,070 granted. Therefore, the result was as nearly
as possible that two persons succeeded in obtaining
certificates to one who failed. Lord Goderich pro.
posed to carry the system of open competition still
further, so that, whenever a vacancy occurred in a
public office, any person might offer himself as a
candidate ; the plan at present being, in the supe-
rior departments of the Government, that, when-
ever a vacancy occurred, candidates were selected
by the head of the department, and subjected to
competitive examination. The house, he thought,
would see that this system offered securities for
good appointments, it being the interest of heads of
departments to obtain the most efficient subordinates.
With respect to the Secretary to the Treasury,
he, not being the head of the department for which
the nominations weie made, had not to the same
extent that interest; and that class of appointments
required some additional security. Having con.
sulted the Civil Service Commissioners, he could
state that the result of their experience was that
examination by competition, where the number was
not too large, produced, on the whole, more satis-
factory effects than any other mode, and their expe-
rience favored the gradual extension of the principle
of appointments by competitive examination. There
was some practical difficulty in laying down one
universal rule that should require all candidates to
undergo examination in London, and he thought
means might be found of having examinations in
the other capitals, Edinburgh, Dublin, and perhaps
in Wales and Cornwall. He trusted that this ex•
planation would satisfy the house that it was the
sincere wish of the Government to give as much
effect as circumstances permitted to the principle of

. .
competitive examination for appointments in the civil
service.

Lord GODERICH said, hearing this statement, he
should not proceed with his motion, undertaking,
however, to bring forward his motion again should
Government fail to act up to the spirit of the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer's speech.
TENANT RIGHT (IRELAND) BILL.

On the order for going into committee upon this
bill,

Mr. G. H. MOORE said that there was no reason.
able hope that time could be found for considering
the details of this measure during the present ses•
sion. He should move that the order be discharged.
He was willing to leave the Government in full
possession of the advantage they had so honourably
achieved:—

Of the personal explanation which I have been fortunate
enough to elicit from the Irish Secretary it would be
superfluous cruelty to say one word, because, though it waa
most exceptional in tone and temper and was rather offen-
sive than defensive, to attempt to refute it would be some-
thing like the undertaking of a well-known alderman "to
put down suicide." If the right hon. gentleman should
on any future occasion feel it his duty to oppose any
measure of mine, I only hope that he will accompany
that opposition with arguments and statements such as
those he had advanced against this bill. According to the
explanation which the right hon. gentleman had been
ordered by the Government to make, the Government had
voted for the second reading of this bill because they
acknowledged the justice of its principle; but they opposed
its further progress because they whaled to prevent that
principle being carried into operation. It might be said
that I had no reason to complain of this course, because
it was precisely the course which the Government adopt
with their own bills; but, as nobody that I know takes the
slightest interest in their bills, while a whole people take
a deep interest in this bill of mine, I may be permitted
to object to the parity of proceeding. It is to be
hoped (concluded Mr. Moore) that during the recess the
right hon. gentleman will devote himself to a study of the
geography of Ireland and of the habits and wants of the
Irish people, of which he seems profoundly ignorant, and
perhaps next session he will be able to furnish the house
with some ideas of his own as to the justice of the princi-
ples on which this bill was founded. Instead, too, of
engaging himself in importing into Ireland a scheme of
English legislation which was as unacceptable an importa-
tion as himself, he might well employ his leisure in devis-
ing some scheme for the reformation of those Irish mem-
bers by whom he was at once supported and besieged.
The hon. member concluded by moving that the
order be discharged.

Lord PALMERSTON said, his opinion! upon this
question had never been concealed. Upon general
principles he considered it undesirable and highly
objectionable that Parliament should interfere in
transactions between parties who made terms with
each other ; but that it would be the duty of the
Government respectfully to consider any measure
upon the subject which might be brought forward
next session.

The order was then discharged.
JUDGMENTS EXECUTION, &C., BILL.

On the order of the day for going into committee
on this bill,
Mr. F. FRENCH moved, as an amendment, that the
house go into committee that day three months.
Mr. M'MAtioN supported the amendment.
Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD said, that the principle of
this bill had his support, and that of the Solicitor-

JULY 12, 1856.

General and the Attorney-General for England, as
well as of the Lord Advocate. In committee safe-
guards against abuse might be introduced into the
provisions.
Mr. WHITESIDE protested against the bill as
highly impolitic, and calculated to produce much
practical mischief and hardship. It would give no
jurisdiction to the courts in Dublin by which re-
lief could be granted from a judgment fraudulently
obtained.
Mr. M'CANN supported the amendment.
The house then divided, when there were, for the
amendment, 69; against it, 74; majority, 5.
On the question that the Speaker leave the chair,
Mr. VANCE moved the adjournment of the debate.
Another division took place, the numbers being, for
the amendment, 63 ; against it, 73; majority, 10.
Mr. WHITESIDE thought the hon. gentleman (Mr.
Craufurd) would only waste the time of the house
by pressing his bill, and recommended him to post.
pone it until the next session, observing that the
measure which the Attorney-General for Ireland had
intimated that it was his intention to introduce next
year would probably effect the objects the hon. gentle-
man had in view.
Colonel FRENCH objected to the bill, and was ad-
dressing the house, when,
At a quarter to six o'clock, the SPEAKER, in confor-
mity with the standing order, declared the debate
adjourned.
The Lords' Amendments to the Grand Juries Bill
were considered and agreed to.
The Unlawful Oaths (Ireland) Bill, and the
Turnpike Acts Continuance (Ireland) Bill, were read
a second time.