The Express.
London, England, 1867-05-01 00:00:00

THE PERCHASI SYWTEN IN THE ARMY.

The really forcible arguments which the Times
sees in favour of the purchase system are, first, that it
insures such a retirement to the older officers as gives to
regiments a due succession of men in the vigour of life ;
and, secondly, that it prevents the evil of favouritism.
On the other hand, there are certain evils which neces-
sarily belong to purchase. Mr. Trevelyan spoke last
night of the "gigantic and inflated system of half-
pay" as having been raised to its present level to
compensate officers for the price paid for their
commissions. The remarks of Sir John Pakingtou
were satisfactory, inasmuch as he announced that
the question of our military organisation must be
considered, and that the arguments for and against pur-
chase would be considered among the rest. It must not be
forgotten that, as far as officers are concerned, the British
army is a cheap one. The question is full of difficulties,
and, on the whole, the Times is glad that the house did
not commit itself to Mr. Trevelyan's motion by giving
him a majority.

The Daily Nen' describes Mr. Trevelyan 's speech as ad-
mirable both in substance and in manner, and as an im-
portant contribution to the formation of a sound public
and parliamentary opinion. The speeches delivered from
the Treasury bench and the seats behind it show that
considerable progress has already been made in getting
rid of the mile of commissions in the army. Sir John Pa-
kington rather pleaded for a reprieve than demanded an
acquittal of the system, which he scarcely made even a
feint of defending. Lord Harlington joined hie sue-
cessor at the War-office in explicitly acknowledging the
objectionable character of the present arrangements;,
and though Lord Stanley was, ex officio, silent, a
younger member of the House of Derby argued
against the practice of " buying responsibilities for a sum
of money." Captain Stanley's speech is an additional tes-
timony to the existence of a just and liberal tone of sen-
timent among the younger and more intelligent officers of
the army. The buying and selling of public offices which
once prevailed in every department of the state has now
found its last refuge in the army. But an annual debate
and an annual division may gradually supply a motive power
for getting rid of it, even there. With the exception of Mr.
Greville-Nugent, who was horror struck at the thought
that the abolition of the system of purchase might bring
the sons of linendmpers into the service, the objectors
I base their opposition solely on the financial difficulties
involved in the change, and to this point, therefore, the
advocates of reform must address themselves. The
Daily Ncet believes the difficulty is not insuper►ble. The
best officers are in the end the cheapest. When parlia-
ment and the nation have determined that the thing
shall be done the means of doing it will be discovered.
The Peat represents the whole question as one of pounds,
shillings, and pence. The collective value of all the coin-
missions in the English army is estimated at something in
excess of seven millions. Are the public prepared to re-
coup those who have expended this amount in purchasing
the posts they at present occupy?
The Standard is confident that if any expedient could be
devised by which judicious selections and a fair acceptance
of them by the army could be ensured, and if parliament
would vote the capitd sum required to compensate the
present holders of commissions, as well as fair active ler-
, vice and liberal retiring pay, the purchase of commissions
would be abolished by a unanimous vote of the House of
Commons. But at present no such scheme has been sug-
gested, and the country has given no indication of its
readiness to accept such burdens.
It was a sorry sight, remarks the Star, to see Lord Hart-
ington rise at the opposition side of the table last night,
and endeavour to persuade Mr. Trevelyan to yield to the
request of Sir John Pakington not to press his motion to a
division. It is truly melancholy to hear the old whig song
of unripeness in the public mind chanted, not only in
office, but in opposition, by members of the official class,
connected with what is supposed to be the party of pro-
gress. The Star denies that public opinion is not ripe on
this subject, and says most emphatically, that so tar as
there is a real public opinion, it is completely in favour of
the change. The division of 75 against 116 was by no
means an unfavourable one under the circumstances, and
will serve, as Mr. Trevelyan said, at all events to start the
question in order that the reformed parliament may run
it down.