The Express.
London, England, 1860-03-24 00:00:00

.R.`TNEXATION OF NICE.

—....—
The Marquis of CLAITRICARDE then rose to ask
whether her Majesty's idlllA4llll had received any com-
munication from the Sardinian or from the French go-
vernment of the recent vote of the municipality of Nice,
relative to the cession of that town and its county by
Sardinia, and to its absorption into the French empire.
Lord WODEHOUSE said his answer to the noble
marquis's question was that her Majesty's government had
not received any communication either from the French
government or from the government of Sardinia, on the
subject to which it related. He was quite sure that their
lordships would see the propriety of his confining himself
to a simple answer to the question put, and not entering on
that occasion into questions which were under the met
serious consideration of the government
THE MUTINY BILL.—PROMOTION Di THE ARMY.

On the ardv ofThrday far the eeoood reeding of
Mutiny Bill,
Lord PANMIIRE called the attention of the house to

the present system of promotion in the army by the sale
and purchase of COMMIII,IOIIII. He pointed out at some
length what he deemed its various advantages. The re-
port of the commission was one which ought to have
made the government pause before they ventured upon
such a radical change, as six of that commission were
in favour of the report, and four against it—a ma-
Aority hardly large enough to justify the govern-
' meat in ignoring the opinions of the minority.
The " selection " system, he coneldend, would be deetruc-
, tive of that harmony 'end goal feeling which at present
existed in the army, and would impose on the comnuinder-
in-chief a most invidious teak. In considering the financial
view of the question, he asked whether lieutenant-colonels
who had purchased their commissioas above regulation price,
if they applied for leave to sell out, were only to be allowed
to receive the regulation price ; because, if so, it was I. de-
cided fraud upon them, as they had bought their conunis-
sions upon a totally different understanding.
Lord DE GREY and RIPON said the speech of Lend
Panmure would have been very appropriate if it had b--en
the intention of government entirely
i to abolish the par-
chase system. As, however, no such intention existed, the
suspicions of Lord PllllllllLre were quite unfounded. It was
i ble in the higher grades of the army in moat cases
to adopt system of selection, and the new regulations
only proposed to make the principle of selection compul-
sory instead of optional. He felt convinced that the adop-
tion of this principle, approved as it was by the commission,
would not only increase the efficiency of the army, but re-
move one of the greatest scandals which at preeent at-
tached to it.
Lord LUCAN considered that the system of purchase
had worked well, and believed that uo regiment. iu the
world were equal to the British regiment., If the syAem
of selection were to be adopted as the rule, it would give
rise to much discontent, lead to the resignation if officers
pained over, and degenerate into a system of promotion ny
seniority—the worst system of all others.
The Duke of SOMERSET considered that the pod of
lieutenant-colonel in command of a regiment was too serious
a trust to be either bought or *old. Was it to he endured
that the lives of men and the honour of the country should
be sacrificed because a penoa of insufficient capacity had
money, and because there was • dislike to interfere with
the existing system? He defended at some length the
selection system, and insisted on Its neceesity in the
higher grades of the service. There was vie difficulty, he
said, in selecting fit officers as private documents existed
at the Horse Guards deecribing the capacity and character
of every officer in the service. Selection did not mean that
the officer passed over was very bad, but that the promoted
akar was better. The real question wee whether the
interests of the officer or the public were to be considered—
• question which could only admit of one aaaiter.
Lord GREY said the practical question was, how can we
get the best men to command our ts? Under a
system of selection it would be impuwible I. get rid of the
influences of favour and interest. however,
that the plan were carried out ion y, it would soon
degenerate either into a regular selection of the senior
major, or of counselling that officer, before another was
placedover him, to sell out, in order to avoid the impute-
tion that be was incorupeteut to command a regiment. It
would be much better for the government to abolish promo-
tion by purchase at Duce, than to adopt the plan propose,'
by the government

The Duke o CAMBRIDGE—Hy lords, Ido not think it
would be respectful in me towards your lordships to allow
this discussion to close without Raying a very few words.
(Hear, hear.) These are to this effect, that it would be, in
my peculiar position, indelicate in me to enter into any ar-
guments on the question, inasmuch as my opinions upon it
are known—they were given before the commioniou of which
the noble duke (my noble friend) wan president. I had
ten expression to these opinions before the question waa
t underoondderation. I hevegiveu them in the most un-
biassed mannertothecomniimion, and I request to say I have
net changed my opinion since then. (Hear.) This is all I
shall observe, except in addition to say that, whatever may
be decided upon, I assure the noble duke, this house, and
the country, that an far as I am personally concerned I will
make it my earnest anxious endeavour to overcome the
di/domino', perhaps I might almost say to • certain extent
imposiibilities, in order to carry out whatever may he de-
signed to promote the best interests of the army, and if of
the army, also that which will be advantageous to the rest
of the country. (Cheers.)
. . . . .

.
Lonl HARDINGE wished to express his opinion that
this compromise would not work satisfactorily. He thought
it was clearly shown by the two noble earls who had spoken
that evening, and the noble lonl who introduced the bill,
that this system of 'election would lead to gnat heart-
burnings and dissatisfaction in the army, and the result
would be that political ',rewire would he brought to bear
upon the authorities, and would probably stroy that
e,prit de corps which ought ti exist among the alien of
the British army. He was at one time of opinion that pro.
motion by merit should be introduced into the army ; hot
after reading the evidence of the noble earl opposite
and his royal highne. (the Duke of Cambridge)
his opinion was quite changed, and he wan now of opinion
that such a system could not be practically carried out. The
hate Lord Raglan, in his evidence before the comed.ion
of 1840, stated he should be very sorry to sea n system of
selection by merit intnsluced under any circumstances, ea
he believed it would lead to the greatest poasible abuse. He
(Lord Herdinge) said, therefore, that the go ernment 'scheme
was very objectionable ; and he trestbd, vif ft was not too
late, that they would reconsider this question, and not in-
troduce into the army any sweeping or hastily considered
changes.
• •

The bill was thee read a mood time.
YAWNS MUTINY BILL.
This bill was also read a.aeoood time.
Their lordships adfuttowl at a quarter to 9 O'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMt —lr/lIDAY, MARCH 23.
The SMILER took the .4 four o'clock.
PRIVAIR RIIIIINMS.
The following hills wen read a tune and lia.iiieil :- -
Dialey and Hayfield Railway, and North We..wrn
Railway and St. Helens Canal and way Comialtiel, Alla
the Oswestry and Newtown Railway cli Railway, &,. ),
Bills. and