The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-03-05 00:00:00

THE PARTNERSHIP BILL.

Mr. HENLEY gave notice that when the motion for going
into committee on the Partnership Bill came on, he should
call attention to the abuse of the forms of the House by
the substitution of an entirely new bill in the place of the
one originally introduced, and move, in consequence, that
the bill be committed that day six months.

KINGDOM OF OUDE.
In reply to Mr. Cobden,

Mr. V. SMITH said the papers relating to the Kingdom
of Oude would be laid on the table as soon as they were
received. A despatch had been sent out, stating the modes
in which the mal-administration of the Kingdom of Oude
might be corrected, and leaving to Lord Dalhousie's dis-
cretion as to which should be adopted. No answer to
that despatch had as yet been received.

THE FALL OF KARS.
Lord PAZMERSTON laid on the table papers relating to
the fall of Kars.

THE ANOLO-ITALIAN LEGION

Mr. BOWYERS asked what accounts her Majesty's
Government had received respecting the late arrests at
Novara, arising from the apprehended uniting in the
Anglo-Italian Legion. Also how long the Legion were to
remain at Piedmont, and what was its future destination
in the event of peace being concluded.
Lord PALMERSTON stated that a report had been circu-
lated, in consequence of which sixteen soldiers were
arrested, and submitted to investigation by the Sardinian
authority. The report stated that a large sum had been
sent from Lombardy to induce the men to desert, but
there was no foundation for such a statement. The con-
duct of the regiment had been from first to last most
exemplary, but it was thought advisable to carry out at
once the arrangement originally intended, and steps were
accordingly taken to remove ;the legion to Malta. The
three regiments had by this time, left Piedmont, and in
the march, nothing could exceed the good order, disci-
pline, and loyalty of the men.

METROPOLITAN ACTS AMENDMENT BILL.
In answer to Mr. BUTLER,
Lord PALMERSTON said that it was very important that
this bill should pass before Easter.

THE EASTER RECESS,

Mr. Srootiva inquired on what day it was proposed
that Parliament should adjourn for the Easter recess, and
how long the adjournment would last ?

Lord PALMEBSTON said he proposed that the House
should adjourn on Friday the 14th, until the following
Monday fortnight.

ARMY PROMOTIONS.

Sir DE LACY EVANS moved for a select committee "to
consider, examine evidence, and report to the House, on
the expediency of abolishing the system of sale and pur-
chase of commissions in the army, and on the means
that may be
_adopted for the accomplisment of that
object." The right honourable and gallant gentleman
who spoke very indistinctly, commenced by stating that
tae system of purchase originated in the reign of Charles
11., to which time a great number of other corrupt mea-
sures were to be traced. He then referred to the effi-
ciency of the French army and of our artillery, where
promotions were not made by purchase, and remarked
upon the objections that the abolition of the purchase
system would lead to promotion being made principally
by seniority, which he denied would be the case.
After alluding to the various improvements that had been
made in the army, the hon. and gallant member expressed
his conviction that the system of purchase, which he
looked upon as a disgrace to the country,would eventually
disappear. His motion was for a select committee, but
if this were objected to by the Government, he would
agree that the inquiry should be conducted by a commis-
s on, consisting of military men and civilians.
Lord GoDEatc.:( seconded the motion. He thought it
inexpedient and dangerous to allow officers a vested right
in the army, which, by the purchase system. they pos-
sessed, and which acted prejudicially to the improvement
of the army. He referred to the defective education in
the army, which precluded non-commissioned officers
from receiving commissions, and stated his belief that
in consequence the recruiting for the army was impeded,
and that if the system of purchase were abolished, per-
sons of greater ability and energy would be ready to enter
the army as a profession,
Mr. ELLICE remarked that the question was beset with
difficulties, and much might be said on both sides. He
recommended that the House should be cautious in inter-
fering with the existing system. He adverted to the East
India Company's service, in which promotion was so slow
that old officers were recommended to retire to make room
for younger and more efficient men, and concluded by
urging upon the Government to adopt some means of
enquiry into the subject.
Sir J. FITZGERALD addressed the House, but his re-
marks were altogether inaudible.

Mr. PEEL would nil assert that the system of purchase
was theoretical'y objectionable, but they had to deal with
a system which had existed for a great many years, and
it:was not therefore easy to remove it. The new corps
had been established without the system of the pur-
chase of commissions and promotions, but they
could not so readily act with regard to the old
army. With regard to promotions, he held: that the
discontent in the army would not be put an end to by
such a course, as those who were passed over, would com-
plain as much of the man who was promoted by merit, as
they did of promotions on account of wealth. lie con-
tended that the purchase system benefitted some purchas-
ing officers, inasmuch, as when a man purchased into a
regiment, he entered at the bottom of ihe list, moving up
each other officer, and placing non-purchasing officers
nearer to any vacancy that might occur.
Lord STANLEY said, the question resolved itself into
the expediency of a purchase by the Government of a
certain vested right, the existence of which was an
anomaly, and had been condemned by almost every one.
Mr. Ricca supported the motion, contending that the
abolition of the purchase system would exclude from the
service some who entered the army for amusement, while
it would retain a number of young men of some means
who now left the army because it did not hold out suffi—
cient inducements of advancement. He argued that the
system had not succeeded, and ought, therefore, to be
altered ; and in proof of this he mentioned the fact that it

had been found necessary to remove all the old generals
when the war commenced, and quoted returns sheaving
that the average age of lieutenant-colonels was 49i; of
majors, 43; of captains, 37; of lieutenants, 29; and of
ensigns, 21 years.
Colonel LINDSAY defended the purchase systems the,
effect of which had been to place men in the full vigour 0,
life in high and respectable positions. None of the sup-
porters of the motion had put forward any propositions
with regard to the abolition of purchase, and if they were
to declare that no promotions should in future be Put.-
chased, there would be great difficulty in inducing ineffi-
cient officers to retire.

Mr. HEADLAII complained of the non-fulfilment of the
promise of the Government to allow officers the option, 53
case of death in action, of leaving their commissions to
their families in lieu of pensions. He supported the
motion.

-.
Colonel NORTH opposed the motion, on the ground that
sale of their commissions provided retired officers with 3
small fortune.

Mr. M. MILNES thought the matter should be inve
gated by a committee appointed by the Government, coin'
posed of military men and civilians.
Captain ADAIR and Mr. S. IlEnnEnT also supported t
motion, which was opposed by Lord PALMERSTON, all
eventually
Sir DE LACY EVANS withdrew his motion.

TITHE AND COMMUTATION ACTS.
Mr. R. PffILLIMORE obtained leave to bring in a bill t°
remedy the injustice of the present mode of assessing tbe,
Tithe and Commutation Rent-charge to the parochial
rates.

EMPLOYMENT AT BLEACH WORKS.
In the .absence of Mr. I. Butt, Lord JOHN MANNE"
brought in a bill to regulate the employment of W°lllel3
and Young Persons in Bleaching Works.

TEA DETIES.
Mr. MacAnTNEr moved for a Select Committee to inquire
into the circumstances attending the payment of the Yeryi.
large amount of duties upon teas on the 20th day
April, 1855, by certain parties trading in London an
Liverpool, and thereby evading'the increased duties VII;
posed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the budge.'
the same evening, in order to ascertain whether such Par:
ties were enabled to do so in consequence of preying'
information given by some persons connected with the
revenue department of the treasury—thus obtaining an
undue advantage over others engaged in the same trade'
and depriving the revenue of the increased duty.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the Enciti°.
of the right hon. gentlemen was without precedent. Antiel;
pation had been felt by different houses that ad
increase would be made in the duty on sugar our
spirits and they had acted accordingly, and last ear
two Houses only had anticipated the decrease of. t,,
duty on tea. There was not the slightest grounds for toof
charges made by the hon. gentleman, without proofs,
breach of confidence and dishonesty on the part of the
treasury. If the hon. member could bring forward Pro
°
of his charge he would grant the committee, but he In;
tested against such serious charges being now made OP°
mere suspicion. •c(,6
Mr. MACARTNET replied, and the motion was neon.
without a division.

FOREST ACT. O
Mr. WILSON brought inWHICHWOOD a bill to amend the Vaichsc°d
Act 1853.

SALE OF ADVOWSONS BILL. ble
Mr. CHILD obtained leave to bring in a bill to en 3
parishioners and others, forming a numerous class, t°,bel
Advnwsons held by or in trust for them, and to apPIY
on
proceeds in providing parsonage houses, aug'slentifor
small livings, and to other beneficial purposes, and
giving other powers to such persons.

LAG L—IRELAND. for
The motion foBrOURINIe the condCLASS reEnding of the Dlvllling,mn
L'ibouring Classes (Ireland) Bill was opposed by
KENNEDY, who moved the adj ,urnment of the debate.
On a division there appeared :
For adjourning the debate.
Against it. lO4

Majority against the adjournment .... 93 gas
Ultimately, after some further debate, the opposition
withdrawn, and the bill was read a second time.
The Married Womens' Reversionary Interest Bill was read
a second time.
nd
The reports of the Committee of Supply and Ways a -
Means were brought up and agreed to.
The Metropolis Local Management Bill was read
second time.
The Mutiny and Marine Mutiny Bills, were read a third
time and passed.
The House adjourned at half-past 12 o'clock.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE-

THE SIGNATURE OF THE PEACE

PRELIMINARIES

APPROVAL OF THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA'

A most important despatch, dated Berlin the
instant, has just come to hand.
erol:
The despatch announces that the kAn3Y
Alexander had received at St. Petersburg a 1/%3-
cation from Count Orloff that the peace Preh—lift;
naries had been signed at Paris, and thst nt
Majesty, the Emperor, had on the irlisfitg
(Monday last) transmitted to Count 01.`°--1 of
telegraphic despatch declaring his apPr°`4l-
such signature. we!)
The Russian ambassador at Berlin bad
informed of these circumstances.