The Sun.
London, England, 1864-06-07 00:00:00

Sir JOHN HAY did good service in calling atten-
tion to the very faulty management of Greenwich
Hospital. The Royal Commission that sat for six
months to inquire into its affairs made a most un-
satisfactory report. When it was mentioned that
this great institution was almost entirely perverted
from its purpose, it was surely time to make some
striking change in its style and workings. The
Hospital had been arranged to accommodate two
thousand and three hundred pensioners, but there
were only one thousand and the hundred inmates
at the time of the investigation. The most scan-
dalous thing of all was that no less than one thou-
sand one hundred seamen were in the different
workhouses of England. A more striking proof
was seldom given of official: mismanagement, or a
more glaring instance of fends misappropriated
from their original destination. The purport of
Sir JOHN HAY'S motion Ras that due heed should
be paid to the recommendations of the Commis-
sioners, who strongly urged on the Government to
put a stop to the system of double government
which prevailed at the Hospital. In this idea many
able and well-informed persons concurred, and it
was, therefore, most desirable that they should
attend to the suggestion. This double government
is an innovation on the original system, for it was
introduced in 1829. Since so much has been said
of the evil effects of its workings, it does seem
strange that delay and difficulties should be con.
tinually thrust in the way of amendment and alte-
ration. It is perfectly incomprehensible to under-
stand the objects of these vexatious hindrances
that are constantly' interposed when any im-
portant step ought to be taken. It is idle to
attempt to fathom the motives of all in high places,
when they are told in emphatic terms what they
ought to do to effect remedies, The strange thing is
that ail sides appear to agree as to the advisability of
a change. The Secretary to the Admiralty himself
said in a speech a year or two back, "All the world
knows that the government of Greenwich Hospital
is extremely defective." It is a great scandal to all
immediately concerned that such should be the case,
and a great disgrace to the country that there should
be such errors existing in to establishment which
was formed for the refuge of those who have spent
the best years of their lives in the service of their
country, and belong to a class which is its best
security and surest safeguard. The Government
introduced a bill which was to do away with the
double government at the Hospital, and effsot other
salutary arrangements, but this measure was with-
drawn. Mr. CHILDERS made a very specious state-
ment on this subject, but lee did not explain why
it was necessary to wait for such a protracted period
before entering spun the necessary changes. Indeed,
one part of his own statement clearly showed the
necessity that existed for an immediate and tho-
rough change taking place. Since the Commis-
sioners made their report the number of pensioners
had diminished by one hundred and sixty-eight.
Surely this fact should be the most potent argument
that can be employed, and the most powerful
auxiliary that can be sought for to aid the cause of
reform. There is nothing so difficult to overcome
as the hindrances of those who profess that they
are ready to help bat never show the least sign of
putting their promises into execution. Had the
Admiralty at first resolutely declined to move in
this Tsetter, very likely there might have been a
strong opposition worked up against them, but
their seeming acquiescence quieted the loudest de-

claimer and reconciled the most severe of critics. It
is perfectly absurd to make it appear that sufficient
time has not elapsed since the date of the Commis-
sion for all essential alterations to have taken place.
It is nearly four years, and there would have been

ample time to do double the work necessitated by
1 these plans that were proposed. No doubt the
members of the Government are actuated by a desire
I to put 4 Stop to the serious grievances that impair
g of 1 the working
this time-honoured institution, but
they are evidently afraid of offending the prejudices
of interested parties.
This a great mistake, and,
indeed, it amounts to a
positive wrong, for the in-
terests of truth and justice should come before all
secondary motives, and the claims of those for whom
the charity was founded are paramount to the con.
siderations of secondary persons
mixed up in the
affair. It is, at all events, satisfactory to find that
the Government have resolved to get rid of the
double government at Greenwich Hospital. Many
other changes are also contemplated, and,
therefore, we may indulge the hope that eventu-
ally this institution may again lift up its
head, and be recognised as one of the esta-
blishments of which the country may be proud.
Sir JOHN PAKTISGTON, who is a good authority,
part
approved of the plans that were in some

shadowed forth by Mr. CHILDERS. The right hon.
baronet very properly advocated tLe claims

of the cfficers of the Royal Navy, who, he
said, wcre put aside in consequence of the misinter-
pretation of the words of the charter. This is a

very fair suggestion, since there can be no reason
why this deserving class should be precluded from

their share of the benefits of the institution. It
very frequently occurs that in these charities some
misunderstanding arises as to the right interpre-
tation of the test of the charters. In consequence
many really deserving individuals are put aside,
and others, Who
have really no claim of any sort,
are allowed to consume the profits of the place;
and
virtually to fritter away the substance that, pro
periy applied, would have more than carried out
the benevolent intentions of the founders of the in-