The Sun.
London, England, 1865-04-29 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDO: N, SATURDAY 14.NELNING, APRIL 29, 186 a,

knowledge which is requisite for successful com-
petition ; but that is no proof that when put
to the practical business of life he will show him-
self really able ; and it by no means follows that
the young clerk who may eclipse his senior who
has forgotten his book learning will be as good
a public servant as a man who has learnt more
by his years and experience than books will ever
teach him. Mr. GLADSTONE further promised that
if on receiving the Customs' Report the Govern-
ment found that the out-door officers had really
lost by the changes of 1860 they would
admit their right to compensation. At the same
time the right honourable gentleman •as usual
resented the interference of the House, assured hon.
members that they were establishing a most dan-
gerous precedent, that if they once began altering
the emoluments of the public servants, they would
have to reconsider all salaries and perquisites, civil,
naval, and military that the results of
their officiousness would be to disorganise the
public service at large, and lower the character of
the House of Commons. Truly " great events
from little causes spring" if all this is to follow
from the appointment of a select committee of in-
quiry. As for the interference of the House in
monetary matters we have had a notable instance
this very session, and we have to thank that interfer-
ence for the reduction of the fire insurance duty.
If the functions of the House are to be limited to a
mere acquiescence in all the Government chooses to
do, what is to become of us if the Chancellor of the
Exchequer does not right upon the particular point
required ? If he cannot take a hint or listen to a
suggestion, then one of the great supports of con-
stitutional Government is seriously weakened,
' since the command of the national purse strings
is one of the all-important duties of the Commons.
But Mr. GLADSTONE refuses to permit a committee
of inquiry, which surely could do no harm, and
would at least satisfy the complainants that their
grievances would be fully and fairly inquired into.
Nothing rankles so bitterly as a sense of injus-
tice, and it is always a great pity for a Govern-
ment to give any occasion for such a feel-
ing among a body of public servants. Its exist-
ence should never be disregarded, since, if well-
founded, the cause should be removed, and if
causeless, the grumblers should be shown their
error. The merchants of Liverpool, Shoreham, and
other ports complain, with reason, that it is very
unfair to the public to place these men in positions
of great temptation, and that with their small in-
come, and, perhaps, with families to provide for,
they are constantly entrusted with large quantities
of valuable property. Such a system is extremely
unfair since, while a Government has a right to de

mand scrupulous honesty from its agents, it should
at least secure them from harassing anxiety. The
scantypay of the Post-office employes was, we know,
at one time a grievous temptation to dishonesty,

_ .
but, even without such an argiimpnt, it is too bad,
when our merchandise is the chief wealth of our
kingdom, that these officers should be paid at so
shabby and scanty a rate. The difference of £2O
or £3O per annum would be very great to those
hard-worked clerks, but, as in all public affairs, those
who do the most work often get the least pay. We
hope, in spite of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's
opposition that the subject will not be wholly for-
gotten.

A. meeting was held yesterday at the Mansion
House, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor,
with a very useful and interesting object. A new
society is being formed, with the view of providing
an asylum for merchant seamen, something on the
principle of Greenwich Hospital. It is proposed
to select for its site the mansion of the late Sir
CULLING EARDLEY, which is situated near Erith,
and is in every way a most appropriate and advan-
tageous position. It is further proposed to increase
the utility of the plan that the merchant seamen
should themselves be enabled to contribute to the
asylum, which will serve the double purpose of
encouraging them in provident habits, and of in-
creasing the revenues of the establishment. Our
merchant navy is so large, that if only a portion of
the men contributed regularly to the institution it
would derive a handsome income from that source
alone ; but there is no doubt that so popular and
sensible an object will receive a cordial support
from the public generally. The sailor, in old age
and infirmity, has an especial need for a home, and
the years which he spends in public service render
his claim well founded, not only on charity, but on
right. No class is more popular among us than
seamen, and we have no doubt that this new plan
for their benefit will meet with hearty encourage
meat.

ELECTION INTELLIGENCE.

WAKEFIELD.