The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-13 00:00:00

mmusreit

Our French neighbours have a Minister of War
and a Minister of Marine. We have hitherto pre-
ferred half a dozen independent departments for
the army, and in the navy a single Board, repre-
sented in Parliament by its First Lord and its Se-
cretary. Each of these systems has its drawbacks,
but it may with safety be affirmed that none is so
radically vicious as the heterogeneous jumble and
confusion of offices which have for a century past
carried on the administration of the British army.
We are now to have a Minister of War, and the
question is only as to whether military authority
is really to be concentrated in a single hand. Re-
sponsibility and authority go together, and should
remain undivided, if we obtain, at the present
estimate, a really responsible and capable Minister,
one month's war experience will save ten times
the annual cost of the new department ; if we are
to have only another Secretary, co-equal and co-
ordinate with the rest, we shall have only increased
confusion at the cost of 15,000/. a-year.—Times.

(From the Morning Advertiser.)
It was intended that the vote for the new War
Department should be taken to-morrow, in which
case it is probable that the whole question of the
Eastern war would have been gone into, as well as
the appointment which had been made to the new
office. But Lord John Russell intimated, towards
the conclusion of the sitting on Tuesday evening,
that the vote for the new War Department will not
be taken till Monday.
We regret the postponement even for so short a
period as from Friday till Monday. The country
is much dissatisfied not only with the exclusion of
Lord Palmerston from the ne w office, but with the
whole of our proceedings relative t'e. the Eastern
question. The patience of the public is now fairly
exhausted. We have, up till this moment, literally
done nothing. The Turks have received no assis-
tance from us. They have had to fight their own
battles as best they could. Nor, if what is confi-
dently stated in well-informed quarters be correct,
is there any probability of our pursuing a more
vigorous course for the time to come. We believe
there is no doubt of the fact that Sir Charles
Napier has written home to the Government that
Cronstadt could certainly be taken, and that he
has asked the Admiralty to rescind the orders by
which he is prevented from attacking that impor-
tant fortress. We are sorry to be obliged to add,
th..t we fear it is equally true that Government
have refused to give him the necessary power to
make such an attack.

It would be impossible to overstate the mischief
which has already been done, or to calculate the
amount of injury which will yet be entailed on
England, Turkey, and Europe, by this culpable
inactivity on the part of the Western Powers, if
she ever had any serious intentions of identifying
herself with their Eastern policy ; it encourages
Prussia in her friendship for the Czar : it feeds the
hopes and increases the audacity of Russia ; and it
disheartens and paralyses the Turks. The Czar
must by this time have ceased to fear this country,
and the Sultan to cherish any hopes from it. All
our extensive and expensive preparations for war
have as yet been no better than so much mere idle
display. Nor are those evils of our do-nothing pro-
cedure, which we have pointed out, the only ones.
The prestige of the British name has grievously
suffered, and will suffer yet more seriously, from
the inaction which we have so much cause to de-
plore. If that inaction be continued much longer,
we shall, as the Times of yesterday very justly re-
marks, be covered with ridicule.

llt is due to Lords John Russell, Clarendon, and
Palmerston, to say that the private information
which from time to time reaches us, as to the state
of matters in the Cabinet, leaves on our minds the
impression, that they are in favour of a policy.
more vigorous, and more worthy of the charac-
ter
overruled by
been pursued.
pursued. But
theyt eroafre,le
Englandvare thantold,
oh
uast_
vyoette
d be a
the Aberdeen section of the Cabinet. But why, it
will be asked, do they not, in such circumstances,
resign ? We say they ought. We hold that pa-
triotiom, and a regard for their own individual
characters, would prompt them to the adoption of
that course. They, however, do not seem disposed
to take a step which we think their own honour
their at
aMajoes
tover
v etor hands.tshoen rd If to
ri heads
i te saidhrde
threatti inh
apt e ra
Lordotifvae
dl imperatively
requiresAberdeeneig
her
Derby, and not for either of themselves, in the
event of his being compelled to resign. We should
hope that any menace of that nature would not
deter men, filling such exalted • •
positions, from pur-
suing a course which they deemed to be right.
But, be that as it may, the present state of matters
is, in every sense, unsatisfactory, It is most in-
jurious to the country, and most disastrous to the
national character. It makes people suspect all
public men. They are driven to the conclusion
that private interests are always
statesmen to the national honour and the public
good. We emphatically say, that if Lords John
Russell, Palmerston, and Clarendon cannot pre-
vail on the pro-Russian Premier to prosecute the
war with the Czar, in the way which they think
the exigencies of the case require, they are bound
by every consideration which ought to influence
honourable men to resign the offices which they
severally fill.

UNION BANK OF LONDON.—The dividend declared
at the meeting of the Union Bank of London, held yes-
terday, was at the rate of 15 per cent., and the report
and accounts were unanimously adopted. The chair-
man (Sir Peter Laurie) stated that business has greatly
increased, and that teere is every prospect of its being
maintained. During the past year the assets have been
augmented to the extent of 2,000,0001., the divi.
dent has been doubled, while the interest to customers
is more than twice the amount previously paid.
Special votes of thanks were passed to the directors
as well as to4the manager, Mr. W. W. Scrimgeour,
and it has been agreed to acknowledge the services of
the latter gentleman and his assistants by the appropri-
ation
,at par of the residue of the reserved shares which
are now to be issued to the general proprietary at a pre—
mium of 51., in the proportion of two for every five
msheanrteiso
na tedp
thatresentth
eh ebl
ad n. k fsnn answernot an r
etsot
edqui
nestthi
eo nfisetiittiwouass
owfatrhreanctlserdks
ischoavveeredlatienlycibreceunlatiinocnr,eaasned. and that
tthtehesatlerarmir..
nation of the meeting the directors were requested to
cause a portrait of Sir Peter Laurie, to be painted and
plamceltiainrArtßi
d_b opianredt
E-arcxoheomtme
e.r
n t s
eoeft thed F ofu r tmh
DLight
esteDra-
goons
een dTw
Topshamo bTrowbridge,
route
for Plymouth, and marched
t
gbea'
barracks, The Cearvaalyry rbearracks are oc-
cupied by the 15th Hussars, and the portion of that
regiment which were stationed at Topsham have for the
present been billeted in the city.

The estimate of expenses for the new Depart-
ment of the Secretary of State for War has at
length been published. The total amount is com-
puted at 14,0371. We are not disposed to find
fault with the estimated cost of the new depart-
ment, if the business of the army is to be concen-
trated at last in the hands of a single efficient chief.
There would not, indeed, be wanting persons who
would say that the estimate rendered is either
too little or too much. It is too little, if we ex-
pect that all the responsibilities of the War Depart-
ment, all its arrangements, all its embarrassments
are to be assumed, carried out, and mastered for
so small a sum, while fitting reductions are made
in other departments which have hitherto been
conducted on a footing of independence. It is too
much, if all the advantage the public are to derive
from the change is the creation of another and a
fresh department of war, where too many offices
of a similar character already existed. The esti-
mate, indeed, as it stands, tells us little or nothing
of all we most desire to know. It would be desir-
able to have before us a statement, which could be
comprehended at a single glance, of the various
alterations proposed in the several coequal and in-
dependent departments which, by their united
action, carry on the military business of the coun-
try. If we are to have indeed a Minister of War—
we purposely avoid the ambiguous term of Secre-
tary of War—we should wish for more accurate
information as to the extent to which modifications
are to be introduced into the business hitherto
carried on at the Horse Guards, the Colonial-office,
the War-office, the Ordnance-office, &c. Is there
to be one controlling mind—one Minister who shall
be ultimately responsible for all that is done in the
offices of the Commander-in-Chief, the Master-
General of the Ordnance, the Colonial Minister,
the Secretary at War, &c. If this be so, it would
appear to follow as a natural consequence that the
other high offices are shorn of a portion of their im-
portance, and that the holders of them are reduced
in some measure to the condition of subordinates.
A. t all times it will be necessary to find men of stand-
ing and experience to preside over the various de-
partments, in order that the country and the army
may have confidence in its administrators ; but it
is needless to add that they never can be in times
to come what they have been of old, if the altera-
tions which the public have been lead to expect
are effectively carried out. We must embrace this
consequence of the contemplated change, if it is to
be effected in such a manner as shall effectually
promote the public service. Questions of great
moment must naturally arise as we endeavour to
follow out the details of the scheme ; but they are
not such as are by any means impassible of solu-
tion. We shall be compelled to break, great
measure, with the old traditions of administration,
but any heart-burnings or awkwardness are of
slight moment indeed, when compared with the
inestimable advantage of securing a supreme and
undivided control over the management of this
department, important, indeed, in time of peace,
but which almost absorbs all others during the
war.

-Mr. NAPIER also did so, but only upon the under-
standing that provision should be made in the bill to
enable gentlemen obtaining medical degrees from the
University of Dublin to practice in England.
Mr. ELLIOT contended that provision ought to be
made in the bill to remove all exceptional cases, and so
leave it that a degree granted by a properly qualified
authority should entitle the holder to practice medicine
in'any part of the United Kingdom.
Lord PALMERSTON thought a fair case had been
made out for the University of Durham, but he could not
copsent to make the alterations suggested by the two
Wit speakers. At the same time he was free to admit
that any general measure of medical reform should place
the three sections of the kingdom upon the same foot-
ing ; and he thought some general test might be devised
witicii.should entitle the holder of a degree granted in
England, Ireland, or Scotland, to practise anywhere.
Mr. NAPIER—Of what use, then, is this bill ?
loord PALMERSTON replied that the utility of the
bill bad already been explained, and it was important
that its provisions should be confined to England alone,
salts simple object was to free the graduates of the
London University from the penalties they were liable
to under the Lunacy Act.
Mr. WALPOLE thought the admissions of the noble
lord only showed the impolicy of dealing with the ques-
tion of medical reform by piecemeal legislation. It
would be much better to withdraw the bill and leave it
for the noble lord next session to bring in his promised
measure that should place the graduates of all univer-
sities, no matter whether in England, Ireland, or Scot-
land, upon the same footing. The difficulty which the
noble lord lied started as arising out of the lunatic law,
could be easily got rid of by a short indemnity bill.
Mr. COWAN moved that the chairman should report
pregress, in order that he might move the house to give
an. instruction to the committee to include the universi-
ties of Scotland in the bill.

Mr..HEADLAM observed that the adoption of such
a course would be tantamount to rejecting the bill.
Ur. GROG AN thought the bill was more likely to be
lost if the alteration was, not made.
Lord PALMERSTON said it was useless to think of
extending the provisions of the bill to all the universi-
ties without having previously determined upon some
general test or qualification to practice, to be enforced
al►ke in England, Ireland, and Scotland. The course
they were now asked to take was nothing more nor less
than to jump at a conclusion without having first settled
the premises.

After some further discussion, the committee divided,
when there appeared—
For reporting progress
Against it
The University of Durham was then ordered to be
included in the clause.
Mr. W. MICHELL moved the insertion of words in
the clause, the effect of which would be to break up the
monopoly enjoyed by the College of Physicians.
The committee divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment..
Against it .

Majority —l-47142

Clause one as amended was then agreed to, as were
also the remaining clauses of the bill.

- -
The house resumed.
PROPERTY DISPOSAL BILL.

On the order for resuming the adjourned debate on
the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. MAGUIRE said the bill was at direct variance
with the feelings of the people of Ireland; The Roman
Catholics would view the passing of such a bill like this
as an insult and wrong.
Mr. WHITESIDE who had charge of the bill an-
nounced his intention to withdraw it as it was impos-
sible to dispose of it at this late period of the session.
The progress of the bill had been successfully obstructed
by the minority of the house, but as the bill was based
upon sound principles he should renew it the very first
Opportunity next session. The law affecting the dis-
posal of property by the inmates of convents was so
fUn-
certain and ill-defined that it imperatively call eu
alteration.
Mr. HADFIELD entreated the house to put an end
to these religious bickerings which were disgraceful to a
deliberated assembly.
Mr. NEVIDEGATE said there was a combination in
the house, to prevent the law being extended to Roman
Catholic institutions ; but it was gratifying to know that
the more obstructive that combination became, the more
determined would the people of this country be to have
convents and nunneries brought within the jurisdiction
of the law. He censured the Protestant dissenting
members who were opposed to a State Church for allow-
ing themselves to he made the tool of this combination
of the Roman Catholio section of the h
Mr. SCULLY denied that there ho.
esich combina-
tion amongst Irish members.
The bill was then withdrawn.
JURORS AND JURIES (IRELAND)
BILL.
On the motion for going into committee on this bill,
Sir. J. YOUNG said he had no objection to the
principle of the bill, but it was too late to proceed with it
now. If therefore the hon. and learned gentleman the
member for Enniskillen would consent to withdraw it,
he would undertake, on the part of the Government, to
bring in a bill on the subject next session.
Mr. WHITESIDE complained that this announce-
ment was not made before. It appeared to him that
the Government were not inclined to reform the jury laws
of Ireland, and they were determined that no indepen-
dent member should make an attempt to do it for them.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for IRELAND main-
tained that the Government were sincere in their desire
to reform the jury laws of Ireland.

Mr. MAGUIRE denied that this bill was a measure
of practical reform ; it was rather a measure of confis-
cation.

---Mr. V. Scully, Mr. Thos. Fitzgerald, Mr. R.
M'Mahon, and Mr. Napier, urged upon the Govern-
ment the expediency of bringing in a measure of jury
reform that should embrace England as well as Ireland.
It was essential that the jury laws of tire two countries
should be assimilated.
The bill was then withdrawn.
ABSCONDING DEBTORS' (IRELAND) BILL.
Tait) bill was ordered to be recommitted this day week.
COMMONS INCLOSI7RE (No. 2) BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES (No 2) BILL.
This bill was passed through committee.
LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS'
This bill was BILL.
Passed through committee.
adj The other orders were then disposed of, and the house
ourned at six o'clock.

ACCIDENT AT THE *ULSTER RAILWAY.—On Saturday
last a porter in the employment of the Ulster Railway
Company was severely injured by being squeezed be-
tween the buffer of a lorry and a heap of spare wheeLe, while the loaded lorry was being shunted to a spare
Hue. The poor fellow had several of his ribs broken.

The Emperor Napoleon has been reviewing the troops
at Boulogne to-day, and to-morrow will arrive at Calais.
The good people of this ancient port are anticipating
a great treat. There will certainly be three days' great
excitement. It is a pleasure to witness the excellent
understanding that exists between the two greatest na-
tions upon earth. Long may it continue for the world's
benefit ! The greatest courtesy is shown by the French
authorities ; and the same kind feeling is apparent be-
tween the naval officers of both services, who vie with
each other to promote that harmony that so happily ex-
ists at this moment.