The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-22 00:00:00

never believe the Government was in earnest about
economy as long as they maintained a useless expenditure
under this head of £BO,OOO or £90,000. He applauded
the economy exercised by Government in closing Green-
wich Hospital, and maintained that the same principles
should be carried out with reference to similar establish-
ments.

Mr. ANDERSON seconded the resolution, and complained
that while they had reduced the term of office of Military
Secretary to five years, they had done so in order to pre-
serve the larger abuse. Army reformers would require a
greater reform than this ; they would require better-
defined responsibilities, that the Horse Guards should be
remodelled, and that the whole system should be in the
hands of the Secretary for War.
Captain VIVIAN defended the Government policy,
pointing out the steps which have been taken under the
Secretary for War for removing the dual management and
fringing the Horse Guards and the War Office under the
same rule. This they were about to accomplish. As to the
merits of the Commander-in-Chief, he said the Duke of
Cambridge knew more of the intricate detail of military
administration than any man in England. He pointed
out the inconveniences which would result from a five
years' tenure of office of the Commender-in-Chief, and
said that the Government scheme was based on terms
of justice. He hoped the resolution would not be
pressed.
Lord E. CECIL believed that the Duke of Cambridge
was the best man they could find, and until a more effi-
cient one had been discovered for the purpose of carrying
out the plan of selection, they had better cease to say any-
thing about his merits or demerits.

Lord BURY said the Commander-in-Chief had always
shewn himself a master of details, and alluded to his
Royal Highness's recent speech—that he was prepared to
head military reformers, rather than to drag them back—
as an indication of his desire to see a general reform.
Colonel NORTH warmly defended the Duke of Cam-
bridge, and contended that our army was not over-
officered. When her Majesty went to open Parliament
on the last occasion the number of officers of Life Guards
required was two field officers, six captains, and fourteen
subalterns, but it so happened that there were only twelve
subalterns in the regiment, so that more were needed for
the household troops.

Mr. REILLY said that the question of honorary
colonelcies would have to be considered with the question
of retirement. He did not approve of the Commander-
in-Chief being appointed for five years only, and was com-
pelled, therefore, to vote against the motion.
Major DICKSON opposed the resolution, as did also Mr.
B. OSBORNE, who expressed his opinion that a more able
officer never presided at the Horse Guards than the
Duke of Cambridge.
Sir P. O'BRIEN spoke disparagingly of the administra-
tive tact and talent of his Royal Highness, and strongly
supported the resolution, which, however, Mr. H. R.
BRAND hoped would not be pressed to a division.
Mr. CARDWELL regretted the antagonism of Mr. Tre-
velyan on this question, because he was convinced the
hon. gentleman agreed generally with the scheme of the
Government for reorganising the army. It might be
thought, if the division was insisted upon, that the mover
was actuated by personal opposition to the present Com-
mander-in-Chief; and he therefore hoped Mr. Trevelyan
would find it consistent with his feelings to withdraw his
resolutions.

Mr. TREVELYAN, however, declined; and a division took
place, with the following result :

For the resolution
Against

83
201

Majority against llB

Mr. TAYLOR obtained permission to bring in a bill for
the abolition of the Game Laws ; as did also Mr. Rylands
a bill to extend to the whole of Sunday the present re-
strictions on the sale of beer. •