The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-04 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1870.

Next week is to open the grand debate to which
we have all been looking forward with more or less
anxiety and expectation throughout the whole of the
recess. Contrary to the usual anticipations formed
on the discussion of a great Ministerial measure, both
parties are probably a little apprehensive of the task
before them ; both are two well aware of the difficulty
of the question, and the magnitude of the interests
involved to see any opportunity for party aggrandise-
ment, or for those brilliant manoeuvres which trans-
form upon her Majesty's Opposition into her Majesty's
Ministers. Ireland an I Irish affairs cannot afford to
be trifled with,and we may reasonably believe that what-
ever their personal feeling or prejudices, the English
Commons will risa, as they have often done be-
fore, to the full dignity of their position, and
prove themselves worthy of the confidence of the
country, by treating this question frankly and
fairly on its:own me►its, with the justice, toleration,
and public spirit befitting the Imperial interests.
A rumour is current that Mr. DISRAELI intends
to open the debate on Monday evening, but
will not oppose the second reading of the
Land Bill. The right honourable gentleman
was unfortunately absent from his place through ill-
nes, on the introduction of the measure, but the
language of Mr. GATIIORNE HARDY gave no indica-
tion of any organised opposition on the Conserva-
tive side of the House. We may hope, therefore,
that the report we have referred to is founded o❑
fact, and that the Conservatives as a body will show
that they are willing to second rather than to thwart
the efforts of the Ministry. The meeting of the
Irish members yesterday afternoon was very largely
atkuded. Nearly every Irish member in London
who is not cflicially connected was present, and the
resolution to support the second reading was almost
unanimous. We need not be sanguine enough to
expect that such unanimity will be preserved; in
fact, before the meeting broke up a second re-
solution was carried declaring that the first was
not to bind its supporters as to matters of detail.
The general fact of agreement in so large a meriting is
quite sufficient. It shows Cult the Irish rt presunta-
tive are inclined to deal fairly with the Government
measure. The difficulties of the task are in all
conscience formidable enough without being
aggravated by factious opposition or unrea-
sonable requirements. The Conservative oppo-
sition, and the Irish representatives alike, will
do themselves more honour in assisting cordially in
the pacification of Ireland, than in obtaining any
temporary triumph through the defeat of an adver-
sary or the delay of a inevitable reform.,

The discharged dockyardmen of Chatham have
drawn up and published in the Standard a statement
of their grievances, and it will be found well worthy
of attention. It contains two hundred signatures,
and enumerates nine hardships. The first is that
they were dismissed at a time when no work could be
obtained, and at an inclement season of the year, at
only one week's notice. It must appear evident to
all unprejudiced persons that if this protest began and
ended with this paragraph it would contain a „severe
censure on the authorities. Seldom, if ever, have
the annals of official blunderinga contained
a more mischievous piece of folly than the pre-
mature and inconsiderate discharge of these workmen.
Surely it would have answered all the desired ends to
have postponed their dismissal until a more genial
season of the year had arrived, and it would also
have been more in accordance with good sense and
kind feeling to have allowed them a longer time to
prepare for the unwelcome change which was before
them. Another glaring error may be found in the
capricious and unfair manner in which men were
selected for discharge._ Some men, with eight and
nine years' service, were doomed, while others, with
only a few months' service, were retained. The fifth
grievance is a special one, and it is a disgrace
to all connected with the matter that such
a complaint should go forth to the pub-
lic.

It appears that ten or twelve men
were discharged without any compensation, having
received, permanent injury in the service, some by
loss of an eye or a band, rendering them unfit for
their ordinary occupations, and many others also were
partially injured. In the list subjoined it is shown
that three of these men ha►d lost an eye each, and
others had received severe injuries. They would not
be received as workmen either in Government or
private yards. We have here a piece of meanness
that bas degenerated into cruelty, and stands out as
a solemn warning to public men not to pursue a
theory too far lest they forget the spirit which should
actuate statesmen in their anxiety to keep to the letter
of the law they have laid down for themselves.

It is difficult to choose one particular passage as most
deserving of comment, when the general purport is
so bad that the whole statement might call forth a
sweeping censure, but attention ruay he profitably
directed to the recent order which has been issued,
dated Jan., 1870, stating that " no hired men must look

for, or expect compensation, or superannuation on
being discharged," which is a great hardship to those
who have worked for years in the dockyard before
such order was issued. Besides this, the order may
be characterized as most prejudicial to the future in-
terests of the service, and quite foreign to the feeling
that has hitherto actuated English statesmen.
It is well to practise a wise economy, but care must
bo taken to render the changes that are effected as
innocuous as possible. The GLA,DSTONE Govern-