The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-11 00:00:00

INDIAN RAILWAYS.

Mr. RODEN asked the Under-Secretary of State for
India what number of miles of railway the Government
proposes to construct in India, and the estimated rate of
construction per year.

Mr. GRANT DUFF said a sum of three and three quarters
of a million was proposed to be voted for those railways.

FEVER CARRIAGES.

Mr. Jourr TALBOT asked the President of the Poor Law
Board whether it was true that the carriage used for fever
patients in the Westminster Union was usually drawn by
paupers, and whether the Poor Law Board had any means
of putting a stop to such a practice.
Mr. GOSCHEN replied that the carriage was drawn by
paupers. There were always more volunteers for the ser-
vice thau were required, sheering that they liked the six-
pence and the outing which they got for the service. And
he understood that exhaustion had never occurred. but
sometimes fatigue had.
MILITIA OFFICERS.

Colonel CORBETT asked the Secretary of State for War
whether he considered that by the Act 42 George 111., c.
90, s. 170, officers of militia were exempted from serving
as parish officers ; and if they were not, whether he
would take steps to include them in the exemption.

Mr. CARDWELL answered that he took it that the feel-
ing of Parliament was against, rather than for, increasing
exemption.

SCOTCH VACANCY.

Mr. CRADFURD asked the- First Lord of the Treasury
whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Govern-
ment to fill up the vacancy in the Court of Session occa-
sioned by the decease of Lord Barcaple.
Mr. GLADSTONE said the vacancy was proposed to be
filled up, but the person appointed would have to abide
by any rules and regulations which Parliament might see
fit subsequently to e nact.
THE ARMY REGULATIONS.

Major WALKER asked the Secretary of State for War
whether he had considered, and was prepared to remedy;
the heavy increase of mess and band subscriptions which
would be entailed on regimental officers by the proposed
reduction of their numbers, and by the discontinuance of
promotions from the rank of Ensign or Cornet to that of
Lieutenant.

Mr. CAUDWELL said he was not prepared to propose any
measure for the increase of the pay of the officers to meet
such expenses.

PROMOTION IN THE ARMY.

Mr. SINCLAIR ATTOUN asked the Secretary of State for
War whether, in carrying out the proposal to give twenty-
five unattached Lieutenant Colonelcies, fifty Majorities,
and one hundred Captaincies, a; mentioned in his speech
on the estimates, to meet the claims of officers, and
stimulate the rapidity of the absorption on the reduction
of the army, it might be understood that it was intended
to give such promotion according to length of service
from the date of first entering into the service, in con-
formity with the precedent established in 1866, when
Parliament santioned a similar distribution of a certain
number of unattached commissions.

Mr. CARDWELL replied in the affirmative. The course
to be taken would be similar to that taken in 1866. His
Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief considers the
professional claims, and acts accordingly.
(LEFT SITTING•)

1 FRANCE AND ALGERIA.
The French Chambers have been engrossed during the
last few days by a discussion on Algeira. It is proposed
to grant the colony a new constitution by means of a
Senatus Consultum, and there is considerable agitation on
the point, Ohe party wishes to give the colony a separate
and individual existence, believing that Africa differs too
widely from France for the successful establishment of similar
institutions. Another party demands the complete assimi-
lation of the colony with France, arguing that it is too
near at hand to require or profit by a separate administra-
tive organisation. Count Le Hon, whose interpellation in
the Chambers gave rise to the debate, belongs to the latter
party, and claims for Algeria the extension of civil institu-
tions, and most especially the admission of Algerian depu-
ties to the French Chamber. There are. 122,000 French-
men in Algeria, who are unrepresented. Count Le Hon,
who made a long and powerful address, argued that
the military regime had lasted long enough.
Algeria was finally conquered, and a new path
of progressive assimilation should be at once
entered upon. He was listened to with great atten-
tion as having been at the head of the Algerian inquiry,
he was thoroughly acquainted with his subject, and as he
does not belong to the regular opposition, he was not sus-
pecteci of political motives. General Le &But on the part
of the Government, refusedto enter fully into the question
because a Senatus-consultum would shortly be laid before
the Senate. On the second day the debate was still more
animated. It was opened by M. Lefebure who said that
the programme traced out by all the eminent men con-
nected with Algeria,, from Marshal Bugeard down to Mar-
shal M`Mahon had never been realised. Three great
objects had been in view—To maintain the rights of the
natives; to constitute a great European population, and to
fuse together the two elements. Ho summarised the history
of the colony, and the defects in its government. The
colonists had made great efforts, the army tract done won-
ders. How theu were they to explain the little
progress made. M. Le Hon attributed it to the
defects of the military system ; but M. Lefebure
thought they should take the blame on them-
selves. They had .tried every regime in Algeria except
that of liberty. They could see in Algeria the fatal
effects of an excessive centralisation. They had left the
least possible scope to individual enterprise, which was
the secret of the colonial prosperity of England. After so
many victories which had secured for them the
conquest of Algeria let them at last transform that noble
territory by a victory gained over themselves. M.
Lefebure was followed by the Baron Jerome David, who
called forth loud applause from the Centre and the Left,
by a speech in which he declared himself a
convert from the military to the civil system, and
said that he was now convinced that in politics
as in many other things, liberty and common right were
the best auxiliaries. lq. li-4ratry, whose name was so
often before the public in connection with the famous
26th October, strongly denounced the excessive taxation
of Algeria, and demanded the abolition of the Arab
bureaux, and the disarmament of the natives who were now
allowed to carry arms while the colonists were forced to
obtain a licence to do so. He was followed by Jules
Favre, who presented an address signed by 3,640 French
inhabitants of the province of Constantina, asking for
legal representation and the civil regime. In the
course of a long and powerful speech, Mr. Favre asked
where was the necessity for a Senatus Consultum?
A special constitution for the colony would only separate
it still further from France when the inhabitants sought
a closer union. On this point they ought to know the
opinions of the Government. The Ministry was responsible
to tho Chamber, it could do nothing without their consent.
They had then a right to demand an answer. Tho
destinies of Algeria were united to those of France, and
the Ministry could touch neither without the consent of
the Legislative body. It was useless to refer
to the Senate. If the Ministers wished that
Algeria should be represented by deputies let them say so.
only for the satisfaction of Algeria, and for the dignity of
power those deputies must enter the Chamber not by
permission but by the authority of tlie law. If Algeria
was to be reconstituted it must be done by the national
sovereignty. If the Ministry refused to reply
they would be imitating a precedent which
they had often blamed. He had no right to address a
summons to the Ministry. He had the right to judge
them and he used it. But they would be wanting to the
Chamber and to public opinion if they remained
silent. M. 011ivicr, upon this, rose and said the
Government had no intention to remain silent. '
They were only waiting for the close of the debate for
the full expression of opinion. M. Favre thanked the
Premier for his explanation, and withdrew his words. The '
debate continues.

LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET.-(THIS DAY.)

Palo probably 8,000 halve. The market dull.