The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-10 00:00:00

THE POLICE.

Mr. BRUCE said that the case of the person; Mac-
donald, who was stopped by a police officer named Coucher
whilst delivering Treasury circulars to members of the
house and charged him with loitering, had been
inquired into, and had the man answered the question
put civilly to him by the constable he would have avoided
the short detention which be suffered. The police had a
very difficult duty to perform, and it was but just that as
much assistance should be given them as possible.

NEUTRALITY LAWS.
Mr. BRUCE, in reply to Mr. Harcourt, said he hoped to
introduce a bill founded on the Report of the Royal Com-
mission appointed to consider the laws of neutrality, na-
turalisaticn, and allegiance during the present session.

THE REPEAL OF THE CORN TAX.
Mr. GLADSTONE said with respect to the cessation of
the payment of duty on foreign corn, it could not be given
up until the approbation of the house had been given to
the substantial principle of the bill which it would become
necessary to pass before the duty could cease.
Mr, AYRTON, in reply to Mr. Barnett, said the proper
time to ask for further explanation on the subjects referred
to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last evening would
be when the subject was resumed next Monday evening.
INDIAN FINANCES.

Mr. G. DUFF in reply to Mr. Mitchell, said the Secro•
tary of State would, on as early a day as possible recom.
mence drawing bills for India.
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC SERVICES.

Mr. FAWCETT roso to move that, in the opinion of
the house, all appointments to tho civil and diplomatic
services ought to be obtained by open competition. He
contended that open competition for Government appoint-
ments would lead to the best results, and entirely abolish
the demoralising effect of giving appointments for political
services rendered. The system at present in practice was
that a member of Parliament was waited on by an influen-
tial member of his constituency, and this person solicited an
appointment for his son ;the member at once proceeded to the
Patronage Secretary of the Treasury, and told .him it was
important for him to secure the support of such and such
a person, and that if he was not obliged more than likely
he would go over to the other side, and the seat would be
imperilled at the next election. The Patronage Secre-
tary, who was always very obliging, on being appealed
to in such terms, eventually said he shall be too happy to
put the name down for the appointment, which, of
course followed at no distant day. Now, when the less
influential of the voters saw that Mr. So-and-so had got
a good appointment for his son or nephew for his exertions
at the last election, and they had got nothing, how could
it be expected that these poorer voters would refuse a £5
note when it was offered them ? (Hear, hear.) To such
an extent had the nomination system been carried that it
was on record that Sir William Hayter publicly boasted at
one of his electioneering campaigns that he had been a
good working member for the borough he represented,
and that he had succeeded in getting no less than 300
appointments for his constituents. (Loud laughter.)
Another case which showed the advantages of open com-
petition was that which had occurred at Cambridge,
where a person of high connection had been publicly
expelled from his college for falsely filling
up an examination paper, and committing other disreput-
able acts. But that was the result of the nomination sys-
tem, and that person, on the strength of his family con-
nection, had obtained a Government appointment, and
now ho was representing his country at a foreign court.
Such a circumstance never could have occurred had open
competition been the rule. (hear, hear.) He thought the
most beneficial results would follow the adoption of the
system he advocated, and ho concluded by moving the
, resolution.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
subject was one of great importance and difficulty, and he
for one could not be classed amongst those who were op-
posed to open competition, but to say that all appointments
for the future should be by open competition alone was an
arrangement to which he could not consent. He thought
that great hardship would result front the passing of such
a resolution as that now submitted, and further he thought
it would be unjust to the Government, because they had
not even had time to consider the subject. They bad been
overwhelmed with work since they had been in office—
(hear, bear)—and knowing that there were some of the
warmest advocates of open competition in the Govern-
ment, he did hope the honourable gentleman
would feel satisfied the subject would not escape
consideration, and that under the circumstances ho would
withdraw his rosolution. If pressed to a division ho
could not give his vote for the reasons he had stated in
favour of the motion.

Lord STANLEY also urged the withdrawal of the
motion, as the pressing it to a division on the present oc-
casion would place many of the warmest advocates of the
'system is a false position. _lf a division was taken he
should not oppose the hon. gentleman, but he should no
give his motion his support.
The house divided. when there appeared—
For the motion .
Agair.st it
Majority

281
... -251

The house then went into Committee of Supply, and a
sum of £1,586,000 was voted on account of the" Civil S:•r-
vice Estimates, which would be equal to a supply for two

months.

Mr. AYRTON said the first intention of the Governmem
had been to take a vote for four months.

Mr. W. HUNT took exception to the original proposal
for taking a vote for four months, and reminded Mr. Glad-
stone that last year, when in opposition, ho had objected
to the Government taking votes for more than six weeks,

Mr. GLADSTONE retorted that Mr. Hunt had omitted
altogether the cardinal point upon which the Opposition
last session had resisted the attempt of the Government to
take votes on account for more than six weeks. That was
the circumstance that the Government stood condemned
by a vote of the House of Commons on a question which
the late Premier declared to be productive of consequences
more formidable than foreign conquest. The objection
now taken was frivolous.
Mr. DISRAELI defended the course pursued by the late
Government, and said the explanation given by Mr. Glad-
stone was not fair.and candid. It was quite evident that
the right hon. gentleman, when he made his rash and
reckless accusation against the late Government was in
perfect ignorance of tho fact that they had introduced and
passed a bill which remedied the very grievance of which
he complained.
After some further conversation the vote was agreed to,
and the house resumed.

After a considerable discussion 'Royal Commissions were
issued to inquire into corrupt practices in the boroughs of
Sligo and Beverley.
The house then adjourned.

COURSE OF EXCHANGE.

Amsterdam Short ... 12 11 ... 12 11
Do
Rotterdam — ... 12 3 ... 12 3]
Antwerp — ... 25 371 ... 25 45
Brussels — ... 25 371 ... 25 45
Hamburgh - ••• 13 11 ... 13 111
Paris
Ditto
Marseilles
Frankfort-on-the-Main ... 1201 ... 1201
Vienna — ... 12 70 ... 12 80
Trieste . 12 70 ... 12 80
..
Petersburg - 311
Copenhagen... ........
Berlin
Madrid..
Cadiz . 49 ... 49+
Leghorn
Milan ... 26 471 ... 26 55
Genoa ..
Naples
Palermo — ... 26 471 ... 26 55
Messina
Lisbon ... 521 ... 521
Oporto ~ 52k ... 521
Rio Janeiro ,
New York

An Englishman relates that he recently dined
in Nevad:i with an editor of that commonwealth, who
inquired after the health of Tennyson and "Thomas T.
Carlyle," remarking—" Them men kin sling ink, they
kin."
L ADVERTISEMENT.] - lion° way's Pills.—Bilious affec-
tions and stomach complaints induced by atmospheric
beat or too liberal diet, if not early checked, aro often at-
tended with serious consequences. When any one finds
his ideas less clear than usual, his eyesight dimmed, and
his head dizzy, while he is indisposed for all exertion,
physical or mental, be racy be quite sure that he is in im
mediate need of some cooling and purifying medicine.
Let him send at once for a box of Holloway's Pills, after
a few doses of which his head will be clear again, his
spirits be elevated, and all his energies restored. Printed
directions for the guidance of patients iu the use of this
admirable 1119aCillt7 are affixed t 9 9yery box.