The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-13 00:00:00

2112 NAVY.

Rear-Admiral the Hon. Sir H. Reppel,
was on Saturday appointed Commander-in-Chief
on the Cape of Good Hope station, in the room of
Rear-Admiral the Hon. Sir F. W. Grey, K.C.8.,
whose period of command has expired.
Rear-Admiral Sir Alexknder Milne, K.C.8., re-
turned to Devonport on Friday evening, and on
Saturday morning hoisted his flag on board the
■crew steam-frigate Emerald, 51, Capt. A. Cum-
ming, which has received her powder. During
the day Admiral Milne mustered and inspected the
crew of the screw steamship Nile, 90.
The Bulwark, 91, one of the new class of 91-gun

line-of-battle screw steamers now in progress at
Chatham Dockyard is to be built of the following
dimensions :—Length between perpendiculars, 25%
feet ; length of keel for tonnage, 213 feet 9:1-, inches ;
extreme breadth, 58 feet ; breadth for tonnage, 57
feet 2 inches ; breadth moulded, 56 feet 4 inches;
depth in hold, 25 feet 6 inches ; burthen, 3,715 62.94
tons ; the engines are to be of 800-horse power.
The screw frigate Galatea, of 800-horse power, in
the first dock at Chatham, is still in the hands of
the engineers, but she is expected to be completed
early in the ensuing month.
Th• Mars, 80, screw steamer, Capt. J. N. Strange,
arrived at Spithead on Saturday morning from
Portland. Her crew will be paid wages, and granted
leave ashore.

The screw steam ship The Royal William, 90, was
placed in Keyham-basin, Plymouth, on Friday, to
receive her machinery':
The screw steam-ship Majestic, 80, Capt. Mends,
C. 8., went from Plymouth Sound on Friday into
Hamoaze to be docked and to have her bottom
cleaned and Kingston valves repaired. She was
taken out of dock on Saturday, and will probably
gl into the Sound to-day (Monday).
The screw steam vessel Alacrity, 4, Commander
Baird, at I)evonport, was taken out of dock on Fri-
day. She will probably leave Plymouth Sound to-
day (Monday) for the Mediterranean.
The Dasher, 3, paddle, Commander E. G. Hore,
arrived at Portsmouth on Saturday from the Chan-
nel Islands.

Her Majesty's paddlewheel steam sloop Alecto,
6, commissioned by Commander Rabv, on his re-
moval from the Weser (unsuccessfully *fitted out and
despatched for the River Plate) sailed from Wool-
wich on Saturday for service, it is stated, on the
west coast of Africa.
.The whole of the available
officers and crew belonging to the Weser were trans-
ferred to the Alecto, the complement having been
made up to 100 of all ranks, and altheubli the trans-
fer commenced as recently as the 27th ult., the ship
was in complete readiness for sea on Thursday last.
After swinging at Greenhithe for the adjustment of
compasses, &c., she will sail to-marrow for her
destination, calling at Portsmouth and Plymouth,
at which latter place she will receive her final
orders.

The paddle-wheel steam storeship Rhadaman-
thus, Master Commander Sturdee, left the steam
basin, Woolwich, on Saturday, for Portsmouth and
Plymouth, having numerous cases of steam gear
fer the Duncan, Rinaldo, Sutlej, and Prince of
Wales, at Portsmouth, and 40 supernumerary lads
and seamen for Plymouth, together with machinery
for the Jason, Narcissus, and Howe.

The gunboat Louisa, Lieut.-Commander Thomas
W. Oliver (tender to her Majesty's screw steam
guardship of Coastguard, Edinburgh), sailed from
Woolwich on Saturday, after repairs, to resume her
station at Leith.

The paddle-wheel steam tender Sprightly, G.
Allen master, from Portsmouth, with 50 supernu-
meraries, men and boys, arrived at Plymouth on
Saturday.
The lighter Siubad, W. Moore master, having
discharged mouldings, was put out of dock in Key-
ham on Friday. Th's lighter Tortoise, 11. 1-Risking's
master, left Plymouth on Saturday for Pembroke.
The utmost activity prevails in Chatham Dock-
yard among the contractors and others employed
on the several works in progress for enlarging and
improving that establishment, in order that the
whole may be completed within the time required
by the Admiralty. In addition to the works com-
pleted and those in progress, the Lords of the Ad-
miralty have decided on an extension and improve-
ment of the dockyard by means of convict labour,
the convicts from the establishment at St. Mary's
being employed for that purpose. The improve-
ments contemplated will involve an outlay of
£160,000, a portion of which has been already
expended, leaving the sum of £127,000 as still
required to complete the works. The repair
and improvement of No 1 dock, together with
tne river wall at the entrance, is to be effected
at an outlay of £4,000, in addition to which the
mud which has accumulated in the harbour at the
entrance to the docks is to be removed, at an esti-
mated cost of £2,000. There are also to be several
minor alterations undertaken, including foundations
for the new machinery to be erected, the sum re-
quired for that purpose being £2,000, exclusive of
£1,500, for the erection of new machinery. The
total estimated amount required for the works to be
performed at Chatham Dockyard for the ensuing
year is nearly £30,000, which sum has been inserted
in the estimates and laid before Parliament.
The following appointments were made on Sa-
turday, at the Admiralty :—Lieut. G. Stratton, to
the Eagle ; T. It. T. Quin, second master to the
Forte; and C. E. P. Hall, paymaater to the London.

On Friday night the volunteers, comprising the
company raised by Mr. Charles Ratcliff, brother of
Sir John Ratcliff, late Mayor, met that gentlernau
at the Town Hall.

Captain J. Oliver Mason introduced Mr. Charles
Ratcliff, and congratulated the volunteers on their
good fortune in having such a gentleman to act
with them, and to be their future captain, and con-
cluded by giving them some excellent good advice
as to their future conduct and conformity 'to the
discipline which would henceforth be required of
them.

Mr. Charles Ratcliff, on rising►, was very warmly
received. He expressed the high gratification it
gave him to meet the volunteers now present, and
placed iu plain practical language before them the
fact that they should well consider the importance
and responsibility of the step they were about to
take ; to listen attentively to the rules for the ob-
servance of the corps ; and if any one present felt
doubtful of his capacity to obey them, that he should
at once retire, and not commit himself by the oath
of allegiance, or join the movement for pastime or
display, instead of legitimate purpose, namely, self-
imposed duty. After expressing his hope that his
company would never disgrace the uniform they
were about to wear, or be wanting in duty, Mr. C.
Ratcliff then read the rules, as approved by the
Secretary of War, and stated that either Major
Sanders or Captain Mason would give any explana-
tions of them that any one present might require,
but every one present appeared perfectly sati►fied,
and not a single inquiry was made.
Ninety-six volunteers were then sworn in by
Major Sandars and Captain Mason.
This is the first example in England of a gentle-
man raising a company and clothing them at his
own expense.

THE WAR DEPARTMENT AND THE
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
On Saturday evening a special general meeting of
the London Scottish Rifle Volunteers was held at
the Scottish Corporation-hall, Crane-court, Fleet-
street, to hear the result of a recent correspondence
between Lord Elcho, the officer in command of the
corps, and Earl de Grey and Ripon, the Under-
Secretary for War, on the question of to what, if
any, extent the principle of popular election is to
obtain in the appointment of officers of the corps.
In one of the rules which the corps had unanimously
adopted for its internal government, that prin-
ciple was distinctly recognised, but when the
regulations came to be submitted to the Marquis
of Salisbury, as Lord Lieutenant of the county of
Middlesex, his lordship struck his pen through
the recognition of the popular element, and Earl
de Gray and Itipon, on an appeal being made to
him in his official capacity, supported the course
taken by the Lord-Lieutenant. The executive com-
mittee of the London Scottish Volunteers, of which
Lord Elcho, as the commanding officer, is chairman,
then proceeded to elect the officers of the corps, and
the names of the members so chosen have since been
submitted to the Lord-Lieutenant for approval.
Some dissatisfaction, in the meantime, has been felt
by the rank and file of the corps—one of the largest
in the metropolis—at being deprived of all share in
the election of their officers, and the subject has
more than once been warmly discussed among
them, Saturday evening being the most recent oc-
casion. Previous to the meeting the corps had been
drilled for some time in the snow in Old Palace-
yard.
Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Elcho, who wore the
uniform of a private of the corps, addressed the
meeting. He said, at their last meeting he read a
memorial signed by 43 members of the corps, ex-
pressing a wish that a general meeting should be
convened to consider the mode of appointing
officers of the corps. He stated at that meeting
that if those gentlemen, or any other members of
the corps, would draw up a memorial on the sub-
ject, respectfully worded, he would present it to
the War-office. It would be in the recollection of
the meeting that. the committee of the corps, of
which he was chairman, drew up rules for its regu-
lation, one of which—the 1 lth—was to the effect
that the commanding officer should appoint persons
for commissions to the Lord Lieutenant after con-
sulting with the council, and after having submitted
the names to a general meeting of the corps, who
should be entitled to exercise a veto on each name
so submitted. That resolution was drawn up by
the eommittee from a desire that in appointing
officers they should have some means of ascertain-
ing what gentlemen would be most agreeable to the
corps ; at any rate, that they should not appoint
any who might be disagreeable to the members at
large. It was adopted unanimously, at a general
inciting held at the United Service Institution, and
he stated at that time that it would be but waste
paper until it received the sanction of the authori-
ties. When the rules were submitted to the Lord
Lieutenant for his approval, he deliberately drew
his pen through that part of them which gave to
the corps a veto on the appointment of officers. He
(Lord Elcho) did all in his power to induce the
Lord Lieutenant to retract his decision, but in
vain ; the answer being that it contained a recog-
nition of the principle of popular election, which
was not sanctioned by the Crown, and therefore it
could not be allowed to stand. He then went to
the War Department and saw Earl de Grey and
Itipon, the Under-Secretary, on the subject, but
with no better result. At a inciting of the corps ou
the previous Saturday evening, a member got up
and told him (Lord Elcho) substantially that he was
not worth Lis salt, because he had not succeeded in
overcoming the objections of the Lord Lieutenant
and the authorities at the War Department. (A
laugh.) To that taunt he replied that he was sorry
he had taken nothing ny his motion in that respect,
but that he was bound, as a good subject, to obey
the powers that be. The member in question said
the corps was being ground down by tyranny—(" No,
no")—and that he (Lord Elcho), living in the reign
of Queen Victoria, was endeavouring to command
the corps on principles which obtained in the time
of the Stuarts. (A laugh.) In one sense lie believed
that was so, remembering that in those days the
punishment of the pillory was in use, and seeing
that at the meeting in question he had been pelted
for three hours—morally he meant—(a laugh)—
with eloquent denunciations for not having suc-
ceeded in doing what he had been most anxious to
do. It was said that other corps had exercised a
voice in the election of their officers, and why not
this ? He was asked to cancel the appointment of
the officers, but lie said he could not do that even if
he were disposed, which he was not, for the names
had been sent in to the lord lieutenant. " Oh," said
a member of the corps, " you can get over that, be-
cause the names have been returned to you in con-
sequence of your having forgotten to add the Chris-
tian names." His answer to that was that the names
had not been returned to him in consequence of any
such omission, but, even if they had, he need
scarcely say he should certainly have declined to
take advantage of such an error. (Cheers.) The
discussion ended in the adoption of a motion, at the
instance of Mr. Robertson, that a general meeting
should be convened for the purpose of discussing
the question at issue. The subject, indeed, was one
which did not affect the London Scottish Corps
only. It was a question between the War Depart-
ment and all the volunteer corps in the kingdom.
(Cheers.) In that view of the case lie had thought
it desirable to obtain, if possible, some authoritative
decision on the matter, which might serve as a guide
to all volunteer corps, present and future. He had
such an authoritative decision now to communicate,

the Council, and after havin., submitted the names to a
general meeting of the corps, who should be entitled to ex-
ercise a veto on each name so submitted. This latter part
of the rule, which gave a veto to the members of the corps,
was objected to by the Lord-Lieutenant, and your lordship,
on my bringing it under your notice, said that you could
not sanction th principle of popular election, which it to a
great degree recognised. Acting upon this, I, after having
ascertained the views of the Council, recommended certain
gentlemen to the Lord-Lieutenant for commissions. This
course, however, on my part, and the alteration of the•Tule,
have given dissatisfaction to some members of the corps,
who say that other volunteer corps have been allowed to
elect their officers, and a resolution was passed to convene a
special meeting of the corps to consider the subject. I should
therefore be glad if your lordship would kindly inform me
whether any other corps have had any rule sanctioned by
the War-office which gives them in any way the power or
privilege of electing their officers, and whether, while refus-
ing your sanction to the principle of popular election, your
lordship would approve of commanding officers, before
making reeonanendations for which they would be respon-
sible, hiking what steps may appear to there to be must
expedient, with a view to finding out who are the persona
who would as officers be most acceptable to their corps.—l
remain your obedient servant, " FActio."

To that letter Earl de Grey replied as follows:

" Feb. 9,

"My Lord,—l have the honour to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your lordship's letter of the 7th inst., on tke subject
I of the mode of appointing officers in volunteer corps, and
having special reference to the case of the London Scottish
Rifle Volunteers, under your command.
" Your Lordship is aware that the appointment of officers
in the volunteer force is vested by Act of Parliament in the
Lord-Lieutenant, subject to her Majesty's approval.
"With this provision of the law the Secretary of State
has, of course, no power to interfere, even if he desired to do
so; but Mr. Herbert, feeling that it is desirable that officers
should be appointed to volunteer corps whe are acceptable to
those whom they are to command, has mentioned, whenever
any corps has wished it, the adoption of the system laid
down in the model rule No. 5, whick is to the following-
*feet

" ' The officer in comman.l will propose gentlemen to the
Lord-Lieutenant forcommissions as officers. but the appoint-
ment of all officers is vested by Act of Parliament in the
Lord-Lieutenant, subject to the Queen's approval.'
" It is not in Mr. Hcrbert'r power, consistently with the
requirements of the law, to lay down any further rule.
"When, therefore, the regulations proposed for the Scot-
tish Rifle Volunteers came before him, he could only con-
firm the objection taken by the Lord-Lieutenant when he
forwarded those rules to those provisions which tended to
recognise officially a right of veto, if not of election, in the
members of the corps in respect to the persons whose names
should be submitted by your Lordship as officers command-
ing to the Lord. Lieutenant for appointment as officers.
"Under these circumstances, I have to inform your Lord-
ship, in reply to the questions which you have put to me,
tha.tue rule has been sanctioned by her Majesty which rer•-g-
-nise.s a right in the members to elect their officers, but that
Mr. Herbert can have no objection to commanding officers, be-
fore making recommendaticns for which they would bo re-
sponsible, taking what steps may appear to theta most ex-
pedient with a view to finding out who would, as officers' be
most acceptable to their corps.—l have the honour to be,
my lord, your faithful servant,

"DH GREY AND RIPON,"
(Cheers.) There, then, was the law distinctly laid
down by responsible Ministers of the Crown—Mr.
Herbert and Earl de Grey; and he could only say
that he was delighted to End them disposed to re-
cognise the exercise of a discretion on his part, as
the commanding officer of the corps; and, in every
future election, as vacancies might arise, he should
endeavour to ascertain the feelings of the members
at large before making the nomination. (Cheers.)
The question rested now between the corps and the
War Department, but, subject to the condition
stated in the letter of Earl de Grey, it also rested
between the corps and him (Lord Elcho). (Hear.)
His object in holding that correspondence was, that
the corps should have officers over them whom they
thought woald give satisfaction, and in whom they
could piece confidence—(hear)—and they might
rest assured that he would endeavour in every
cue to meet their views, and to make the most
judicious appointment whenever a vacancy arose,
(Hear, hear.) Before resuming his seat he might
say the meeting was aware that her Majesty had
been graciously pleased to announce her intention
of holding a special levee for the reception of the
officers of volunteer corps throughout the kingdom.
He had received a letter from an officer of the corps
ander his command wishing to know whether he
would be permitted to attend the levee in his uni-
form. To that inquiry the only answer he (Lord
Elche) could give was that he himself meant to
attend in his volunteer uniform, and he did not
apprehend that he should be refused admission.
Mr. WILSON, a member of the corps, said, while
he should not be disposed to question the grounds
on which the Lord Lieutenant might recommend
persons to her Majesty for commissions, he, for him-
self, could not recognise the fairness of any choice
of officers which did not to some extent proceed on
the principle of popular election. (Hear.) At the
same time he was not prepared to say that popular
election, without any control on the part of the
commanding officer, would be a proper thing.
(Hear, hear.) He believed it would have been
more desirable if the election had rested with the
members of the corps and the veto with the man-
manding officer. He could not doubt that the ener-
getic way in which Lord Elcho had acted in this
matter would give a fresh start to the London
Scottish Volunteer Corps. (Hear, hear.)
Professor MsssoN (who is a working member of
the corps) thought his lordship had taken the
proper and necessary step to bring this matter to an
issue, and had elicited a statement from the 'Par
Department which, though exactly corresponding
with the knowledge which the corps had before-
hand of what was permissible, indicated that the
authorities there would not interfere with the dis-
cretion of the commanding officer in taking what
steps he chose in the future election of officers to
ascertain which of the members of the corps would
be likely to give most satisfaction in that capacity.
When other corps appeared to be doing all they
wished in the election of officers under the existing
law, members of this corps had asked why they
could not do the same. Lord. Elcho had taken
the necessary step to satisfy his own mind whether
the course adopted in the other corps might obtain
in this. He (Professor Masson) was of opinion
that all that was purely civil and administrative
in the management of the corps should spring
out of the corps itself, and all that was military
should emanate from the commanding officer.
(Cheers.) It was of the very essence of this volun-
teer movement that that should be so ; and, unless
that principle were recognised, the movement would
not be what it ought to be. He trusted that Lord
Elcho would carry on the movement still further
and further, intimately identified and connected
as his lordship had been with it from the
very first, and setting an example as he
had done in attaining by laborious practice among
the rank and file the honourable position of a really
effective working volunteer rifleman. (Cheers.)
Now that this question of disputed jurisdiction had
been settled, the corps would cheerfully obey his
Lordship as their military head ; but, he repeated,
the civil administration of the corps should spring
from itself, because in that, among other respects,
lay the difference between a paid soldier and a
volunteer. (Cheers.)
Mr. ROBERTSON moved a resolation to the effect

that the meeting, having heard read the letters of
Lord Elcho and Earl de Grey and Ripon on the
election of officers, desired to express its thanks to
Lord Elche for the promptitude and spirit with
which he had acted in the matter, and its complete
satisfaction with the reply of the Government.
Professor MASSON said he would willingly second
the motion, provided the expression that the meet-
ing was " satisfied with the reply of the Govern-
ment" did not commit him to the supposition that
the Government might not have gone further in the
matter. (A laugh.) He was, however, satisfied
with the practical upshot of the matter.
The resolution, after Dr. CORMACK and another
member of the corps had spoken to it in approval,
was put and carried with acclamation.
The corps then by a spontaneous motion gave
three lusty cheers for the Queen ; another round
followed for Lady Elcho, and with that ebullition
of enthusiasm the prockdings terminated.

THE VOLUNTEER UNIFORM.
The following circular has been issued :
" War-office, 1860.
~ sir,--I am directed by Mr. Secretary Herbert
to forward to you the enclosed specification of the
uniform recommend/it fur artillery and rifle volnn-