The Sun.
London, England, 1869-04-09 00:00:00

INDIAN FINANCES.

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

Mr. FA.WCETT rose to move that, in the opinion of
the house, all appointments to the 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 ou 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 bad 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 Wasted 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 advantaees 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 famly con-
nection, had obtained a Government appointment, and
now he was representing his country at a foreign court.
Such a circumstance never could have occurred had opcn
competition been the rule. (Hear, hear.) He thought the
most beneficial results would follow the adoption of the
system he advocated, and he concluded by moving the
resolution.

Tho CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the

subject was one of great importance and difficulty, and he
for ono 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 be could not consent. lie thought
that great hardship would result from the passicg of such
a resolution as that now submitted, and further he thought
it would bo unja.ct to the Government, because they had
not even had time to consider the subject. They had Leen
overwhelmed with work since they bad been in office—

(Lear, hear)—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 es.cap3

consideration, and that under the circumstances ho would
withdraw his rosolut'on. If pressed to a divis'ou ho
could not give his vole for the reasons h 3 had stated in
favour of the motio•i.

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 th e
system is a false position. If a division was taeu ho
should not oppose the lion. gentleman, but ho should not
give his motion his support.
The house divided. when there appeared—
For the motion
Against it
Majority

~ 281
~. -231

LONDON GAZETTE-THIS EVENING.

WAR OFFICE, PALL-MALL, APRIL 9.
9th Regiment of Foot—Ensign H. Gardner to be Ensign.
10th Foot—Ensign Malcolm Wilson to be Ensign.
95th Foot—Ensign Arthur Bowles to be Ensign.
Ist West India Regiment—Lieut. Francis Langford to be
Lieutenant.
Cape Riflemen—Ensign Morton Thrupp to be Ensign.
Lieutenant Francis Lowther has been promoted to the
rank of Commander in her Majesty's Fleet.

Foreign Mail Packet List.

MAILS DUE.

tertralla and New Zealand, via Southampton April 2i
Ditto, via it' useilles ......April 19
13ucnos Ayres, and Monte Video May 4
Ditto, by French packet
Cape Vcrds, by Brazil packet ...... . May 4
Cfpe of Good I.lQpe. Ascension. and St. Helena April 27.
China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton April 10.
')ibraltar, via Southampton April 10
Indla,via Southampton ...... April 10
Ditto, via Marseilles
liana, Egypt, dm April 10.
Ditto, Marseilles April 7
Newfoundland...... ....... ....... April 7
Mauritius, Cape of Good Hope, and Natal. via

Southann ton
Ditto, Marseilles ~ April 7
Portugal .. nay 4.
United States, l anada, California, &0., by British

packet ....April 10
Ditto, by Canadian packet
Ditto, by idled States packet April
Ditto dill( (Baltimore)
West Coast of Africa. Madeira, and Teneriffe iprill9
80,a:fans, via New York
West ladies and Doi& (except Mexico and Baha-
Aprii 13
mas)
Cuba and Mexico April 23
Bermuda, via