The Sun.
London, England, 1860-07-04 00:00:00

NEW POST• OFFICE AT EDINBURGH.

In reply to Mr. BLACK,
Mr. COWPER said that no unnecessary delay would
take place in building the new post-office at Edinburgh.
GUNPOWDER BILL.
Sir G. LEWIS brought up this bill, which relates to the
sale, dm., of gunpowder. On the clerk at the table reading
the title as simply " gunpowder," there was loud laughter
in the house.

THE PRIVILEGE QUESTION.
Mr. DISRAELI said the house was under the impres-
sion yesterday that her Majesty's Government would in-
form the house what course they intended to pursue respect-
ing the report of the committee on privileges —(hear):—and
it would be very convenient if the resolutions were now
announced, which they were under the impression that her
Majesty's Government had engaged to submit to the house.
(Hear, hear.)

Lord J. RUSSELL said that the resolutions would no
doubt be placed upon the table that night. (A laugh.)
He was understood to add that they could not be brought
forward before Thursday.
GENERAL OFFICERS IN THE ARMY.

Colonel LINDSAY moved for a select committee to in-
quire into, and report upon, the claims of seven major-
generals to the pay of general officers, who were now re-
ceiving only the half-pay of brevet-majors, and who ac-
cepted the substantive rank upon half-pay upon the terms
and engagements contained in the Horse Guards memo-

•-•••••
rand= of the 25th day of March, 1826, and general order
of the 25th day of April, 1826. The hon. and gallant gentle-
man said that the whole question as to these claims rested
on the state of the army in 1824. It might be said, as it
had been said by the right hon. gentleman on a former oc-
casion, that these general officers, when they accepted half-
pay, accepted all the conditions attached to it, but the con-
ditions on which they accepted it were those of the memo-
randum under which certain terms were promised to them,
and by those terms it was undoubtedly implied that they
could get back on full-pay, if the Commander-in-Chief
would put them on full-pay when they arrived at the po-
sition of full rank general. It could hardly be said these
officers went on half-pay at their own request, for they did
so owing to the promises which were held out to them, and
strictly for the convenience of the service. This was a finan..
cial question, but the difference was only between 9s. 6d. a
day and £4OO a year. The late Secretary of State for the
War Department investigated this claim when it was first
made, and came to the conclusion that they bad a sound
claim; he sent it up to the Treasury, but the Treasury de-
clined to accept that view. In general, the system of un-

attached pay was not to be admitted, but this was an ;x-

ceptionalcase. He thoreforo contended that this case

should be investigated by a committee, to see whether the

claim was not founded in right and justice, as he thought

was.

Colonel NORTH seconded the motion. He remarked
that a bargain was a bargain, and whether it had been made
for the advantage of the officers, or for the advantage of the
country, it ought to be kept. He had fully examined the
case, and he thought a great hardship had been inflicted
upon these officers.

General BUCKLEY thought the house ought to grant
this committee of inquiry, as there appeared to be some
doubt about tte question, It seemed to kint rather aA 1U;

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