The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 5, 1869.

derivable from his own Australian experiences. That
speech of Mr. CHILDERS' we are glad to see has within
these last few daysbeen opportunely reprinted, together
with an appendix of singular value and importance
just now, consisting, as it does, of extracts from the
legislative Act of the Parliament of Victoria, by which
the system of Secret Voting by the Ballot was adopted
in the representative organisation of that im-
portant colony. Than that particular system,
we know of no better, that could be sub-
mitted to the consideration of Mr. BRUCE'S
Select Committee. Upon that Committee we would
fain see enrolled, if it might be in any way possible,
besides Mr. BRUCE himself, bis two Cabinet col-
leagues, Mr. CHILDERS and Mr. BRIGHT. Associated
with whom, one would also like to secure, if
that again might in any way be practicable,
such energetic independent champions of the
Ballot as the Right Honourable Sir HENRY
LYTTON BULWI:R and Mr. BENRY FITZHARDINGE
I BERKELEY. Anyhow, it is earnestly to be
hoped that all possible care may be taken in the
selection of its members, for upon the labours of
this coming Committee there will, clearly enough,
devolve a very weighty and solemn responsibility.
It cannot, of course, but have been observed last
evening how very carefully the Prime Minister
endeavoured to guard the Government, of which he
is the head, from the imputation of having for-
mally, as yet, committed itself to the adoption of
the Ballot as a Ministerial measure. "So far,"
he said, "as the collective view of the Govern-
ment is concerned, it can hardly be said—and I
speak under correction—to go beyond this :—lt
is quite evident that the very large extension of the
franchise which has taken place has altered—in some
cases, perhaps, slightly, in many very greatly and
even fundamentally—a number of the conditions
under which elections are carried." Granted that
much, he went to say, " This, then, appears to us a
fair occasion for examining into the whale subject ;
and, undoubtedly, as respects the exercise of the
suffrage with freedom, that has become a matter, if
possible, more vital than at any former time in pro-
portion to the larger number of persons inte-
rested in it." Hence—from a recognition
of all this, and of the distinctly altered
circumstances of the case—the proposition, by
Mr. BRUCE, in the name of his colleagues and
himself, for the appointment by the House of Com-
' woes of this Select Committee of Inquiry. That
proposition has been at once accepted by the House.
The Committee will, in due course, and forthwith, be
formally appointed. At the first notion of it the
late Home Secretary, the Home Secretary under the
two last Premiers—under Lord DERBY and under
Mr. DISRAELI—took occasion to remark, " I
hope the Committee will be allowed to
inquire into the intimidation by mobs." Whereupon
what said the now Premier, Mr. GLADSTONE? Why,
he said manfully and instantly this—" Most cordially
do I hope so too; for no doubt intimidation must
form one main chapter of this inquiry. The commit-
tee, I hope, will endeavour," he added, " to gain evi-
dence on all these questions—on questions that bear
on intimidation by violence, questions that bear on
intimidation in other forms than by violence, ques-
tions that bear on treating and drunkenness, questions
that bear on excessive expenditure, and questions
that bear on bribery ; these being the chief evils
connected with elections." The work before the Com-
mittee may seem considerable, may seem to be some-
what difficult and even laborious ; but, to our notion,
the direction in which it will all tend, or, in other words,
the result eventually tobe arrived at, is also as plain as
a pikestaff. N ever has any matterlong under discussion
been more clearly or more unmistakeably ripe for its
final settlement than this perfectlysimple, and perfectly
comprehensible question in regard to the Ballot. It
works freely, and steadily, and satisf.tctorily, un-
der every system of Government under which it
has been tried. It works thus under a pure Demo-
cracy as in the L'aikd States. It works thus under
a pure Despotism as in the France of NAPOLEON 111.
Above all —it is worthy of more particular note as di-
rectly affecting ourselves--it works admirably, as it has
done ever since it was adopted there, under t he Consti-
tutional and Parliamentary Government inaugurated
in Australia some fifteen or sixteen years ago, under
the personal observation and watchful scrutiny of
one of the youngest no doubt, but also one of the
most keen-witted Cabinet Ministers in Mr. GLAD-
STONE'S Government, the Right Hon. gentleman now
the First Lord of the Admiralty. With Mr. Cum-
w GLADSTONE
DERS in the Cabinet—and Mr. BRIGHT—and
BRUCE—oaf ndi t (awn' el
woifllthaedmd—) Me r.
areG N
g
TuOinEe
at
that the great reform of " The Ballot" will at last,
A in
theß
and as the natural sequel to Household Suffrage,
be triumphantly accomplished.

As Government is prepared to deal with the ques-
tion,
I,3kocAin,ADND,osf
prTortr,oksapri
erightly declined stol D Eaccede ftotl;_ler.
for a select committee to consider the expe-
diency of establishing a Department of Agri-
culture. Commissions and select committees
are not a reassuring resource. They are apt,
in keeping the word of promise to the ear,
to break it to the hope. The best that can be
said of them is that they are a slow and tedious, but
sometimes necessary, means of examining new
schemes of legislation. In this case there is not the
slightest need for a committee, except in default of
more direct procedure, for the grievance which
Mr. ACLAND brought under discussion is not
only of considerable moment, but admits of
gradual and partial reform. It is notorious
that the arrangement of the English adminis-
trative departments is the worst in Europe.
Some of the chief State offices are entrusted with
several distinct duties ; in other cases a single
act of the Executive must be begun in
one office and completed in another. The
War Office has hitherto conspicuously failed
in ruling the army in conjunction with the Horse
Guards. The • great work of education is lamely
done in a branch office. The Board of Trade has
abundance of employment, but though its functions
comprise several distinct duties, the interference of
the Home Office must be sought in the discharge
of nearly all of them. It was this very
ingenuity of confusion that furnished Mr.
BRIGHT with a partial reply to Mr. ACLAND'S
motion. The member for North Devon expressed
the wish of the entire agricultural community in
desiring to secure some well-defined authority over
matters affecting agriculture. At present State
interference in this direction is exercised by half-a-
dozen different offices, whilst proper responsibility is
to be found in none. The Home Office, the Board of
Trade, the Privy Council, the Statistical Office, and
two others, assume some of the functions which
ought to be vested in one central Department of
Agriculture. Such a sub-division, added to a variety
of local authorities, necessarily produces unsatisfac-
tory results. Statistics are not collected with sufficient
rapidity, and are much less useful than they might be.
The unlucky farmer who happens to require the
assistance of a State department meets with such
trouble that Mr. BRIGHT himself recommends the
agriculturists to " come as little as possible to any
Government office." Many chances of important
reforms fall through the sieve of this ill-arranged
administration. But whilst all these departments
interfere, none is responsible if anything goes
wrong. Mr. BRIGHT did not deny that
the system was bad, but urged that the
same grievance was to be met with in every
State department—trade, for instance, was in no
better case than agriculture, It is not clear how the

farmers are to be consoled by the knowledge that
they are no worse off than the merchants ; but
Mr. BRIGHT ended his confession by stating that a
change was contemplated. This will be a better
triumph for Mr. ACLAND than an elaborate bl u
book.

The nature of the proposed reform is not difficult
to define. A Minister of Agriculture is scarcely
required, and would tend to unduly increase the
number of State secretaries. But there can be no
reason why the entire agricultural jurisdiction
should not be concentrated in one branch
of the Board of Trade, or other department.
It is of little consequence what form the
authority is to take, provided that it be well defined,
sole, and responsible. And this species of redress is
the more easy because it may be gradual ; one reform
of the kind will in no respect interfere with another,
and little by little the entire Executive may
undergo a wholesome regeneration. There is much
that an Agricultural Department might do. The
concentration of the work that is already done
would in itself amply warrant the change. But the
member for North Devon pointed out that, with the
aid of legislation, its functions might be advanta-
geously extended. It might superintend the transfer
and improvement of land, especially with regard
to better dwellings for the labouring classes. Then—
though this is a great subject—there is the question of
better internal communication, which a distinct
department might profitably undertake. It might
undertake far more efficiently than at present the
supervision of cattle traffic. The management of
water-courses and river basins is also an important
subject. To these suggestions we may add that the
recent commission on the employment of women and
children in agriculture, said much relating to the farm
labourer generally which this department might well
consider with the help of Parliament. The com-
mission especially urged the great moral and
ykifttcri.i bQnofit which the labourer derived from a
cottage allotment, and pointed out that the Legis-
lature might do something to promote this practice.
How greatly a distinct central authority would facili-
tate this work it is hardly necessary to point out.
These are, however, ulterior questions. The primary
principle of concentration is good, and it is to be
hoped that the present reform will not be the last of
the kind.

LATEST INTELL LUNGE

(lIEU'"ER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

INAUGURAL PROCLAMATION OF PRESI-
DENT GRANT.

WASHINGTON, March 4.

General Grant took the oath of office, at noon
to-day, as President of the United States. The
following is his inaugural proclamation :
" Citizens,—Your suffrages have elected me to
the office of President. I have taken the oath
prescribed by the Constitution without mental re-
servation, and with the determination to do, to the
best of my ability, all that is required of me. The
responsibility of my position I feel ; but I accept
it without fear. The office which has been con-
ferred on me was unsought. On leading questions
I will express my views to Congress when I think
it advisable. I will interpose my veto to defeat
measures to which I am opposed, but all laws will
be faithfully executed, whether they meet with my
approval or not. I shall have a policy to recom-
mend, but none to enforce against the will of the
people. The laws are to govern all, those approv-
ing as well as those opposing them. I know no
method to secure the repeal of obnoxious laws so
effectual as their stringent execution.
"Many questions will arise during the next four
years, and it is desirable that they should be appre-
ciated calmly and without prejudice, the greatest
good of the greatest number being the object to be
obtained.

"This requires security fur the person, for pro-
perty, and for religious and political (minim,.
throughout the country. All laws to secure this
end will receive my bec.t efforts towards their eu-
forcemen t.

" A great debt has been contracted in securing
the Union, the payment of which, and a return to
a specie basis, as soon as can be accomplished with-
out detriment to the debtor, or to the country at
large, must be provided. To protect the national
honour every dollar of the Government indebted-
ness should be paid in gold, unless otherwise ex-
pressly stipulated at the time of being contracted.
Let it be understood that there must be uo repu-
diation of a single farthing of the public debt, and
it will go far towards strengthening our credit,
which ought to be the best in the world,
and will ultimately enable us to replace
the debt with bonds, paying less interest
than we now pay. To this bhould be added the
faithful collection of the revenue, strict accounta-
bility to the Treasury for every dollar collected, and
the greatest practicable retrenchment. Who doubts
the feasibility of paying every dollar with more ease
than we now pay for useless luxuries ?

"Prostrate commerce must be rebuilt and in-
dustry encouraged• _ .

"The young men of this country have a peculiar
interest in maintaining the national honour. A
moments reflection upon our future commanding
influence among nations should inspire ational pride.
How the public debt is to be paid, and how specie
payment is to be resumed,
is not so important as
that the plan should be adopted. The united de-
termination to do
is worth more than divided coun-
sel on the method of doing. Legislation on this
subject may not now be necessary, nor even advis-
able, but will be so when civil law is fully restored
throughout the land, and trade shall have resumed
its wonted channels.

"It shall be my endeavour to execute the laws
in good faith, to collect all the revenues assessed,
and to have them properly disbursed.

" I will, to the best of my ability, appoint only
officers who will carry out this design.
" Regarding foreign policy, I would deal with
nations as equitably as the law requires that indi-
viduals should deal with each other. I would pro-
tect law-abiding citizens, whether of native or
foreign birth, whenever their rights are jeopardized,
and wherever the flag of our country floats. I
would respect the rights of all nations, and demand
equal respect for our own. If others depart from
this rule in dealing with us, we may be compelled to
follow the precedent.

"The proper treatment of the Indians deserves
careful consideration. I will favour any course
tending to their Civilization, Christianization, and
ultimate citizenship.
u I hope for and desire the adoption of the Suf-
frage Amendment to the Constitution.
44111 conclusion, I ask for patient forbearance,
one towards the other, throughout the land, and a
determined effort on the part of every citizen to
share and cement our happy Union ; and I ask for
prayers to Gud on behalf of this happy consumma-
tion."

SOUTHAMPTON, ➢larch 5.

The Hamburg and American Co:npany's steamer
Saxonia, from New Orleans and Havana on the 18th
ult., has arrived here with 71 passengers, $7,269 for
London, $11,600 for Pat is,'and a large cargo, includ-
ing 176 packages of cigars and tobacco, for this
port.

DUNVILLE and Co , Belfast, are the largest
holders of Whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is re
commended by the medical profession in preference to French
Brandy. Supplied in cash and cases for home use or exports.
tion. Quotations on application to Messrs. Danville and Co.
Belfast; or 4, Beaufort buildings, Strand, Loudon W.Q —[Ad-
yertisement,

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROSI OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

PARIS, THURSDAY, March 4.

I am assured that M. Emile 011ivier's book was sent;
before publication, to the Emperor. It is likewise stated
that it met with a very good reception in that high quarter.
It is doubtful, however, if it will meet with
the same welcome from the members of the
Democratic Committee, who are charged with the
task of selecting Opposition candidates for the depart.
ment of the Seine, which M. 011ivier represents. One
idea strikes me in perusing this book. Can it be possible
that new reforms are contemplated, and that this publica.
tion, containing the Emperor's liberal letter, is a not
undesigned preliminary ?

The Presidency of the Senate is becoming a disputed
question. M. Baroche loses ground as the probable sue-
sessor of M. Troplong, whilst M. Drouyn de Lhuys and
M. de Persigny are both mentioned. It is probable,
however, that no definite appointment will be made during
the remainder of this brief session.

The 211j2norial Diploinatirpte and many other Paris
journals are beginning to convince themselves that a
Montpensier sovereign for Spain is an extreme probability,
not to say a certainty. The not very veracious Memorial
says that the Cortes sent a solemn deputation to Dom
Fernandp to offer him the crown, but it was refused. The
Government has, therefore, definitely abandoned a candi-
dature which presented no chance of success. This intelli-
gence seems to be tolerably true in substance, and very
disagreeable is the impression it produces here. The official
papers are gradually assuming a semi-hostile attitude
towards Spain. Any candidate would have been preferred
to Montpensier.
The Figaro states that Madame Alboni receives £l2O a
night for singing in Rossini's new mass.
The weather for several days past has been dreadfully
tempestuous. So violent was the wind at Paris the day
before yesterday that one of the large trees planted more
than half a century ago on the Quai d'Orsay was blown down.
The telegraph wires have been injured in all direc-
tions. Communications are interrupted between Paris
and the provinces, as well as with Italy,. Switzerland,
and part of Germany. The gale has gradually descended
from the North Sea towards the Mediterranean, and the
Bay of Biscay has been given up to a perfect hurricane for
two or three days. A distressing calamity occurred during
the tempest at Havre. The barque Lerida, of Nantes,
was wrecked off that port, which throughout the storm
has been almost inaccessible to ships. The Lerida was
not able to combat the immense waves which beat the en-
trance to Havre. The crew were seen to let go
two anchors, but the cables snapped by the
violence of the tempest, and in a moment the Lerida
was cast against the ramparts, the parapets of which
were beaten by her yards. The spectators who had been
watching the vessel from the shore in the most painful
axiety rushed to the spot with ropes, which they were able
to throw to the persons on board. The whole would have
been brought safely to land had not a passenger and an
apprentice both seized together the same line, which
broke beneath their weight. They fell back into. the
water, and were drowned.

The famous poisoning case at Marseilles did not measure
the depth of iniquity in the South of France. A series of
revelations now being made at Montauban is even worse
than the story of Joye, the herbalist, and his customers.
The details ought never to go beyond the court of justice.
To form an idea of the nature of the crime it will be sufficient
to mention that eight women are all included in one act
of accusation for wholesale abortion and child murder.
No less than twenty-seven charges are preferred against
these eight persons. The rez-de-Mausst'e of the house
inhabited by one of the women was a perfect graveyard.
Four infant skeletons were found in one place,
five in another. The Act of Accusation reads like a
chapter from the history of Rome in the worst days of the
Empire, but unfortunately it is a narrative of real events,
occurring in the nineteenth century.

THE WEATHER TABLE-THIS DAY,

METEOROLOGICAL RETORTS.

Friday,
March 5,
8 a.m.

Nairn
Aberdeen
Leith
Shields
Scarborough
Yarmouth
Helder
Cux haven
Skudesnsas
Ardrossan
Greencastle
Holyhead
Liverpool
Valentia
Cape Clear
Koch es Pt.
Penzance

29'53f.
29'52f.
29'71f.
29-71 f.
2916 f.
29'89f.

'w.N.W.
w
Y.N.W..

Extrema

S. W.

6
2
5
6
21

Pembroke • .
Portem outh
London
C'peGrisNez
Brest
L'Orient
Roche fort
Biarritz
Corunna
Brussels
Paris ..
Strasbourg
Lyons
Toulon 2
Heart's Con-
tent (9 a.m.
local time)

2914 f.
29'95f.
30'01f.
29 95f.
30'25f,

30'18f.
30'18f.
30'56f.
1101 f.
30.04 f.

30'23f.
30'315.
30

W. N. W.
N. W.

N.W.

1'
5
4
2
5
3

I S. S. W.
IW. W
W. N. W.
W. N. W.
N.
W. N. W.

'W.N.W.
W.
W.N.W.
W.N.W.
N.N.W.

N.W.
W.S.W.

30766 r.

c
c.
o. c.
c. 0.!

w. 5 .IV.
IV.S.IV.

0 '0509
0
o'o4
o'ol
o'o4l

I
W. "Isi. IV
E.
E.

N.
W.N.W.