The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-04 00:00:00

Reconstruction of the Ministry.

(From the Times)
The change in the Ministry which was essential
to its continued existence has been made, and not a
moment too soon. The meeting of Saturday was
the turning point in the history of the Cabinet.
We had arrived at a pass where one of the two con-
tending forces must give way. Either the majority
of the Ministry, who were bent on producing a real
and satisfactory Reform Bill, must yield to the in-
flexible resistance of their colleagues—a course of
action fatal to themselves and dangerous to the
peace of the nation—or the dissidents must retire.
We are happy to announce that the wiser choice
was made. The members of the Cabinet who were
opposed to the course prescribed by the majority
placed their resignations on Saturday night in the
hands of Lord Derby, and they were accepted. it
is somewhat startling to find that the minority,
though so powerful hi obstruction, were only three
in number. Lord Carnarvon, Lord Cranborne,
and General Peel are the Ministers retiring from
office. After the hostility to all Reform ex-
pressed last year by General Peel and Lord
Cranborne we cannot be surprised at the step
they have taken. The public will probably not
have been so well prepared for the retirement
of Lord Carnarvon, whose Conservative sentiments
were supposed to have been largely tempered with
Liberal feeling, and whose administration of the
Colonial Office during the delicate negotiations on
the Canadian Confederation was so thoroughly
successful and satisfactory to the delegates from all
the Provinces as to make Lis withdrawal an addi-
tional matter of regret.
The gain to the nation in possessing a united
Cabinet instead of one distracted by discordant
opinions cannot be overstated. The settlement of the
great question of the day, which with divided coun-
sels was impossible, may now be made a matter ef.
reasonable certainty. This, of course, overrides every
other consideration ; but we believe it will be found
that the changes in the Ministry will not impair its
administrative efficiency. We understand the Dtll"°
of Richmond will succeed Lord Carnarvon as Secre-
tary of State for the Colonies. As Lord March the
Duke of Richmond filled important offices of the
i
second rank in the former Administrations of Lori'
Derby, and more recently he distinguished him'
self as the Chairman of the Capital Punishment
Commission. It is generally understood that IA
was invited to join the Cabinet when it was Ars
formed, but was compelled to decline the office be
was then solicited to fill. His abilities will And
ample scope in the administration of the Colonies,
and the highest ambition may be satisfied in a
tempting to settle the questions of colonial policy
which are in actual agitation, if not immediately
imminent. Lord Cranborne has proved the versa
tility of his powers, as well as his energy, at
the
India Office, but Sir Stafford Northcote, who suc-
ceeds him, will bring to the discharge of its duties
equal industry, and probably a more mature knc'we
ledge of the subjects to be considered. Mr. Cav,
will be promoted from the Vice-Presidency of t"0
Board of Trade in succession to Sir Stafford North:
cote, and the ability with which he represented
English views on the International Sugar Connnis-
sion, and his later services on the joint English
and French Fishery Commission, justify his Pr°o:
motion. The vice-presidency of the Board
Trade will be abolished by the bill now passing
through Parliament, and it will not be necessary
to fill it up for the few days of existence still left
to it. It cannot be denied that in General Peel the
Ministry loses a most able administrator of bps
particular department, and one in whom,
araPa
ha'
from his views on the reform question, r
ment and the country placed great confidence. sir
John Pakington, to whom may be applied Sittn2o
Smith's description of Lord Russell, exchanges 1",
administration of the navy for that of the arulo.
and will find at least as much to do in recruit in
th o °
our forces as in reconstructing our fleet. On
other hand, the promotion of Mr. Corry from t!
Education Office to the Admiralty is distinctly t 13,;
taking of a round peg out of a square We! an
putting it in the one for which it NV 111de•1°
was No
one could understand, when the Ministry
formed, what freak imposed upon Mr. Corryi
gnot'
to of
ihis revising
nlciei theee a
at Whitehall
C odaes,
dbatictky
tion. His services as Secretary of the Admi I
hope, to the national benefit as to hilsTlanotidNevillil:esla:tc;rsluicY-
under Sir Robert Peel, as well asg
ministration of Lord Derby, has
knowledge, and his present position givessob.l..le
power. Meanwhile these changes involve
The War .
trifling but temporary drawbacksa
ider
the con
but must of course be postponed, and
mates are the first order of the day for this eveniug'
iivnenthhenulatsitmap.uila;
ue
tionofthe Navy Estimates will probably also
delayed.

Uich
We arc authorised to contradict the report
has appeared in some organs of the press that a confcrenor
has taken place between the Chancellor of the Exche."
and Mr. Gladstone on the subject of Reform. There is
11°
foundation whatever for such a ruraour.