The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-20 00:00:00

PURCHASE AND SALE OF CO3IMIS-

SIONS IN THE ARMY.

The following copy of report upon the evidence
given by Sir C. Trevelyan before the commission
appointed to inquire into purchase and sale of com-
missions in the army, together with a copy of Sir
C. Trevelyan's evidence and statements, and copy
of his letter to the Secretary of State for War,
dated July 1, 1858, has been published : -
Minute of the Secretary of State for War constitut
ing a committee for inquiring into the statement
which Sir C. Trevelyan laid before the commis-
sioners on the purchase and sale of commissions
in the army
In accordance with my letter of the 17th July to
the commissioners on the purchase and sale of
commissions in the army, I appoint the following
gentlemen a committee to examine and report
upon the " statement" which Sir C. Trevelyan
laid before the commission, and which is found at
page 475 of the report presented to both Houses of
Parliament on the conclusion of the inquiry :—Sir
• E. Hawes, Sir J. Ramsden, Sir H. Storks, Sir A
Tulloch, Messrs. Croomes and W. 0. Marsha"
and Captain Marvin.
War-office, Oct. 28, 1857.
Report on Sir C. Trevelyan's Statement Relative
to the Abolition of Purchase in the Army.
• In compliance with instructions contained in the
Secretary of State's minute of the 28th of Oct.
last, we have examined .carefully the statements
laid by Sir C. Trevelyan before the Commissioners
upon Purchase and Sale of Commissions in the
Army. We have assumed that henceforth no
of is to obtain promotion by purchase, but that
every officer who has purchased, or who by service
}•Aas acquired a right by custom to sell his commis-
sion, and who desires to realise its value, will be
paid the regulated price only of his commission by
. the public.
The questions which presented themselves to us
• as likely to lead to the soundest conclusionk in
regard to the effect of the proposed changes were
the following :-
- I. What do the regimental officers gain or lose
• by the following proposed alterations ?
a. Increase of pay.
• b. Relief from the band subscription.
C. Discontinuance of the non-effective allowance.
d. Discontinuance of additional pay for length
of service. and brevet rank.
e. )iscontinuance of rations of provisions abroad.
j: ] )iscontinuance of mess allowance.
q. Discontinuance of agency.
h. Discontinuance of pensions to widows and
. children; except when the officer is killed in action,
i. Taking also into consideration that the officer
would not pay for any of his conunissions.
11. What are the relative advantages (in a pecu-
niary sense) of the present and proposed systems,
taking into consideration the following points ?
a. The result of the foregoing inquiry as to the
• loss or gain of regimental officers.
b. The officer's prospect of promotion under Sir
Charles Trevelyan's proposed scheme of voluntary
and compulsory retirements as compared with his
prospects under the existing system.
c. The estimated number of general officers,
d. The establishment of a staff Corps, with
rates of pay and allowances in lieu of the prese
staff system.
e. The proposed scale of full-pay retirements.
111. What would bo the maximum charge of fa,
pay retirements and half-pay, under Sir C. Treve-
lyan's scheme, estimated by him at—.
Full-pay retirements
Half-pay
80,000
What would be the probable cost of compcn-
spiting officers now in the service, who have pur-
chased their commissions, and who may wish at
ony t •axne to retire from the service ?
V, -Would there be any, and if any, what expense
throw n upon the War-office by the abolition of army
agents ;?
We have endeavoured to arrive at an answer to
these c iiestions with as much accuracy as possible,

PANMITRE,