The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-29 00:00:00

...., _
corps rising by promotion within that c rim, and raver • would be desirable to offer a certain number of commis..
going back to regimental duty, would be suitable to sions from time to time for competition in our great 1
the British army. It would create a separate class, public schools, which would give an impetus to a well-
which will be regarded with the greatest jealousy, and educated cites of young men to enter the priny who
I believe the best feature of our system is that the staff night otherwise experience El' nos difficulty in obtaining
officer, when not employed on the staff, goes back to his a commission. It :souls not then be simply the aristo-
ordinary duties and mixes with the regimental officers. craiic class who would get commissions, but also men
I am not prepared to give an opinion as to the principle i who had earned them by their own ability and exertions.
of a competitive examination for first commissions, but i It was not, however, only the able mathematician or the
when once you have men who are good officers in your skilful constructor of fortifications that made a man a
service I see no objection to competition for staff ap- good officer. To be tshoroughly efficient in his profess
pointmente, or for admission into the staff school. I pro- sion he must also have a liberal education, and, as the
posed last year that those officers who most distin- late Sir Charles Napier bad observed, the best officer,
guished ,h mesh es in t xtroinatior e for promotion should i after all, was the English country gentleman. (Hear.)
compete for admission in the staff schools ; and I think Lord PALMERSTON.—I am sure my hon. and
I understood that it is now the intention of her Majesty's gallant. friend (Sir De Lacy Evans must be well satire
Government to establish an examination for the staff. I )
fled
with the interesting discussion which his resolution
understand the arrangement proposed by the general
order that any officer nominated to the staff should be has elicited. The matter is one of the highest interest
required to submit to examination by three officers ap• to the country, and those gentlemen who have expressed
pointed by the Horse Guards is to be abandoned. Such their opinions in the course of the discussion are all
an examination would come down to the candidate, and men who appear by their professional pursuits', or by
would not attempt to establish a standard to which he
should rise. I consider that you ought to have a per- the attention they have devoted to this interesting topic,
manent body of examiners, who would subject all candi- to be highly competent to arrive at a sound conclusion
da'es to an equal test, and would be competent to ascer- in reference to it. Upon the general necessity—l won't
tain whether the attainments of candidates were the even hewer it; so far as to call it the expediency—of
result of craminifig, or of study and application. (Hear, securing a good education to the officers in the army,
hear). I think, also, that the education of the staff
I think everybody who has thought for a moment on
should apply to aides-le-camp. They are required to
discharge most important duties, and very high respon- the subject must be only of one opinion. There is this,
sibility frequently attaches to them. Although ,t is not however, to be considered, that any examination into
their duty to direct operations, but to convey orders) merely intellectual attainments can afford you but an
circumstances may change before they arrive at the point imperfect standard as to the qualifications of an indivi
to which they are despatched, and they may be called
upon to exercise consideraLle discretion. If they are
dual for military employment. (Hear, hear.) There
only to be the bearers of messages, that duty might be are three requisites for making a good officer. There
as well performed by ordinary Dragoons. They are is first of all general intelligence, and that ordinary
usually in personal attendance on the officers in corn- education which a gentleman is supposed to have ob-
mend, and they are sure to be mentioned in despatches rained ; next, there is proficiency in his profession—in
and to obtain promotion, for the generals to whom they
those matters which are
for thoroughly military, and which
are attached naturally speak of duties which are pei -
do not belong to a general literary education ; and above med under their own eyes. Ido not say that a
general officer may not be allowed to choose his own all, in the third place, there are those constitutional
personal staff, but he should be limited in his choice to qualities which are eminently and beyond all others im-
those persons who are on the list as having qualified
portant in the composition of an officer. (Cheers.) Un-
, doubtedly my right hon, friend the member for South
themselves for those duties which they
wil' Wiltshire (Mr. S. Herbert) has observed bow few greatbe called upon to perform. I beg pardon of the house for
generals the history of • this country hat recorded. He
detaining them upon these points, bu'e what I want to
m
see is that the examination for the staff should be made might have gdneralised that observation and extended it
sed
as practical as it is possible to make it. I see from the
to the whole civilised s
report of the commission appointed to inquire into the
constitutional qualities, world, for that combination of
education in foreign countries, that in Austria the exa-
-11 general knowledge, which united make a great military
i of military attainments, and of
mination is not only one of intellect, but that personal leader, is perhaps one of the rarest things things you
ca
n find in the whole range of human nature—(hear,
and physic il qualities are taken into consideration. I hear)
—anti and accordingly there are fewer men recorded in
tempt it if we wish to arrive at any practical result.
know that we shag find it very difficult, but see must at-
)
history who have been great generals than those who
h
I cannot sit clown without mentioning the name of one have excelled in other pursuits. The first examination
of a young man who is to enter the army ought to be a
gentleman who more than any one else has been instru-
standard test to show that he has received the liberal
mental in bringing this question forward—l mean Mr.
e
Gleig, the chaplain-gen. sal. That gentleman has beenducation of a gentleman, and that be is possessed of
mental and natural qualities which indicate that he is a
one of the principal motive powers in stirring up this
question at the War-office ; and when I had the honour young man of capacity and industry, and likely to excel
of being connected with that department I derived the in advancing himself in the knowledge of his profession.
I think it most essential and wise to propose that the
greatest possible benefit from his advice and assistance,
fi-
and I have the greatest pleasure now in giving him the first examication shall not apply to purely military at
credit he so well deserves, (Hear.) I regret, I must say, tainmente. A young man of the age to enter the army
the delay which has taken place in dealing with this should be examined upon those general branches of
which
question. During the lest year that I had the honour of
education to
(Hea every young man ought to devote
being Secretary at War, I laid upon the table a plea very
his time. r, hear) `s be he has received
much like the one which has now been laid before us, his commission, and after he ha been a certain time
and which I hope will be carried out. Tee late House in his regiment, his commanding officer has an
of Commons received the plan which I proposed-with
opportuni.y of seeing whether he possesses those other
urpose,
qualities which fit hintto rise and to distinguish him-
great indulgence, and, what was more to the
they voted the money for carrying it out; butp,neither
self in the profession. The competitive examination for
the staff seems to meet the general approbation of the
last year nor this year have I seen anything about the
House. (Hear.) With regard to the strictness of the
matter in the estimates. lam willing, however, to
exercise patience, and I hope that next year the hon.
examination, I quite agree with the right hon, gentle-
baronet* will be prepared to ask for a vote to carry out a man the member for Wiltshire—there is always, in a
plan which will be satisfactory to the country and ad-
standard examination, some danger that it will fall too
low. I think, however, the arrangements intended to
vantageous to the efficiency of the service. (Hear.)
Major WARBURTON wished, as a member of one of be made, thay the examinations are to be conducted by
the instructive corps of the service, which had hitherto examiners periodically changed, not belonging to any
shall not fall below the point to which it ought to
received little encourageetient, to express the gratifies-official establishment, and: partly civilians and partly
military men, will sufficiently secure that the examina-
tion which bo had felt at the announcement of the hon.
dobaronet. That announcement would give new life and
energy to many au unfriended man in the army, who
be reduced. (Hear.) There is in competitive exemiea-
tion, on the other hand, the danger of going too high ;
would now see a fair field open for the development •
to his abilities, inasmuch, as those valuable appointments and I must submit that in many exeminations, not ex-
which had hitherto been open only to persons who pos-
eluding the Universities and other systems, the ex-
sessed interest and connexion would now be open to all, aminers, from the natural feeling that what every man
It was of the greatest importance that the staff college dots should be done as well as possihle p ace a little too
should be open to members of the instructive corps of the high the standard to which they submit the competition
serv.ce. In the case of the ordnance corps the system
of candidates. More especially, I should say, with re-
of c nnpetition had hitherto proved most successful, and Bard to mathematics, there are limits beyond which no
that system
ea. would, he hoped, be fully carried out to its Practical advantage is gained in straining the mind in
utmost e
attaining abstract knowledge, for which in after life
Sir x
there is no imrnedi ate or practical use. (Cheers.)
W. CODRINGTON did not think that competi- Therefore, 'a great deal of discretion is required in
titive examination for a first commission was advisable, persons who examine to see that the examination
as to establish that principle might shut out from the turns upon matters which will be useful in the lice
army that particular class of men who made the best soh-
which the young man who is examined is intended to
diets. As regarded the particular education for the follow, and that he is not taxed beyond the useful amount
staff, he did not quite understand the extent to which it which he may be expected to attain. The result, ifexaminations' are carried too far, no doubt is that you
was proposed to be carried, and he did not think that it are n.pt to get a young man who is endowed with a very
would be worth » bile at present to enter into any de- retentive and sometimes to lose a young man
8 E.llie memory,
andwhose romotitude and
tails upon the subject. The general principle appeared
readinesst 'in action make him theP more. useful in
to be admitted that there should be a competition among
the service (hear, hear); you get a man whose mind is a
officers of the line for an entry into the staff college. complex dictionary, instead of a man whose mind is
Now, this difficulty *would arise with regard to the staff. created for energy and action, (Cheers.) In the devising
Was the staff to be a distinct staff corps for England, a system applicable to military education, the fist part is
or were officers to be takeu from regiments out of the completed,o
ta State
r and,tiio Warm my hon.
tfinriee
,%td
hagth e U.
said,
e r - S e c r e t a ry
will be irn-
country I If officers of a regiment on service i 9 India or I
mediately laid on the table of the House. The remain-
the colonies were allowed to came home to be examined ing, portions are under consideration, and will, no doubt,
for staff appointments the effect would be detrimental to be prepared with tho same views with which the portion
the efficiency of the service ; and if they were not allowed already prepared has been completed. The resolutions
to come home, then how could the best men throughout of my hon. and gallant friend seem to me to be a little
the service be chosen by competitive examination ? There too much in the affirmation of points still under considera•
were one or two points in the resolution of the gallant Cott. I am quite prepared to agree to the main
general to which he was not disposed to give his con- principles upon which the resolutions are founded.
currence, and one was that part of the resolution which But at the same time when be sees that the
referred to the appointment of a council of education. council to whom the matter has been referred by her
As he understood the gallant general, his proposal was Majesty's Government are still considering many of the
that the council should be especially under the Secretary points on which his resolutions touch; I would submit
for War acting independently of the Commander in to my boil and gallant friend whether he may not either
Chief, and that its duties should be to examine persons be satisfied with the discussion and wait to see what is
for the staff, taking away from their regiment for that proposed in the next session, or, it he feels that this is a
purpose officers on full pay. lie did not think that matter of such deep interest that he is anxious the house
it was advisable even in matters of a civil nature
that the Secretary for Tar should be able to interfere -should record its concurrence with him, by some slight
modifications of his resolutions affirm the general prin-
with the responsibility of the Commander-in-Chief for ciples without tying down the Government to particular
the education and efficiency of the officers of the army points. (Hear.) I will leave him to consider which of
by taking them from their regiments. The result would those two alternatives he thinks best. I can assure him
be a divided authority, and experience had shown the
danger of such a division. The establishment of a staff that the Government have at heart the same object
so earnestly and creditably to himself he has ad.
college would cost a very large sum of money, and he
vocated, and I think, knowing that we both wish the
hoped that hon. members who were so anxious for the
establishment of that system would not hesitate when same end, there cannot be much difficulty is agreeing
they were asked to pay the bill. In Austria, he be- upon the means. (Cheers.)
Sir DE L. EVANS said he was very much gratified
lieved, where such a system existed, the annual cost was
at the spirit in which the noble lord had met his pro-
about 148,0001., and the amount required would be a
position. He had no intention of proposing an unqualified
serious question to discuss in considering the estimate competitive system to be applied to the whole body of
which might be presented to Parliament. No one officers, cavalry and infantry. He wished to see an in-
doubted the advantage of giving an officer as good an fusion of competition in education. He understood that
education as was possible. Education never did any the Government intended to infuse that competition with
one any harm ; but it was very difficult to fix the regard to some portion of the officers of the line, and that
standard, and the house would remember that many men would meet his views. He did not propose any definite
might reach that standard without any of those other or fixed system, and, as the subject was under considera-
qual ties which in the army were particularly required. ties), he would omit a passage in the resolutions which
Mention had been made of the appointment of a chief of he hoped would completely meet the wishes of the noble
the staff, and he would therefore briefly refer to the cub- lord. (Hear, hear.)
j •ct. The appointment of a chief of the staff, was an The resolutions_ were then put and agreed to in this
imitation of the French system, and in the French army form :
the principle was carried to an extreme degree. Nut e That in the opinion of this House a higher standard
only was there a chief of the staff of the army generally, of professional instruction and more complete provision for
but every general division bad his chief of the staff, it than hitherto deeme i requisite ought to bs established
Now, he did not see why a general of division should not for the commissioned ranks of the army, but especially for
be his own chief of the staff and communicate directly the staff; that this will be beostifipoerrosmodted
.by recourse to
with his own quartermaster-general and adjutant-gene- competitive examination of
staff,and by assurinegmeltincgouroaecemaentys
ral. He would only add that he was glad to find that themselves for thel
the general subj et bad excited the attention of the for proficiency and general fitness for advancement:"
Government and that the house had pressed it on, BANK ACTS.
though not unfairly in any way. He hoped, however, Mr. GREER, who had given notice of his intention
that it would net be carried to such an exclusive degree to move an instruction
to extend to the Select Committee on the
as to lead to the idea Veat the practical part of the pro- Bink Acts, directing themtheir inquiry to
fession of an officer, which, after all, was the main thing the operation of any other Acts affecting the currency or
to keep
in
view, was to be subordinate to general educe- banking which might be found to require their special
tion. (Hear, hear.) consideration, having risen to address the House.
Colonel SYKES said, as an old soldier, the great The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated
thing to be attained in the education of an officer was that the committee on the Bank Acts had that day
that he should be competent for the work to which agreed to report to the House the evidence which they
he was to be put. The aim and object of his education had taken, nd it was not their intention to sit again.
Mr. GREER said, that be was about to state that as
should be professional acquirement, and not that he
might became a literary coxcomb. The examination to the committee could not act upon this instruction during
which he might be subjected should be as strictly pro-
the present session, he should withdraw his motion.
fissional as possible, and, above all things, bona fide, for Mr. BUCHA.NAN asked whether it was intended
otherwise it would be a mockery and a delusion. Hay-
that the report of the committee should be published ?
ing passed that examination—not for literary acquire• The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
that the committee had agreed to uo resolution except to
merits, but for professional knowledge—a man entered
the army, and the gallant member (Sir Da Lacy Evans) inform the House that the inquiry was incomplete, and
proposed that there should afterwards be a competitive to recommend the reappointment of the committee nex,
examination previous to entering upon the staff. He session.
(Colonel Sykes) thought that a very desirable arrange-
ment, because hitherto promotion to the staff, as was
well known, had depended entirely on family or pecu-
niary interest, or both, and not upon the qualifications
of the individual concerned. (Hear.) At the same time
he thought such an examination should be general as to
place, and not exclusively confined to aspirants in any
particular locality. It was only fair that officers serving
with regiments in the colonies and other parts of the
world should have equal opportunities afforded them
with those at home, of submitting themselves to such
examinations. In India they had a system of exemina-
lion somewhat analogous to the one proposed. It was
known that no officer could boll a staff appointment
until he had passed an examination, not merely as a
linguist, but as an interpreter, and there were standing
officers appointed in different parts of the country before
whom candidates must appear to undergo such an exami-
nation before they could do staff duty or serve in any
detached employment. He thought that some kindred
Examination might take place with respect to staff
appointments in general. It was not ahsolutely neces-
eary,that an individual should go into a college to learn
the duties of a staff officer. Strategy, for in-tance, and
all that kind of knowledge could be obtained without
without going into a college for the express purpose of
acquiring it. He entirely concurred in the suggestion
that it was impolitic that there should be an indiscrimi

GALWAY WRIT.

Col. FRENCH then moved that a new writ be issued
for the town of Galway, in room of Mr. O'Flaherty,
unseated on petition.
Mr. G. CLIVE moved, as an amendment, that an
inquiry be made into the existence of corrupt practices
during the last as well as former elections for Gal way.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL fur IRELAND was
in favour of issuing a commission.

---I\--ir.WFIITESIDE asked whether it was true that the
Mr. Bruwne reported to have taken an active part in the
bribery professor in Galway CAlege, and if so,
whether Givernrnent thought it was proper to con-
tinue that gentleman in the task of instructing the youth
of Ireland in corrupt prlictices ?
Lord PALMERSTON said that was one of the cir-
cumstances the commission would inquire into.
After some fuitber discussion, the amendment was
agreed to without a division.

COUNTY MAYO.
GO. FRENCH then moved a new writ for the county
Mayo, in the room of Mr. Moore, unseated on peti-

Mr. SCHOLEFIELD moved, as an amendment, that
ac Attorney-General for Ireland be directed to prose-
cute the Rev. Peter Conway and the Rev. Luke Ryan
for their interierence at the election, and that the issue
of the writ he suspended during the present session. He
road from the evidence taken befure the committee that
these R,man Catholic priests had denounced the voters
fur Col. Higgins at the altar. He did not believe that
the heads of the Roman Cltholio Church encouraged
these altar denunciations. Tbie, he said, was not a case
of Protestantism against Roman Catholicism, but a ques-
tion of freedom of election against priestly denunciation.
Mr. MAGUIRE asked the house to listen to him
while he endeavoured to defend his friend Mr. Moore.
He contended that the High Sheriff of the county, who
was the father of Col. Higgins, one of VI:: candidates,
had ex-Ircised the grossest partiality in favour of his son
—instances of which he quoted to the amusement of the

nate comr,e;,iii,e examination hcf re e t rig the
army at all, hut, at the same time he theoght it def,ir-
ab!e that a certain number of c,:rnuti,3iors should

from time to time le given as prizes to persons who
wiAied to enter the army, and who were willing to com-
pete for them. (Hear, heir )
Lord A. CHURCHILL said that an cfiicer should be
above all things a gentleman, if the men serving under
him were to he expected to look up to him, nod cht;er-
fully and explicitly to carry out his orders on al ocea-
f,ims. (Hear.) Ho would do all in his power to forward
the interests of able and deserriug men allying the non-

commissioned officers desircus of rising in their profes-
sion, but he thought, as a class, they were not generally
fitted for that ; and if they were taken out of their
natural sphere tilt: men in V_le ranks would not look up
o them in the same way they did to officers of a supe•
i ior grade by birth and education. He thought, also, it

house.
After a good deal of discussion,
LL.rd PALMERSTON 'aid he would vote for the
amendment to prosecute tilt) priests and suspend the
writ till the question of their guilt was determined,