The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-09 00:00:00

upon the proper scale for that particular year, we do not
tanik, for various reeeines, seine of which I have stated,
that there has been any undue increase in the naval and
ordnance estimate::; and as rer the general estimate:, it
is evident, from the facts which I have stated, that
it is impossible, in respect to them, that we can go back
to the stale of 1835 without an undue re-
duction of our military end naval forces, end the
refusal of many votes for the promotion of education and
other useful purposes—ea course which it would be mo4t
inexpedient to adopt.—(llear, hear.) We, therefore, do
not propose to go back to the estimates of 1835. We
shall be ready, whenever opportunity serves, to make
reducione, but we will not fir the sake of popularity,
or for any other purpose, pretend to make reductions
which we think would be most injurious to the interests
of the empire. The House of Commons, of course, has
its duty to perform, and that duty would not be per-
formed by affirming the resolution of to-night. When-
ever the Minister of the Crown brings forward estimates,
it ought to be the duty of the House to weigh and con-
sider these estimates, and to vote them, not according
to a previous and general resolution, but according to
the wants of the different services of the country, and
their general view of what the interests of the country.
require.—(Hear, hear.) Such is the obligation which
rests on. the House of Commons. There is also an obli-
gation resting on us, to bring forward no extravagant
and excessive estimates. But there is also an equal
obligation upon, us, not to reduce the estimates below
the point which v e think necessary for the mainte-
nance of the honour, the dignity, and the seety of
the empire.—(lTie Lordship resumed his seat amid prc-
longed cheering.)
Colonel SIBTLIORP (who arose amid the cries of a
division) said that he should not -support the party of
the Hon. Member for Manchester, or the party of the
Noble Lord, thinking that it was six of one aad halt-a-
dozen of the other—(Laughter)—lull not having the
slightest confidence in cider.—(Laughter.) He was
curious to know how far the Right Hon. Baronet the
Member for Tamworth would go in supporting the man
of "unadorned eloquence," but as he had no confidence
is either of the contending parties—as ho believed that
they were all rogues and jobbers tog,ethrr—(Graat
laughter)—he therefore thought the best thing he could
do was to take up his hat and tike his leave. [The
Gallant Colonel immediately suited the action to the
word, took up hie hat, bowed ceremoniously to the
Speaker, and then walked deliberately out amid per-
fect peals of laughter.]
The House then divided, when there appeared--
For the amendment ... ... 89
Against it ... 272
Majority against the amendment ... --183
The House then went into Committee, Mr. BERNAL
in the Chair.

Me. F. MAULE then said that at that late hour he
should merely propose the' vote for the number of men
for the service of the year, without entering into any
lengthened details in justification of that var. Last
year the number of men proporel had amounted to
103,000 ; and his Hon. Friend the Member for Mon-
trose had then moved that the number should be reduced
to 100,000. Bat the present vote was merely for 99,128
men. Ile had further to observe that the vote did not
always show the actual amount of the force to he
maintained ; and the fact was, that 'the estimate r f the
present year showed a reduction of 14,719 men, as com-
pered with the number in 1848-49. It was said, how-
ever, that while they reduced the number of men they
made no reduction in the number of officers. But in the
present estimates there was proposed a reduction of not
less than 128 officers, with a reduction of 4,000 men.
He had further to observe, that so tar war, it from being
true that the number of officers had been mere than
proportionably increased as compared with the increase

in the flambe; of men, that the fact was, that while in
1835 the proportion had been one officer to 17 men, the
proportion at present was one officer to 20 men; and
since 1835 there bai been au increase made of only one
officer to 150 mile. was no advocate for keeping up an
undue number of officers; but he was still lessen advoetee
for reducing them: to.the number barely sufficient fur
commanding tl e men in existence at the time; because
it should be apparent to every one that the must econo-
mical mode of maintaining the force at all times was to
keep it in such a position that if al exigency arose it
could be increased in the shortest possible time at the
least possible expense. The Coromit:ee would find that
the estimate under that bead at present, as compared
witi the estimate of hst year, consisted of a reduction
of 4,12 G men. In efneting that reduction they had
struck off the second battalions crea AI in the year 1815;
and they bad adopted that course b,caase they had
f mad that the second battalions did not completely au•
swer the objects for which they had been formed, and
that the men in those battalions lacked the comforts
which it was desirable that every member of the army
should possess. With these few brief explanations he
should move a vote of 99,128 men for the land service
during the year.
The vote having been put foam the chair,
Mr. HUME said he thought that his Right Hon.
Friend had shown no reason why they should then vote
a number of men so much larger than that voted in the
year 1835, and in the three or four subsequent years.
He felt, however, that the subject was one which they
could not fully discuss at that late hour, and he should
therefore move that the Chair:nal should report progress
and ask leave to, sit again.

Mr. F. MAULE said that ho was prepared at any
moment to justify the vcto.
Mr. B. OSBORNE said he she•uld he prepared to show
that a considerable reduction might be effected in the pro-
posed number of men. But he felt that they had arrived
st too Eta an hour to render it possible for them pro-
p«rly to discuss the question that evening, and he there •
tore supported the proposal of his ion. Friend.
Lord J. RUSSELL intimated that be should not ob-
ject to the motion.

- The CHAIRIIAN then reported progress, and ob-
tained leave to sit again.
The Turnpike Road and Bridge Trusts (Ireland) Bill
passed through Committee.
In reply to a question from Mr. GROGAN,
Lord J. RUSSELL said he should leave t`)e Parlia-
mentary Electors (Ireland) Bill on the paper for Monday
evening; but ho should not bring it on at a late hour.
In reply to a question from Mr. GOULBURN,

Lord J. ILUS7-SELL said be should bring on the Navy
Estimates after the two first votes on the Army Esti-
mates should havo bocn disposed of.
The House ndjourncd at 1141-past Twelve o'clock.

COWES, ISLE OP WIGHT.
(raoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
COWES, MARCEI 9.
ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON INTELLIGENCE.
RESIGNATION OF TILE VICE-CONIMODORE.—Sir
Bellingham Graham has resigned the office of Vice-
Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, and notice
has been given to the members that another will be
elected at the May meeting. C. M. TalhoP,
the Marquis of Conyughatp, and G. H. Acker, Eiq.,
are mentioned es likely parties to be elected ; each
have sp!enclid yachts. That building for Lord
Conyng,ham is to be ready fir sea early in May, and
is considered to be the finest sea beat White has
built ; she is 225 tons, and] is to be schooner-rigged.
Be the gentlexnan selected to fill this high and
honourable office who be may, he cannot do more
than the late Vice-Cuinmodore did to torward the

itverest of the Squadron. Tne Flirt was the first afloat,
acid the last to l up ; her worthy owner was always
Rt the station; there was hardly a day passed but he
was at the Squadron-house, and he always conducted
himself in so agreeable a manner to all that he was
a general favourite
TuE EAST COWES PUBLIC HEALTH

Ranger, the superintendent-inspector, opened his
court at the Medina Hotel, on Tuesday, and has
been since daily inspecting the state of the town,
and hearing evidence. He seems the right sort of
gentleman for the office ; he will not quarrel with
anybody, nor allow anybody to quarrel with him,
and thoroughly understands the business he is sent on.
REDUCTIONS IN TIIF ARMY.—A number of men
are daily passing through this town, discharged from
the different regiments at Parkhurst Barracks. Men
of good character get 2/. given m, and their
passages paid home.
The Hermann American steamer is just repoeed
in sight.