Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-06-27
THE BRITISH MINISTRY.

TaE BRITISH MINISTRY. 90
Prom The Londsa rims, June .. 80
Inc statement made by Lord john Russell last night Ia
the House OF Commons all doubt to the fact
mt The dudes ofthe War Department DO severed
om those OF the Colonial Once, and that fourth Seore
ry OF State Is to DO created by authority Of the Crown
TO conduct that important portion Of military admin
raon which has heretofore devo lived upon tho Coloria
Ainlsies Thus far step Is made in the right direction
ana We are entitled to look with peculiar satisfaction or
inc result OF this DISCUSSION Repeated commission Of
Ministers and general officers have considered reported
on this subject; committees Of the House OF Common.
nave eat and blue books have been printed In vain.-
Even IN the present session. when the occurrence of hos
tihes gave pressing Interest to question: lord Grey
IN the House of Lords, and Nc. Hume and Mr. Rich Il,
ne ionsc OF Coumons appealed to the common OF
me treasury bench string Of arguments to prove tina,
sueh ehange was inexpedient aud impraeticabe The
press however, steadily pursuing line oil
aud supported by the instructive perceptions Of
e country mas succeeded In carrying the point and
was surrounded - - ''''7|'" -
But though congratulate tho country and ourselves
on tue success oil these remonsranec far goes
We are not by any satisfied that the measure an
noaheed out imperecty described last night by Lord
1ohn Russell, Is of and satisfy our lust
eApecmbons. The measure wo require may best be
scroeu in the words Of the resort Of 1881 as 9Th,
consultation OF the civil departments OF the army" aud
would only increase the present anomaly of military
aumihistraton IL Minister Of War-that ia
Minister for all military ars except the command of the
orees-~hout transferring him ul powers over every
cis department OF the service Yet are still left In
douot as TO the position Of the Secretary War who IL
the hnancia minister oil the army, and who viii remain
responsible TO tho House Of Commons Tor estimates which
ne c,hnot determine and for expenses he cannot contrib
The financial department of the army becomes Of course
an important branch of the Ministry of War and the
mead OF that branch might hy b. under Secretary of
Sa'e representing the Office III the House OF Commons
when tue head oil it Is peer. But We hardly
conceive a greater absurdity than leave the war
Office 10 transact its present Of business, with
minister ut its head who Is n member OF the Cabinet
wnie the country would look TO another Cabinet
Minister aud Secretary OF State for all concerns
the civil administration of the army. The report of
1887 distinctly proposed "a the found tion Of the
whole measure that the Office should be merged
IN this new department oil State Iathor that tho War
Office should be extended and raised in its functions and
dignity, so as 10 ncndc under head responsible to
Parliament aud to the country ali various branches
which are nov scattered in half dozen different Offices
from Pail mail to Downing street. 1t is obvious that ono
office efficiently constituted and conducted is far smi-
pier aud powerful engine of government than these
disconnected aud osduae fragments of adm nistraton
Ar Ece pointed out with great clearness the posi-
ton OF The question: and sincerely hope that the gov
ernmen viii not commit tho folly OF attempting halt
measure, when complete and delutive arrangement
alone prove satisfactory to the country.
Lord John equally reserved on the question ofper.
sons as Affected by this new arrangement although
sderatioas OF this nature apt have nience
h'e' tue puONc WliunpN
We apprehend, however, that the Duke OF Newcastle
will retain the Department OF War; to which he has al
ready devoted much labor and attention The Duke
was inquest onably emitted free choice feither mole
~ OF bis former duties for he has held them both with
credit At the present moment there might have been
some disadvantage in abruptly transferring the business
the arm! TO Minister less familiar with the details of the
present expeditions and be surprised that the
Duke has selected the arduous and exciting of the
two pests The government has therefore provide it.
self with Secretary OF State Tor the Colouiss 81
Lord John Russell himself has left honorable traditions
in the Colonial Department. and question whether he
mas succeeded equally well in any other branch of the
public service, although he has tried them ne iy ALL
EVeryOod would see him that Office with pleas
urc and has been strongly urged upon him by his coll
leagues but the leadership OF the House of Commons
TOO arduons task to be easily united ,borous Office
strength is probable that Lord John will decline TO ac
cep duties which he knows by experience to be ncessant
aut severe. Among those members of the whig party
who were unnvodaby left when the present admins
ton was formed, Sir George Grey is perhaps, the
eminent, aud, although lie has peculiar acquaintance
with ITS duties entetIin lte doubt that the seals
the Colonial Department will bs offered him. Without
adding materially 10 the strength of the government Sir
George Grey is de9eTyey regarded by mon OF all parties
with respect and esteem; aud the House of Commons will
view with satisfaction his the front row Of the
Ministerial beaches. Other notifications OF the govern
ment may possibly arise out of this change in the War
Department. Tor although minister l. be appointed
no new place will be created unless the concurrent aud s
petuous post OF the present Secretary War be retain
ed But on these particulars premature enter uu
I'll We have learnt accurately and completely the
ture OF the arrangements which TO be adopted.
4