The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-13
THE ENGLISH ARMY PURCHASE SYSTEM.
The Vote Of Censure on the Government in the
House Of Lords-Sides Taken and Bitter
Words Spoken-The Government
Sustained-Another Libe-
raj Victory.


send you by this mail full synopsis OF the de-
bate las. night IN the House OF Lords the recent
course OF the government in the abolition by royal
warrant Of the army purchase system-
Lord GRANVILLE having proposed 10 postpone the
second reading OF the Army Regulation oil until
alter the vote OF censure had been disposed Of the
Duke of RICHMOND expressed his concurrence in
this arrangement and rose to propose a subsran-
posed as 'rlder' to the second reading. He said
that the abolition OF purchase BY royal warrant,
second reading Of the Army bill, but had only asked
for further information, was event which for I'M
ea nstayv s n
upon their l0rdships corresponding respOn-
sbility 10 maintain the honor and dignity OF
tnat House. Declining altogether TO enter upon the
merits OF the Army BILL he recapltulated the Parlia-
mentary proceedings in regard to that measure,
and briefly sketched the Joint action OF the Execu-
tive and the Legislature in regard to army pur-
chase from It's commencement Under such circum-
stances the Crown ought not to have been advised
to exercise the royal prerogative without reference
to any act Of Parliament Ii the Crown were ad-
been asserted by Lord Granville on the even.
Ing the warrant was signed IL had been improperly
advised, and Her MaJesty's signature mad been i'm
properly obtained. Although 1t was the power
OF the Crown to set up the network or vested Inter-
ests created by army purchase. lie maintained that
the Crown could not alone nero UtOtu, get rid OF
Them and that it was distinct Interference with
the Legislative functions OF their ordshps to take
still before them. Was that House delibera-
tive assembly or not, or was its opinion only to be
ment9 lie asked their lordsnps TO enter protest
as strong and us decorous as Parliamentary usage
allowed against course which threatened to render
all discussion liable to be arrested by the 'Sic U0LO
$40 jI6tO'' OF an imperious Minister.
Lord GRANVILLE, alter pleasant reference to
the brightest gems OF the Dukes speech which he
declared 10 be his quotations from three OF the
speeches OF hts colleagues at the Mansion Huuse, ex-
ahmed the alternatives before the government and
declared that the only course open to them was
to h deal with the y
power they did not exercise 1t SIX months ago; but
would it have been wise to abolish purchase before
obtaining the assent of the House of Commons
Feeling that the effect Of the resolution agreed to
upon the second reading was to parayze purchase
In the army TO dsorganize it's discipline and pre-.
vent the measures necessary for the amalgamatiOn
OF the line and reserved forces the government did
not shrink from the responsibility OF a course
which was after ALL strictly legal and constitu.
tional. After criticlsing tie changes made in the
form and substance OF the resolution now before the
House, he adduced various precedents to show that
purchase had been regulated and abolished by the
authority Of the Crown. Again reminding their
wellington in abstaining from bringing the diner.
ences between the two houses into prominence but
speaking against all hope that similar wisdom would
be shown thai night, he impressvely pointed out
the consequences OF the resolution and Its effect
upon the public out OF doors.
Lord SALISBURY accused the government OF hav-
ing committed grave breach OF constitutional
usage % In having brought army purchase within
wards snapped their fingers in their lordships'
faces when they were outvoted. Examining ana
declaring to be insufficient the preteXts by which
the conduct OF the government had been JusIled IN
calling up dormant royal prerogauve, he ex-
bill the government had not determined issue the
royal warrant but that in SO doing they were &C.
tuated by passion and resentment Lord Granville
having given point TO this charge by Parlla-
mentaiy cheer Lord Salisbury ret0rted that Lord
Granville had been made the reluctant instrument
OF insulting the order TO which he belonged hut
that their lordships knew the dictator under whom
he served. After scathing analysis Of the ma
he asserted was led by Its extreme section,
he argued that under such circumstances the
inence, ana that 1t was their duty to remi, to the
decision OF the constituencies measures passed
under pressure lure, 81 'ns KIND When their lorshps
with the other House he asked whether II was
worth while to retain their power by uniformly act
Ing against their convictions. They complained OF
a great constitutional wrong and misuse by an
imperious Ministry OF the prerogatve OF the Crown.
The resolution was no impractical proceeding, be-
cause might not be followed by the Resignation or
the Ministry, and he described the motion as an
invitation TO the pubic TO Join them In condemning
act which was menace to the independence Of
Parliament and an insult to the acknowledged ana
never misused authority OF the House OF Lords
The Duke Of ARGYLL who characterized Inc spcech
Just delivered as one OF the btterest and narrowest
party speeches. ne nad ever heard defended the con
duct OF the government against the itutonal
and unreasonable vote to which that House came
Lord CARNARvoS claimed for the majority of their
)ordships great moderation in having avertcd
many painful collisions with me other House Tie
suppression OF tnat House whenever their lorlshps
differed from them, but their lordshps' House
always iidu Uccu iIcc, uHu Wnen II ceased
II ought no longer to exist
Lord RoMrLiY stated the reasons when induced
him. with considerable PAIN TO Join the Opposition
peers In protesting against the violent and offensive
mode in which the government had called upon
pressed considerable doubt to the legality OF me
rova warrant, and inquired whether the opinion of
the officers OF the Crown had been taken before
II was issued.
Lord PENzANCE believed that the proper law ON
GERS had been consulted and that the opinion of
Westminster Han were taken 1t would be found that
the act Of the government was perfectly loyal and a
proper exercise Of legal powers.
Lord DERBY, rs his speech ON the Army bin had
been quoted IN Justification OF the abolition OF pur
chase Ivy the royal warrant, said there was q wide
difference between pointing out that certain course
was possible and recommending that It should be
taken. After critlclsing unavorably the course
taken by the government he finally condemned it as
bad In q constitutional point OF view aud worse o.
anL IN