The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-07-26
GhpgntelEgettter.
British Army Reform.

one after another the special privileges
orrhe English aristoCraCy are fallig away
before the persistent democratic tendency
ol the people and the government. Since
,hr close Of the American war the sut-
trace of England has been materially lib
rr,Iilcl, and even now the present Minis.
NV stands committed to the adoption Of
Tie ballot. The slight qualification which
vet excludes manhood suffrage will prob
ably be removed before long, and general
suffrage with the ballot will be the eman'
rpati0n Of the masses from the present
control of the landed monopolists, The
Church, the army, and the colonial service
have been the three asylums for the scape-
traces and vagabOndS oil wealthy families
The Irish Church was famous place into
which TO appoint young men who would
marry the daughters of such OF the noble
Amilies as could not offer very large Tor
tunes. Livings in the Irish Church was
purchased, and with a daughter ola noble
house, any respectable clergyman would
receive one of these livings instead of
money dover. The duties Of u minister
Of the Established Church Of Ireland
WAS not so arduOus as to require either
much ability, personal attention, or even
A permanent residence. The duties could
he easily performed by deputy. The dis.
establishment OF that Church was resisted
by the English Lords and gentry, not be-
cause Of any particular reverence for the
Church, but because it destroyed one
means orproviding places for their chill
rcn.
Thcncxt and much sGverer blow Ia the
abolition of the sale and purchase of
army commissions. 1t was in the army
the greatest abuse was praCticed. No at.
rcntion whatever was paid to the charac'
ter fitness, or qualification. The drunken,
gambling, licentious sons OF the nobility
and shoddy aristoCracy and purse.proud
,asses were ioisted upon the army by
means OF the purchase system. Any
,callawag or worthless spendthrilt could
bc made an officer in the British army
provided he had q rich father.
The Gladstone Ministry made up their
minds that the time had come to abolish
this intOGrAble nuisance and dangerous
evil With this object in view-a rclor.
nation of the military Organi2ation-N
hill was formed, which provided Tor re-
rrcment Of those officers holding conf
missions by purchase who were not com.
pclcnt and not fit for duty; but treated
them literally, givingto them M cquiya.
lent in money or pension equal to the
cash value Of the commissions, which
wrr, estimated to be worth forty millions
NJ dollars
This reform was essential to the rcOrga.
niIaliOn OF the army on an efficient basis;
and, though 1t involved m expenditure Of
many millions by the government, such is
the condition of the British army that n
reform is imperAtivCly demanded, The
English people have been thoroughly
aroused to the fact that their army Is, per.
mps, the worst organized military cstab.
lsimcn In Europe, and that the Battle
oi DOrking" Is by no means either an I'M
possibility or imprObability.
The bill, ms presented by the Ministry,
was vigorously resisted by tho OppOsl.
ton, and by many Liberals interested
in retaining the purchase system
Nevertheless, the bill passed by vote
Of !s0 to @3l. In Que course OF pro
cccding 1t reached the House Of Lords,
where it was promptly rejected lhat
body was not any more prepared for this
daring abolition Of lOng.COntnucd
nrivilprns and noironage and they sCOrn.
i'mn"IiSoo' ny ~ Iiin;'t., ;TLn IN ,vos
returned to the Commons, and the Tory
n,riv vpro Inokinp either TO n defeat
p"Y ,i.,o,;"r 81 ;ho M;ris,rv nr tnn
hhu IeSlBhntluii VI tho "i,I'9''y "
dissolution OF Parliament when MIR. tlau'
stone astOundCd the country by the an.
,,,,,,,oa,,,o,,, ~ ,I,o co,,n n Fiat ,vhprnhv
,hc 0na"n oCiin" unon ihc advice Of her
Ministers Ind Cancelled The royal license
%r ,ho tronSCor or commissions nv sale
" Nv nnrchasc The effect Of this net up.
on Hose holding commissions with view
=" tHcir Money vnlue ia startling, Such
rommissi"ns Hcing M Longer negotiable,